WO1999044185A1 - Traffic guidance system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a traffic guidance system for regulating, guiding and/or optimising traffic movements. A sensor is provided for detecting the momentary traffic situation. The aim of the invention is to control traffic movements effectively even when there are large volumes of traffic. To this end, the invention is characterised in that the sensor has a radio receiver and/or a receiver for optical signals and/or a receiver for acoustic signals for receiving the radio signals and/or optical signals and/or acoustic signals emitted by road users.

Description

 "Traffic control system"

The invention relates to a traffic control system for regulating, guiding and / or optimizing traffic movements, a sensor being provided for recording the current traffic situation.

Traffic control systems of the type in question are known from practice. For example, a traffic light system, the signal sequence of which is controlled by motor vehicles that drive over a magnetic induction loop, is already a traffic control system in a small style, the magnetic induction loop serving as a sensor.

Furthermore, variable speed limit signs are known from practice, the sensor system here being able to be formed by acoustic or optical ultrasound motion detectors or infrared motion detectors or else by light barriers.

In dense traffic networks there is the general problem that the flow of traffic in one place is mostly dependent on the flow of traffic in other places. If the overall flow of traffic is to be improved here, it is therefore necessary to influence the traffic in these other places as well. Traffic control devices or traffic signs must then interact as a whole and have a specific dependency.

These dependencies are usually determined in complex mathematical studies and simulations and must then be applied to the interaction of the traffic signs. Various steps are required for this. The traffic volume or the traffic situation and the traffic conditions have to be detected at certain locations via sensors. These results then serve as a basis for decision-making in a logical process that provides instructions for controlling the traffic signs. The above-mentioned control of a traffic signal system at an individual traffic node or at a traffic intersection or junction represents the simplest application. All traffic signal systems are then controlled as a function of one another at such a traffic intersection. In the most complex application, groups of many traffic signs are switched in mutual dependency. Several traffic nodes or traffic intersections are included. Traffic control computers that are provided in a central traffic control center are usually used for such networking. The mathematical treatment or process control of the traffic control is so complex for larger and denser traffic areas that only large computers are able to process the huge amounts of traffic data that are susceptible here and to carry out the control in the context of the previously very complex mathematical traffic models.

The central traffic regulation in traffic control centers requires numerous and wide telecommunication connections between the traffic signs and a traffic control center. However, independent control of individual traffic signs at connected traffic nodes or sections of a traffic route - as is known from traffic theory - can hardly improve the traffic situation. The coherent traffic situation of larger traffic areas - for example in cities - has so far only been able to be significantly improved with the help of the complex control described with central traffic control centers.

For effective traffic management, it is also necessary that almost every vehicle that takes part in traffic is taken into account in the control. With the sensors used to date in the form of induction loops to be driven over, motion detectors or light barriers, it is problematic that their registration capacity is limited to a narrowly specified spatial area, namely, for example, the arrangement area of the induction loop to be driven over or the detectable solid angle of the motion detectors or the irradiated one Area of the light barrier. On the other hand, it is problematic with the known sensors that reliable detection of motor vehicles is only possible when traffic is moving. If there is already a traffic jam caused by heavy traffic, where the vehicles are parked, both in- WO 99/44185 _ g _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

Production loops as well as motion detectors and a light barrier do not detect any further increase in the number of motor vehicles in the traffic area under consideration or in traffic jams. The same situation arises in motor vehicles in front of a traffic light system.

The consequence of this is that, particularly in times of traffic that is already congested, no exact data regarding the number of motor vehicles involved can be recorded. As a result, precise traffic management is usually not possible due to the inaccurate or incomplete data. Rather, the limits of conventional traffic management systems with a resulting traffic collapse have been reached.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a traffic control system of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which an effective control of traffic movements is possible even in the case of heavy traffic.

The above object is achieved by a traffic control system with the features of claim 1. According to this, the traffic control system in question is designed such that the sensor has a radio receiver and / or a receiver for optical signals and / or a receiver for acoustic signals for radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals emitted by the road users.

In the manner according to the invention, it was first recognized that a traffic control system is not limited to the conventional types of detection. In a further inventive manner, the sensor is then designed such that it has a radio receiver and / or a receiver for optical signals and / or a receiver for acoustic signals for radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals which are active by the road users be sent out. This overcomes the limits of conventional types of detection since the detection of motor vehicles or other road users does not depend on their state of motion. Rather, it is possible with the detection principle according to the invention to reliably detect any vehicles, even if they are in front of a traffic light system or in a traffic jam, for example. Of WO 99/44185 _. _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

furthermore, the spatially narrow detection area, such as is present in a light barrier system, is considerably expanded. The detected spatial area can be predefined in a simple manner by the configuration of the receiver or the spatial receiving area.

Consequently, with the traffic control system according to the invention, much more precise data regarding the number of road users involved can be recorded, which results in a significantly more meaningful database for a traffic control system than was possible with conventional traffic control systems. In particular, accurate data acquisition is possible even when the traffic is stationary.

The traffic control system according to the invention therefore specifies a traffic control system in which an effective control of traffic movements is made possible even in the case of heavy traffic.

With regard to a particularly simple embodiment of the traffic control system, the sensor could be assigned to a traffic sign, preferably a light signal system. This would make separate sensor carriers, for example carrier masts, superfluous in an inexpensive manner.

To ensure reliable detection of road users, road users could be assigned radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters to transmit the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals. The transmitters could be assigned to motor vehicles of the road users and / or arranged on them. This would result in a connection between the transmitter and the motor vehicle, so that the transmitter is always ready for use when the respective motor vehicle is used. This means that the road user would not have to take the transmitter with him every time he uses the motor vehicle.

With regard to a particularly inconspicuous and compact installation of the radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter, the transmitter could be used as assemblies or as modules in telecommunication devices, in telemetric devices, in radio devices or other electrical devices - -

Devices be integrated. Integration into, for example, cell phones is conceivable. Known cell phones, for example, transmit radio signals at regular intervals for localization by the network operator. These radio signals could be used in the context of the traffic control system according to the invention for the detection of the road user. Overall, the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals could be provided as periodic transmission pulses with predefinable transmission frequencies.

With regard to a particularly comfortable operation of the traffic control system, the sensors could be assigned radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters, process units with memories and switching devices. The recording and processing of the traffic data or the current traffic situation for the control of the traffic signs, for example several light signal systems of a traffic node, could thus take place directly on site in the respective traffic node. The traffic data for traffic management could be collected and processed completely decentrally by the sensors, preferably the radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals.

In particular with regard to a particularly safe function of the traffic control system, the radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals could be designed to detect and preferably store the signal pulse rates and their changes and / or the reception power and their changes. Preferably, regularly transmitted transmission impulses of the traffic participants moving past a traffic sign or standing in front of a traffic sign or moving towards a traffic sign at a distance could be registered. The processing could take place by an internal comparison on each traffic sign or by a comparison between interdependent traffic signs in a traffic node. For this purpose, the transmitters and receivers of traffic signs that are to be switched as a function of one another, in particular traffic signs of a traffic node or a section of a traffic route, could be designed for wireless communication with one another. Processing could take place at certain time intervals or continuously. WO 99/44185 _ _ß _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

In traffic management, the respective speeds of the road users and / or their group speeds could also be taken into account in a particularly effective manner. This could be done, for example, by radio transmission, optical or acoustic transmission of the current speed value of the road user to the radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals from the sensor. On the other hand, the radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals could be designed to detect and preferably store the Doppler shift of the signal frequencies of the moving road users and thus the state of motion of the road users. This would enable the sensor to automatically determine the speed of road users. The road users would then not have to be trained to transmit their speed value by means of the radio link, optical link or acoustic link.

In order to implement a particularly versatile and comprehensive traffic control system for a larger traffic area, predefinable groups of mutually dependent traffic signs, preferably groups that can be assigned to different traffic nodes or sections of traffic routes, could be networked with one another and / or mutually influenced by the traffic flow on the traffic routes. This would make it possible to use the road users themselves to transmit data from one group of traffic signs to another group or to other groups of traffic signs. Further signal transmission devices would then not be required and the total radio traffic volume and / or optical and / or acoustic signal volume could be limited to spatially narrow areas, for example an area narrowly delimited around the group under consideration.

In particular, the radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters could be assigned radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals, process units with memories and switching devices. Ultimately, the radio transmitters assigned to the road users and / or traffic signs could and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters and radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals can be designed as radio relays and / or optical signal relays and / or acoustic signal relays. This would allow data transmission and / or transmission of switching signals in any manner via traffic signs and road users.

With regard to a particularly sensitive traffic management, the signals of different groups of road users could preferably be different depending on the situation. It would be conceivable that, for example, public transport, based on its specific radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals, would be classified as preferred road users and accordingly routed with preference. If the respective motor vehicles used as public transport are no longer in use, the signals could be modified accordingly, so that priority no longer has to be given to traffic management.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the predefinable switching behavior of the traffic signs could be influenced by radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals. In particular, a privilege signal is thought of, for example, by police vehicles, by fire engines or by ambulances. This would allow safe passage of such privileged vehicles at intersections, since intersecting traffic could be stopped automatically by means of the appropriately controlled traffic signs.

In a further comfortable and effective embodiment of the traffic control system, the switching of the traffic signs could take place on the basis of a comparison of the recorded traffic data and / or recorded weather data. The control of traffic could be made dependent on individual weather situations. For this purpose, the radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals could be used in a particularly reliable and practical manner for the detection and preferably storage of the field attenuation of the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals from preferably the road users and thus the Weather- - ö -

Situation, especially the snow, rain and fog situation. Depending on the characteristic attenuation of the signals, the density of snow, rain or fog can be determined, for example. The signals could be sent on the one hand by road users who take part in traffic with motor vehicles, and on the other hand by road users who are traveling by bike or even on foot. To record the weather situation, the signals do not necessarily have to come from drivers, but could also come from other road users whose signals could differ from the signals from the drivers. The recording and evaluation of the weather situation is therefore independent of the traffic volume generated by the motor vehicles.

The switching behavior of the traffic signs could be effectively influenced by an optimization process. The optimization process could be a variation method of the parameters influencing the switching process. Traffic parameters could be considered as parameters, taking the weather situation into account.

With regard to a particularly fast control process, the switching of a traffic sign which is dependent on another traffic sign could be able to be effected by the other traffic sign. In particular, fast privilege signals would be transferable without going through a processing process.

Overall, the traffic control system could be constructed as a neural traffic control system. The usual functional principles of a neural network are used here.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the traffic control system could additionally be constructed as a navigation system for road users. For this purpose, the radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters and radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals from traffic signs for communication with radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters and radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals WO 99/44185 _ _g _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

and / or receivers for acoustic signals from road users and vice versa. On the other hand, a pure navigation system would also be conceivable without the traffic management through the recording of traffic data, in which case the functions described below could be implemented.

Programmable information about geographical and / or topological properties of the traffic routes, in particular information about traffic destinations of the road users, could be stored in a central manner in a memory. It would be of particular advantage that not every road user would have to carry geographical and / or topological data, which are usually stored on a compact disc.

The memory for the information could be assigned to at least one traffic sign in a particularly simple manner. This would make it possible for a requesting road user to call up the signal within a short signal link.

The information about traffic destinations could be stored in groups which are assigned to traffic destination directions. The road user could then be directed in the direction of the destination desired by him, with other possible destinations in this direction also being transmitted to him for advertising purposes. It is intended for commercial companies such as retail stores, which can be stored in the information store for a certain fee. The query by the road user could also be made subject to charges, so that one or both of the last-mentioned measures would make it possible to finance the operation and update of the memory. A further traffic control function would thus be implemented using the navigation system.

The results that are available when the sensors determine the weather situation could also be made available to a road user on demand. The traffic control system could thus also be constructed as a weather information system. This query could also be designed for a fee. Here and in the case of the navigation system, the WO 99/44185 _ -JQ. PCT / DE98 / 02739

Query on a mobile phone, the network operator could charge the fees.

With regard to a comprehensive use of the traffic control system, an electronic device could be provided which is characterized by a radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals for radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals emitted by the road users is. Such devices could easily be used as retrofit components for traffic signs already used.

Furthermore, electronic devices could also be provided, which are characterized by a radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter on the side of the road user for transmitting radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals for the traffic control system. This would also provide an ideal retrofit option for motor vehicles.

To supplement the understanding of the traffic management system described above, some particularly important aspects of the traffic management system are explained in more detail below:

The radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters of the road users could be integrated in a very simple manner into radio receivers or traffic telemetric devices such as GPS navigation devices or telecommunication devices. All road users could emit the same radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals in a particularly simple manner. This affects the form of the signals and their transmission frequency. In a simple case, a pulse sequence with periodic transmission pulses could be used, which are transmitted on a single, very narrow-band transmission frequency.

The above description particularly concerns road traffic. However, the invention is also applicable to other traffic areas with means of transport WO 99/44185. , _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

applicable in traffic flows or traffic networks that can be designed according to the invention.

In road traffic, different groups of road users could, for example, according to their type, e.g. pedestrians or motor vehicles, according to the type of vehicle, e.g. passenger cars or trucks, buses and trains, or according to their task, e.g. passenger or freight traffic, private or commercial traffic, individual traffic or public traffic , Transport services, cleaning services, clearing services, police services, auxiliary services, emergency services etc., are taken into account separately. For example, police or rescue services could use special operational signals to prompt traffic signs on their way to unlock the passage.

At certain times of the day, individual or public passenger transport could take precedence over commercial freight. This would be particularly advantageous for commuters during peak traffic times or could control heavy goods traffic through cities during traffic times that are more acceptable to the residents of the traffic routes.

When designing the radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters and radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals as relays, road users could firstly receive information about the traffic situation from or via a traffic sign the relevant traffic route or in the section of the traffic route or in the traffic node by means of a signal. These signals could be repeated until new information is received by the road users and thus transmitted to the next traffic sign. For this purpose, the road users could send the information permanently or they could only send the information when they detect a signal receiver of a traffic sign. To this end, the signal receivers could make themselves noticeable by emitting radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals. This would have the advantage that other information than just the number of inflowing, outflowing, pending or passing traffic participants could also be taken into account for controlling the traffic signs. For example, information about cross traffic or other competing traffic at other locations, for example at previous traffic nodes, could be transmitted in this or in other traffic routes. Integral information or an accumulated information about the course of the previous traffic on the traffic route of the road user could also be transmitted as information. This could, for example, be a brief piece of information that provides information that there is a traffic jam at the traffic node that was previously passed through. Accordingly, the traffic signs in a larger traffic area could carry out the traffic management in such a way that the traffic node at which the traffic jam is present is bypassed.

In particular in the case of relay-like information transmission by means of the road users, a stronger coupling possibility or networking possibility with regard to the individual sections of the traffic route and / or the individual traffic nodes could be realized among one another. This could, for example, favor main traffic routes at different traffic times over other traffic routes.

Furthermore, the transmitters of the traffic signs could transmit information to incoming but still distant road users, which indicates the traffic situation at the next traffic node or in the next traffic route section. In particular, this information could include a behavioral request to the road users, for example the best possible speed of movement. This could support the intelligent control of the traffic signs at the traffic nodes or on the sections of the traffic routes in order to thereby further optimize the traffic flow.

The transmission powers could be set so low that only the traffic signs responsible for a traffic route section or traffic node can receive signals from the traffic participants from this section and thereby other traffic signs further away from possibly other traffic route sections or other traffic nodes which remain unaffected should not be influenced. In order that the traffic on individual, different and certain traffic routes or the traffic in a certain direction of movement can be registered selectively, the transmitting and receiving systems could be equipped with antennas for the transmission and reception of the road user signals and for the transmission of information for the road users, which can only send or record signals in or out of the traffic route in question or in or from a specific direction of the traffic route in question. For example, horn antennas are particularly suitable for high signal frequencies in the microwave range.

The use of antennas with certain limited solid angles for transmitting or receiving can serve in particular to obtain further information about the traffic situation. If, for example, the signals of the road users are detected separately from one direction or from both directions of a traffic route, a statement can be made about the state of motion of the road users via the Doppler shift of the reception frequencies or from the splitting of the reception frequency band in question. In particular, stationary traffic or moving traffic can be recognized and the speed of movement of the road users can even be determined.

This has the advantage that the traffic control system according to the invention can detect traffic jam situations and can transport and distribute this information about the road users. In this way, the self-control of the traffic control system can be influenced. Furthermore, traffic monitoring, for example speed monitoring, could take place automatically at the traffic signs in question.

With regard to the determination of the weather situation by damping the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals, the transmission frequency could be selected in such a way that the signals of the road users are subjected to a particularly high attenuation by, for example, water molecules. It must be assumed here that the transmission power of the road users' transmitters is constant and standardized. A corresponding field attenuation of the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals gnale then allows conclusions to be drawn about the presence of rain, fog or the risk of snow and ice.

In the simplest way, the field attenuation could be determined by normalizing the integrally registered received power of the transmission pulses by means of the integrally registered transmission pulse rate. As a result, the average transmission power of a road user after the field damping of his radiation at the receiving location could then be compared with the same theoretical quantity without field damping, which is known because of the standard transmission power of the road users. The field attenuation and subsequently the average rain or fog density can be determined from the comparison because of the potential-like distance dependence of the received power. A more precise method would include the change sizes.

Suitable frequency ranges are, for example, ranges in which there are water absorption resonances or high scatter cross sections for the radiation. For example, this would be the 24 GHz range and higher radio frequency ranges. In particular when using the traffic control system according to the invention for traffic control in connection with traffic signs which regulate, for example, the speed of traffic or no overtaking or road closures, considerable safety advantages result from the consideration of the weather situation.

In a further embodiment of the traffic control system according to the invention, the traffic control function could be supplemented by a navigation function for the road users. The memory assigned to the sensor could not only include traffic data, but also information about the traffic routes, for example directions to traffic route connections, traffic route nodes and sections of traffic routes. In addition, predeterminable traffic destinations could be stored, for example certain facilities along the traffic routes such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, sights, or for example commercial facilities such as shops, businesses, banks, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, petrol stations, information points, or public facilities such as eg theaters, casinos, museums, art galleries, churches, sports facilities, swimming pools, zoological gardens, schools, university institutes, parking garages, authorities, ministries, hospitals, spa facilities, parking facilities, police stations, military facilities, train stations, airfields and the like. In the context of material traffic in production facilities, the position of warehouse departments, storage compartments, processing lines, assembly lines, sorting devices, packaging devices, measuring and testing devices, shipping outlets or the like could be stored. This information can be accessed at any traffic sign of the traffic area under consideration.

Every road user who wants to use the navigation aid indicates his traffic destination to his appropriately designed transmitter. This can be the name or the address of the traffic destination. The transmitter can then send the destination request to the traffic sign, which may have stored the traffic destinations in groups, at regular intervals or continuously or when a predetermined distance to a traffic sign has been reached. The predeterminable distance can be recognized by signals of the traffic sign. The respective groups can be assigned to the traffic directions in which the road user has to move in order to reach the desired traffic destination.

Upon request, the sender of the traffic sign sends back to the recipient of the road user the directional information or movement information that the road user must follow on or after the traffic sign. In particular, the direction information - as described above - can take into account the local traffic situation and local traffic conditions in order to alternatively change a direction instruction, for example to avoid traffic congestion or bad weather areas and to bypass them. Furthermore, visitor traffic can be directed to its traffic destination on certain main traffic routes, whereby certain areas of the traffic area - for example residential areas - can be relieved and calmed down. The invention offers the great advantage for the road user that he does not have to have any geographic map material for the traffic area visited, especially since such material is often out of date after a short time because of a change in the traffic network or the traffic routing and may therefore be unusable. However, the memory of the traffic signs can be updated at any time WO 99/44185 _ ₁ g _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

Be brought up. This could be done, for example, by radio transmission and / or optical transmission and / or acoustic transmission to the preferably addressable traffic signs.

The signals for the switching instructions which are sent from one traffic sign to other traffic signs can differ from the signals of the road users and from those which are intended for the road users and can be transmitted on different transmission channels and with different transmission frequencies and methods.

The traffic control system can be equipped with a plurality of transmission channels for the switching signals and for the traffic information and the navigation information. For this purpose, the individual traffic signs and the facilities of the road users can be designed to be addressable. Information about the traffic situation or switching instructions or navigation information can then be addressed or transmitted in a targeted manner according to certain transmission methods, for example digitally and coded. As an example of the required communication between the traffic signs, a broadcasting method ("token ring" method) could be used. As an exemplary embodiment of a radio configuration, the radio transmission method could be based on the decentralized radio transmission method, which is described in German patent applications 195 35 021.9, 197 20 236.5 , 19726 956.7 and 196 08846.1.

The functional units of the traffic signs, which can be constructed from radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals, radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters, process units with memory and switching devices, is used to switch the traffic signs certain switching behavior is programmably impressed. For example, the switching behavior could be predetermined so that it meets certain optimization requirements. The switching behavior or the switching parameters such as the switching times, the switching frequency, the switching times, etc. could or could be set so that the swelling or decay, i.e. for example the change in the transmission pulse rate and the absolute strength of the transmission pulse rate, which the Emp - is received, minimized as much as possible. This would correspond to a flow of traffic that is as fluid as possible. In particular, each individual functional unit could align its switching behavior with traffic information that is transmitted to all dependent functional units.

This could, for example, be the sum of all registered individual transmission pulse rates and / or individual changes in the transmission pulse rates of the individual traffic signs. As a result, all functional units would have the same information for decision-making and a competing switching behavior for the individual traffic signs could be prevented, which would lead to an unstable behavior of the traffic control and traffic flow.

This switching behavior could develop in such a way that each functional unit finds the most favorable setting itself in a "try and error" process by varying the switching parameters and tests it in an action-related manner. There would then be a variation method in which each functional unit can vary all switching parameters Varying the switching parameters by the individual functional units of the traffic signs, for example a traffic junction, could be carried out using a predeterminable method, in which only so many and certain functional units would vary the switching parameters simultaneously or successively that the optimization would be carried out as efficiently as possible Exchange radio information and / or optical information and / or acoustic information.

These settings of the switching parameters could be roughly specified by settings which the functional unit has already used in similar traffic situations and which has been remembered. For this purpose, such data about the traffic situation and the switching parameter settings applied to it must be saved. The functional units of the traffic signs or the group of traffic signs, for example a traffic junction, in which a mutual connection takes place, are therefore capable of learning.

If a functional unit of a traffic sign decides to switch over after the logical process, then it sends switching instructions to certain dependent traffic signs on the channels and intended for this purpose switches itself at the same time. The dependent traffic signs are then switched over at the same time. Each traffic sign has the option of switching over all other dependent traffic signs, for example of the traffic node. As described above, the switchover is carried out after an optimization process with an optimization basis that is the same for all functional units.

The functional unit groups of the different traffic nodes and the different traffic route sections together form a neural switching network. The functional unit groups of a traffic node or a traffic route section form neural switches (neurons) which are networked by the traffic rule itself and are stimulated by the connected traffic volume or the traffic flow. It can be expected from theoretical investigations that this neural traffic control system system independently optimizes the entire traffic flow in its area. The invention can optimize the traffic situation or the traffic flow in large traffic areas by itself without external traffic management and solve large, interrelated traffic problems. This results in particular from the fact that the huge amounts of traffic data required for solving traffic problems or optimizing traffic can be completely decentralized, distributed in small amounts, collected individually in all traffic nodes and traffic route sections and processed there directly, and the entire traffic control system system as a neural network has roughly the same processing power can generate, as is common in conventional large computers.

The advantages of the traffic control system described arise on the one hand in the economic and on the other hand in the technical area. With the invention, traffic control systems with preferably combined navigation and weather warning systems can be provided much more cost-effectively in terms of basic installation and operation than has been possible hitherto, since no central traffic control devices with controlling large computers and the necessary operating personnel are required. Furthermore, no separate telecommunications network is required to connect to the traffic sensors and traffic signs in traffic routes. WO 99/44185 _ - | _g _ PCT / DE98 / 02739

Existing traffic signs can be converted with the invention into components of an intelligent traffic control system, and the required sensors can be equipped with very inexpensive receivers. The existing traffic signs can thus be upgraded and do not have to be replaced. Furthermore, expensive cable connections in the lanes between the dependent traffic signs, for example a traffic junction, can be avoided. In particular, the traffic control system according to the invention can be used to implement a very cost-effective navigation system which does not require any route measuring devices on the side of the road user, satellite-supported position measuring devices, visualization components, complex processor and storage units and geographical map material in, for example, electronic storage media, as a result of which the associated costs can be avoided.

In the technical field, the traffic control system according to the invention has resulted in a considerably more flexible traffic control system than previously used traffic control systems. It can react flexibly to different traffic conditions and traffic situations at different traffic times and to weather conditions automatically and self-regulating. Furthermore, it can react locally to the requirements of individual road user groups in general or in certain situations. In particular, it can, for example, integrate pedestrian traffic - preferably via cell phones - into cities and direct visitor traffic to its destinations. It also increases the safety of road users in certain exceptional situations, such as in special emergency traffic or in bad weather situations. Such conditions cannot be recognized and regulated flexibly enough by previous traffic control systems. In particular, the invention can be used to implement an integrated weather warning system and an integrated navigation system which can be used via telecommunication devices such as, for example, mobile telephones and is thus also available to pedestrians in addition to road users such as drivers. The system is networked in a particularly simple manner by the moving traffic itself, which can even serve as a carrier for further traffic information. This avoids networking via telecommunication devices. WO 99/44185. ₂ Q. PCT / DE98 / 02739

In a simple case of involving road users as carriers of the traffic information, sensors with radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals could firstly determine the average speed and / or the traffic volume and / or the weather situation on a road in one direction determine. If a traffic jam situation or another unfavorable traffic condition develops at this measuring point, the information about this could be transmitted by the radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals from the sensors by radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals the oncoming traffic in the opposite direction, ie in the direction from which the traffic originally viewed comes. Functional units of the oncoming traffic participants would serve as moving relay stations, which preferably have only a short transmission and reception range, but could also transmit the information over long transmission distances due to their movement and a possibly repeated transmission of the information. Radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals of, for example, traffic signs, which are arranged in an area previously traveled by the traffic in question before the traffic jam situation or the other unfavorable traffic condition, could thus transmit the information about the traffic jam situation or record the unfavorable traffic conditions and, for example, reduce the speed limit value on the traffic signs - in front of the traffic jam area - or effect a traffic diversion. This would help to clear the traffic jam or to circumvent the unfavorable traffic conditions and make the traffic flow more fluid. In this example, in particular the group speed of the traffic flowing in one direction could be determined.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the road users of the traffic originally considered could themselves be the recipients of the information transmitted by oncoming traffic about the traffic jam situation or the unfavorable traffic condition. The information therefore does not have to be transmitted to road users via traffic signs, but can be received directly by a road user functional unit, for example arranged in the motor vehicle. This functional unit can now become a road user prompt the appropriate reaction - for example, reducing the speed or changing the direction of travel - and / or trigger such a reaction automatically. The automatic process could include an intervention in the brake system, in a cruise control system and / or in the accelerator pedal position or could be taken into account within a guidance process of a navigation system.

Conventional traffic control systems, for example radio-controlled light signal systems at pedestrian crossings or construction sites or radio-controlled variable traffic signs such as variable speed limit signs are known in practice. However, these are devices in which only the route between the central traffic control center and the traffic sign is overcome by means of radio transmission. This avoids expensive cable connections.

Overall, the traffic control system according to the invention provides an alternative, very effective and highly flexible traffic control system for improving the traffic situation in traffic areas, in which all traffic-relevant parameters are taken into account. The high outlay for setting up conventional traffic control systems with traffic control centers and telecommunication connection networks is avoided.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Traffic control system for regulating, guiding and / or optimizing traffic movements, a sensor being provided for recording the current traffic situation, characterized in that the sensor is a radio receiver and / or a receiver for optical signals and / or a receiver for acoustic signals for through the road user has transmitted radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals. 2. Traffic control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is associated with a traffic sign, preferably a light signal system. 3. Traffic control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the road users are assigned radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters for transmitting the signals. 4. Traffic control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter motor vehicles assigned to the road users and / or are arranged on them. 5. Traffic control system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters are integrated as assemblies or as modules in telecommunication devices, in telemetric devices, in radio devices or other electrical devices. 6. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals are periodic transmission pulses with predefinable transmission frequencies. 7. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensors radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter WO 99/44185 _ ^ _ PCT / DE98 / 02739 and / or acoustic signal transmitters, process units with memories and switching devices are assigned. 8. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the traffic data for traffic management are collected and processed completely decentrally by the sensors, preferably the radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals. 9. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals for the detection and preferably storage of the signal pulse rates and their changes and / or the reception power and their change are. 10. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter and radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals of traffic signs which depend on each other are switched, in particular traffic signs of a traffic junction or a section of a traffic route, are designed for wireless communication with one another in particular. 11. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals for detection and preferably storage of the Doppler shift of the signal frequencies of the moving road users and thus the state of motion of the road users are trained. 12. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that predeterminable groups of interdependent traffic signs, preferably groups that can be assigned to different traffic nodes or sections of traffic routes, are networked with one another by the traffic flow on the traffic routes and / or can be influenced by one another . 13. Traffic control system according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals, process units with memories and switching devices are assigned . 14. Traffic control system according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the radio transmitter and / or traffic sign associated radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter and radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals are designed as radio relays and / or optical signal relays and / or acoustic signal relays. 15. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the signals of different groups of road users are preferably different depending on the situation. 16. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the predetermined switching behavior of the traffic sign can be influenced by radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals. 17. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the switching of the traffic signs takes place on the basis of a comparison of the recorded traffic data and / or recorded weather data. 18. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals for detection and preferably storage of the field attenuation of the radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals are preferably trained by the road users and thus the weather situation, in particular the snow, rain and fog situation. - cO - 19. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the switching behavior is influenced by an optimization process. 20. Traffic control system according to claim 19, characterized in that the optimization process is a variation method of the parameters influencing the switching process. 21. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the switching of a traffic sign which is dependent on another traffic sign can be effected by the other traffic sign. 22. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it is constructed as a neural traffic control system. 23. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that it is additionally constructed as a navigation system for road users. 24. Traffic control system according to one of claims 2 to 23, characterized in that the radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter and radio receiver and / or receiver for optical signals and / or receiver for acoustic signals of traffic signs for communication with radio transmitters and / or optical signal transmitters and / or acoustic signal transmitters and radio receivers and / or receivers for optical signals and / or receivers for acoustic signals from road users and vice versa. 25. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that programmable information about geographical and / or topological properties of the traffic routes, in particular information about traffic destinations of road users, can be stored in a memory. 26. Traffic control system according to claim 25, characterized in that the memory is assigned to at least one traffic sign. - _-o - 27. Traffic control system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the information about traffic destinations is stored in groups which are assigned to the traffic destination directions. 28. Traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that it is additionally constructed as a weather information system. 29. Electronic device, characterized by a radio receiver and / or a receiver for optical signals and / or a receiver for acoustic signals for radio signals emitted by the road users and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals for a traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to 28 30. Electronic device, characterized by a traffic transmitter-side radio transmitter and / or optical signal transmitter and / or acoustic signal transmitter for transmitting radio signals and / or optical signals and / or acoustic signals for a traffic control system according to one of claims 1 to