Vehicle sensing system utilizing smart pavement markers
OwnerJames Candyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A roadway system is described, consisting of enhance, smart pavement markers. These smart pavement markers contain elements such as motion sensors, solar cells, radio receiver/transmitters, active lighting and processing capability. These markers can be configured in many ways, including as vehicle speed sensors, and information display systems. Such pavement marker systems can be installed with little or no roadway infrastructure preparation and may be useful for traffic data collection, law enforcement, and vehicle safety applications.
Claims20
A vehicle speed sensing system comprising;
- at least one smart pavement marker sensor unit, comprising a pavement marker body, a solar cell, a radio unit, a battery, battery charging circuit, and at least one component of a motion sensor, and a control unit;
- wherein,
- the pavement marker is arranged adjacent to vehicle traffic on a road, and is adapted, to sense the passage of a vehicle and thereby calculate the vehicle speed and transmit information related to the vehicle speed by radio;
- and,
- at least one component disposed to receive the vehicle speed information and take action in response to the speed information.
A vehicle speed sensing system comprising;
- at least one smart sensor unit, comprising a solar cell, a radio unit, a battery and charger, at least one component of a motion sensor, and a control unit;
- wherein,
- the sensor unit is arranged adjacent to vehicle traffic on a road, and is adapted, to sense the passage of a vehicle to thereby calculate the vehicle speed and transmit information related to the vehicle speed by radio;
- and
- at least one component disposed to receive the vehicle speed information and take action in response to the speed information.
A method for monitoring and reporting traffic flow at a plurality of locations, comprising;
- installing solar powered, intelligent, wireless-communications-enabled vehicle speed sensing systems at each monitored location,
- computing and updating a parameter of traffic flow based on monitored vehicle speed at each location and,
- accessing the parameter through the wireless communications link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.