RU2125295C1 - System for traffic regulation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: road equipment. SUBSTANCE: device has central computer which gathers information about traffic conditions which are read by video cameras which are mounted by road. Motor transport vehicles are equipped with computer which are connected to central computer by radio link for exchange on signals about traffic conditions for visual displaying of received data which contain information about traffic jams, theirs causes, duration and optimal route to reach destination. Load of central computer is decreased by regional base computers which are located in various districts of city and which inputs are connected to separate groups of video cameras and outputs are connected to input of central computer. Electric circuits between outputs of video cameras which are located by traffic lights and inputs of base computers are equipped with switching assemblies which input is connected to electric circuit for turning green light of traffic lights on through timer which delays arrival of signal for time required for acceleration. EFFECT: increased functional capabilities, decreased cost for manufacturing, development and operations. 5 cl, 4 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to a system for regulating the movement of vehicles. It concerns the detection by drivers of the traffic situation in the surrounding areas in order to choose the optimal driving route.

 The relevance of this problem is obvious, especially for large cities, especially in adverse weather conditions. Regardless of the reasons for the congestion, it is important for the driver to make an informed decision on the choice of the route, the uninterrupted continuation of which has a beneficial effect on the driver, especially if he himself made the right decision.

 It is known, for example, from a patent N 5515285, issued in the USA, a system for monitoring cars in a crisis situation, providing alarm signals to the driver about such a situation. Such a system in many cases should cause excessive nervousness for drivers, and for its functioning it contains, in addition to a signaling device, an indicator of the mentioned signals and a signal transmitter to the monitoring site, as well as a system processor that controls the signal transmitter.

 In 1991, Japan filed application N 3-250277 for measuring equipment for the movement of cars in a tunnel, the details of which are given in patent N 5353021, issued in the United States. The video camera of the system gives a signal about moving cars, processed to obtain output information, which allows first of all to monitor their speed, while the image received by the video camera is converted for subsequent recognition by adaptive quantization. In this case, it should be noted the limited functionality of the equipment, if only because it is not provided to bring traffic information to drivers.

 In 1992, Japan filed Application No. 4-110311 for a method and device for measuring traffic flow, on the basis of which Patent No. 5402118 was issued in the United States. The functionality of such devices is wider and achieved, in particular, as the use of a data processing system for controlling the movement of vehicles by analyzing their images and their movement with the allocation of certain features of the image and determining the location of the image in the image, and the use of reflected signals to control the receiving devices, while audio feature counters of electric pulses. The consumers of this method are primarily researchers, not participants in the movement.

 In turn, in the United States, patent No. 4812843 was issued for an affordable telephone system that provides the consumer with an indication of the location of a vehicle to control their movement by analyzing their combined traffic and responding to signals about traffic conditions on the highway with the transfer of information from a local station. This system is aimed at an individual consumer having any of a set: a mobile phone, pager or computer, on the scoreboard of which the mentioned information is displayed. The system is so wide that it provides, in particular, information about aircraft flights, but an excess of information is not always a boon, especially in the face of such a specific problem as reaching your destination along the optimal route.

 In 1992, a number of applications were filed in Japan (N 4-106415, N 4-185235 and N 4-228751), on the basis of which US patent N 5554983 was obtained, which describes an image-based identification system and a system for detecting movement disorders. It is the use of the image of the object and its recognition by machine that extremely complicates the equipment used and, in essence, gives little to the subscriber.

 A known system for regulating the movement of road vehicles containing a transmitter and a receiver of signals about the characteristics of its movement (see, for example, patent N 5283573, issued in the United States under CL. 340-937).

 In this system, as a transmitter, video cameras are provided that are sensitive to the presence and parameters of the vehicle’s movement, the signals from which are processed, in particular, to determine the flux density of a moving vehicle, that is, traffic monitoring is provided. The main attention is paid to the installation of the transmitter precisely at the street intersection, as well as at the intersection with several intersections for controlling the intersection with determining the duration of the phases of the full switching cycle depending on the density of traffic flows and traffic intensity. A monitor of essentially a stationary type is provided as a signal receiver, if only because the entire system is designed to control movement not by traffic participants, but this narrows its functional capabilities, while the costs of its production, installation and operation are relatively high.

 From the international publication WO 90/05969, IPC G 08 G 1/09, an application for the issuance of a title of protection, a vehicle traffic control system is known that includes a transmitter and signal receivers on the characteristics of this movement, which are pagers that display on the display road network indicating the speed of vehicles, determined using infrared sensors installed on bridges over the carriageway connected to a computer installed on a cent traffic jam warning station.

 Despite the relatively low price and low maintenance costs for subscribers, that is, for vehicle owners, pagers are not widely used to assess the situation on the roadway, as they are not able to indicate the optimal route for the subscriber in a rapidly changing situation on the roadway . In addition, information about the situation on the roadway, obtained using infrared sensors, is insufficient for an accurate and accurate judgment on the characteristics of traffic and the correct choice of the route to the intended point.

 From the international publication PCT 095/24029, IPC G 08 G 1/0967 there is known an information system for regulating the movement of road transport, containing regional base processors for collecting traffic information, a central computer to which regional base processors are connected, a transmitter and having it radio communications personal computers installed on vehicles of subscribers specialized in the visual reproduction of information about the situation on the roadway. The base processors receive information from a weather station that provides information on air temperature, road surface condition, the presence of wind, rain, snowfall, from sensors that record the speed of the traffic flow, on road works, on traffic congestion, on parking opportunities. However, the information received from these sensors is insufficient to obtain a complete and reliable picture of the situation on the roadway and its possible change for taking appropriate measures.

 The problem solved by the invention is the expansion of the functionality of the road traffic control system with optimal costs for its production, installation and operation by obtaining more complete and accurate information about the situation on the roadway, which helps to more efficiently distribute traffic flows and more efficiently assist subscribers during their trip in personal vehicles on the streets in heavy traffic.

 To solve this problem, a system for regulating the movement of road transport, containing regional base processors for collecting traffic information, a central computer, to which regional base processors, a transmitter, and personal computers specialized on visual reproduction of information installed on vehicles of subscribers are connected to it, are connected to it about the situation on the roadway, according to this task is equipped with installed on the roadway for receiving images orozhnogo transport cameras having communication with regional processors base, wherein in the electric circuits between the outputs of video cameras, located at a traffic light, and inputs processors located commuting equipment to a control input connected to an electric circuit included in the green traffic light signal.

 The presence in the road traffic control system of video cameras that receive the image of road transport allows you to get a complete picture of the situation on the roadway, which is very important for assessing the situation at intersections and at pedestrian crossings, especially at the places of installation of traffic lights that delay the movement of road transport.

 The presence in the electrical circuits between the outputs of the video cameras located at the traffic lights and the inputs of the base processors, to which the video cameras are connected, switching equipment with a control input connected to the green enable signal in the traffic light, frees up the base processors from receiving and processing a television image during a stop vehicles with a red traffic light, which reduces the load on the base processors and, in addition, reduces the likelihood of false drove a traffic jam of vehicles.

 In the electrical circuit connecting the control input of the aforementioned switching equipment with the electrical connection circuit in the traffic light of the green signal, it is rational to install a time relay that delays the signal.

 The presence in the electrical circuit connecting the control input of the switching equipment with the green light signal in the traffic light, a time relay that delays the signal for the time required to disperse the vehicles after they stay at the traffic lights when the red light is turned on, makes it possible to calculate in the base processors, the speed is not arbitrary, but the steady movement of vehicles, and due to this get a more reliable picture of the traffic flow.

 Regional processors can be equipped with databases of average values of the speed of vehicles at different times of the day with a green traffic light.

 The presence in the base regional processors of these databases allows you to compare the current speed of vehicles with their usual speed and thereby give a more accurate assessment of the situation on the roadway, since knowing only one current speed is not enough to make a correct judgment about the traffic flow, since on streets and highways, the average speeds of vehicles even at the same time of day are not the same.

 It is advisable to provide regional processors with such a program, which includes transmitting to the central computer the values of the current vehicle speed detected in the regional processor by the image supplied by the video cameras, and issuing a signal about traffic congestion at a current speed value less than the threshold value in the database.

 The presence in the base regional processors of this program makes it possible, in addition to issuing to subscribers information about the current speed of vehicles, to promptly also give warnings about a possible congestion in any part of the carriageway for their timely change of the route.

 An even greater expansion of the operational capabilities of the traffic control system to satisfy various requests of subscribers at optimal costs for its production, installation and operation can be achieved by transmitting information to subscribers from an additional transmitter located in the immediate vicinity of the subscriber’s vehicle.

 To this end, the traffic control system can be equipped with regional base computers with integrated processors in them, connected via radio stations to specialized personal computers of subscribers, which are equipped with the means for selectively outputting information from central and regional computers. Moreover, this system can be equipped with video cameras having a direct connection with the central computer.

 In FIG. 1 shows a fragment of a system for regulating the movement of road transport.

 In FIG. 2 shows another fragment of a motion control system.

 In FIG. 3 shows the following fragment of a motion control system.

 In FIG. 4 shows a traffic control system that takes into account the presence of traffic lights on the roadway.

 The traffic control system of the road transport contains a multimedia central computer 1, which is in electrical communication with video cameras 2, which serve to control the movement of vehicles 3. Subscribers using the services of this system are equipped with signal receivers from the central computer 1, made in the form of a multimedia personal computer 4, specialized on the visual reproduction of information about the situation on the roadway using their monitor. The transmission of signals to personal computers 4 is carried out by means of radio communication 5 using a transmitter, namely a radio station 6 located in the city territory 7. The carriageway 8 located on this territory serves to move 9 subscribers' cars on it. In these vehicles 9 there are said specialized personal computers 4 having means for receiving signals from a central computer 1 and transmitting signals 10 to a road traffic monitoring station to determine the location of subscriber’s automobiles using automobile satellite navigators or by radio direction finding. The signals received by personal computers 4 serve to inform subscribers about the situation in sections 11 of the carriageway, along which the route of movement of the car 9 belonging to the subscriber is laid.

 The system works according to the type of regional paging provided to subscribers for a fee, and each subscriber has his own personal code.

 The situation on the carriageway of the city, that is, on its streets, avenues, highways, alleys, suburban highways, at intersections and squares, is determined using a variety of video cameras 2 located on buildings, bridges, masts. From the video cameras 2, the signal enters the central computer 1, where the speed of vehicles, traffic density and other traffic characteristics that are of interest to subscribers are detected by the image given by the cameras. The central computer 1 also receives other traffic information, for example, from the city traffic police about traffic accidents, from the city weather station indicating weather forecasts or warnings, for example, about icing up of the carriageway, from the city hall about traffic sections of the carriageway that are closed to traffic due to with repair or marches of demonstrators. The information collected and processed in the central computer 1 through the radio station 6 through radio 5 is transmitted to specialized personal computers 4 located in the vehicles of 9 subscribers. Information on the situation on the carriageway of the city is visually reproduced on the computer monitor 4, which is given in the form of a map showing the location of the subscriber’s car on it, the direction of its movement, the speed of the traffic flow on the carriageway sections through which the route is laid, and traffic jams on the carriageway, their reasons and duration, while the subscriber is offered in the prevailing situation on the carriageway the optimal driving routes, taking into account traffic congestion and its condition, for example, th flooded areas in connection with the flood. By pressing another key in the keyboard of the computer 4, the subscriber can also receive information from other sources, for example, from the city road service, from the local municipality, directly from the state traffic inspectorate. The presence of all this information and recommendations serves as a guarantee of a safe and quiet trip of the subscriber.

 The motion control system in addition to the central computer 1 contains regional core processors 12 (Fig. 2). Separate groups of local video cameras 14 are connected to the processors 12 via wired electrical communication 13, which are installed in a separate area of the city near the carriageway 15, on which the vehicles 16 are located. The processors 12 have a wired electrical connection 17 with the processor 18 of the central computer 1. In addition, the traffic control system with the processor 18 have a wired electrical connection of the video camera 2 located in the territory adjacent to the central tracking station, on which the central computer is located 1.

 When the motion control system is in operation, the processor 18 receives from the video cameras 2 located on the territory near the central station and the signals from the base processors 12 located at the substations, into which the signals from the video cameras located in separate areas 14 are received and processed. Information collected in the central computer 1 4 subscribers are finally processed and with the help of radio communication are sent to specialized personal computers with a notification about the situation on the carriageway of the city and recommendations for avoiding danger ny sections of roads and the choice of the optimal route.

 A motion control system, a fragment of which is shown in FIG. 3, is equipped with regional base computers 19 with integrated processors 12. Each computer 19 has a radio communication 20 through a radio station 21 with the above-mentioned specialized personal computers of 4 subscribers. In this case, the computers of 4 subscribers are equipped with means for selectively receiving information from the central computer 1 and from the regional base computer 19.

 The alternate reception of information from the central computer 1 and from the base computer 19, which provides operational information about the current situation on the carriageway in the area through which the subscriber’s car moves, enables the subscriber to imagine a more complete picture of the situation in the city, especially in the surrounding streets, and thereby avoid congestion on time.

 In this road traffic control system, presented more fully in FIG. 4, the central computer 1 is located in the control room at the central station for monitoring the situation on the roadway of the entire city. To the inputs of the central computer 1 shown in FIG. 4, connected are located at the substations auxiliary, namely, regional basic multimedia computers 22, 23, 24, collecting and processing information about the situation in certain areas of the city. The base computers 22, 23, 24, their inputs are connected to a group of video cameras 25, 26, 27, located on the roadway on buildings, bridges, masts for monitoring the movement of road transport. At the same time, several video cameras with lenses pointing in different directions to observe different sections of the roadway located at the intersections can be installed near intersections. The said camcorders have a wired connection 28 with the base computers.

 With the outputs of the central computer 1, the above-mentioned specialized personal computers 4, installed in the vehicles of subscribers, have radio communication, designed specifically to provide subscribers with information about the situation on the carriageway of the city and issue verbal or card recommendations regarding the route of the subscriber. Personal computers 4 due to radio communications have the ability to continuously receive encoded signals about the situation on the roadway from the central computer through the radio station with the possibility of visual reproduction of the received information on the monitor, for example, traffic jams, their reason, duration. In this case, the monitor shows the preferred route to the intended point, providing a detour of sections of the carriageway, which slowed down or stopped the movement of vehicles.

 In the electrical circuits 29, 30 between the outputs of the video cameras 31, 32 located at the traffic lights 33, 34, respectively, and the inputs of the base computers 23, 24, respectively, with which the said cameras are connected, a switching apparatus 35, 36 is located, the control input of which is by the electric circuit, respectively 37, 38 is connected to the corresponding electrical circuit (not shown) of the inclusion of a green signal at each traffic light.

 In the electrical circuit, respectively, 37, 38, connecting the control input of the switching equipment, respectively, 35, 36 with the electrical circuit in the traffic light of the green signal, a time relay is installed, respectively, 39, 40, delaying the signal for such a time interval that is necessary and sufficient to accelerate to a steady state the speeds of those vehicles that remained at the traffic light when its red signal.

 Basic computers 23, 24 are equipped with databases of average values of the speed of vehicles at different times of the day with a green traffic light. These databases are different for summer and winter time.

 Basic computers 23, 24, in the memory of which the above databases are stored, are equipped with a program that includes transferring to the central computer 1 and from it to specialized personal computers of 4 subscribers the values of the current vehicle speed on those streets and highways through which the subscriber intends to pass , and the issuance of a signal about traffic congestion on the roadway with a current speed value less than the threshold value in the database, taking into account possible allowable deviations to the smaller side of the current road Orosti compared with the average.

 The action of this vehicle traffic control system is based on the principle of regional paging for a fee paid by subscribers. Moreover, each subscriber, as mentioned above, has his own personal code.

 Video cameras 25, 26, 27, as well as 31, 32, installed near the carriageway of the city, continuously monitor the situation on it and send its image to the base computers 22, 23, 24. Moreover, from video cameras 31, 32 located at traffic lights 33, 34 , the image of the carriageway enters the base computers 23, 24 through the switching equipment 35, 36 only when the traffic light is green with a delay in signal arrival using the time relay 39, 40 for the time required to disperse the vehicles after they have been parked at the traffic light when it is red signal.

 In basic computers 23, 24, by matching the empty carriageway with its current image, the vehicles on it are selected and their speed, traffic density and other parameters characterizing the traffic are determined. In this case, in the event of a significant change in the situation on the roadway, that is, deviations in the characteristics of the road from normal, for example, in the case of a significant decrease in the speed of the traffic flow or its termination, the time of occurrence of this event, i.e., congestion on the roadway, is recorded.

 The processed information obtained by means of video cameras from the base computers 22, 23, 24 is sent to the central computer 1. In the central computer 1, all information received on the situation on the carriageway of the city as a whole, including weather, is collected, completely processed and generalized. conditions on blocked streets in connection with the repair of the roadway or, for example, in connection with the procession of demonstrators. On the basis of all the information received, the central computer generates encoded signals about the situation on the roadway, which are continuously received via radio communication by specialized personal computers of 4 subscribers installed in their vehicles. Reproduction of the received information on the monitor is carried out by the subscriber either in a constant mode or, if necessary, at his command by pressing the corresponding key. At the request of the subscriber, an image of a city map appears on the monitor indicating the location of the subscriber’s vehicle, direction of travel, distance to the intended point, nearest gas stations, traffic flow on other streets, traffic congestion with a notification of their cause and duration, recommendations are made relative to the preferred route to ensure minimum fuel consumption or due to the abnormal situation in the city on the roadway, hydrochloric congestion, natural disasters or social disruption. By pressing other keys, said computer 4 can serve as a receiver of information from the city’s road services, from the state traffic inspectorate, from the city hall, municipalities and other organizations related to the roadway and traffic.

 Such a system for regulating the movement of vehicles, using video cameras to obtain complete information about the situation on the roadway, processing it in basic computers, collecting and finally processing information in a central computer, and transmitting it via radio to subscribers who have specialized personal information in their vehicles for receiving information computers that reproduce on the monitor all information about the situation on the carriageway of the city, gives the subscriber a complete picture of the situation and the roadway. It provides the subscriber with comprehensive information directly and indirectly relating to the situation on the roadway, helping him to make the right decision regarding the route of travel, guaranteeing him a safe and calm trip and timely arrival at the intended point. The use of such a traffic control system enables road services to rationally distribute traffic flows in the city and thereby maintain a high traffic intensity with minimal risk of traffic congestion and incidents, which helps to solve the very urgent task for large cities to improve road safety.

Claims (6)

 1. A system for regulating the movement of road transport, containing regional base processors for collecting traffic information, a central computer to which regional base processors, a transmitter and radio communications with it are connected, personal computers installed on vehicles of subscribers specialized in visual reproduction of information about situation on the carriageway, characterized in that it is equipped with installed on the carriageway to receive images of road transport in deokamerami having communication with regional processors base, wherein in the electric circuits between the outputs of video cameras located at traffic signals, and inputs processors located commuting equipment to a control input connected to an electric circuit included in the green traffic light signal.  2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that in the electrical circuit connecting the control input of the aforementioned switching equipment with the electrical connection circuit in the traffic light of the green signal, a time relay is installed that delays the arrival of the signal.  3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the regional processors are equipped with databases of average statistical values of the speed of vehicles at different times of the day with a green traffic light.  4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the regional processors are equipped with a program that includes transmitting to the central computer the values of the current vehicle speed detected by the image given by the video cameras, and issuing a signal about traffic congestion at a current speed value less than a threshold value in the database.  5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that it is equipped with regional base computers with the indicated processors embedded in them, connected via radio stations to the mentioned specialized personal computers, which are equipped with means for selectively outputting information from central and regional computers.  6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that it is equipped with video cameras having direct communication with a central computer.

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