Pavement marker modules
AssigneeEvolutionary Markings, Inc.
InventorsThomas R. Linville, Douglas L. Baker, Charles L. King
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A traffic control system and method in which a sensor and processor interact with at least one road module to illuminate and/or cause to flash in response to predetermined road surface and/or traffic conditions. The system and method can be configured to interact with vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, traveling on the road in which the road module(s) are embedded. The road surface and/or traffic conditions include an EMS vehicle located in proximity to a fire hydrant, vehicle located in proximity to a bus stop, a vehicle located in proximity to an intersection with a bicycle and/or pedestrian path intersecting with said road in which said road modules and/or one or more light strips are embedded.
Claims16
A method of providing enhanced traffic signaling in response to road surface conditions and/or traffic conditions, said method comprising the following steps:
- the step of providing a plurality of road modules and/or one or more light strips, wherein said road modules and/or one or more light strips comprise a light configured for illumination and de-illumination, wherein said road modules and/or one or more light strips are embedded in or affixed to the surface of a road in a road lane designated for vehicles traveling in a first direction, wherein said road modules and/or one or more light strips comprise a receiver configured for communicating with a processor, wherein said road module is configured to illuminate, change color, or flash in response to said response to said communication from said processor;
- the step of providing at least one sensor configured for detection of a vehicle traveling in a direction generally opposite to said first direction;
- the step of providing at least one processor in connection with said sensor and in connection with said plurality of road modules and/or one or more light strips, wherein said processor is configured to activate said lights of said road modules and/or one or more light strips to illuminate when a vehicle is traveling in said road lane in a generally opposite direction to said first direction;
- the step of sensing via said sensor a vehicle traveling in said traffic lane in a generally opposite direction to said first direction and sending a signal via said processor to said road modules and/or one or more light strips to illuminate and/or flash in response to said vehicle traveling in said road lane in a generally opposite direction to said first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.