Vehicle Proximity Detection and Indication Devices and Methods

A method of sensing and indicating proximity of a vehicle to a stationary reference location, the method comprising the steps of:

• using a sensor mounted at the stationary reference location, automatically monitoring a proximity of the vehicle to the reference location as said vehicle approaches said reference location, and during said monitoring:
• detecting that the vehicle has entered a first subsegment of a first segment of a defined space leading up to said reference location, and in response, illuminating a first light source of a series of light sources in a first colour at a visual indicator for providing vehicle operator feedback on the proximity of the vehicle to the stationary location;
• for each of a number of additional subsegments of the first segment that combine with the first subsegment of the first segment to define the first segment of the defined space, detecting that the vehicle has entered said additional subsegment, and in response, illuminating a sequentially adjacent light source of the series of light sources in the first color;
• detecting that the vehicle has entered a first subsegment of a second segment of the defined space, and in response, illuminating a sequentially next light source of the series of light sources in a second colour distinct from the first color;
• and
• for each of a number of additional subsegments of the second segment, detecting that the vehicle has entered said additional subsegment, and in response, illuminating another sequentially next light source of the series of light sources in the second color;
• whereby the latest color to be illuminated at the visual indicator provides indication of the current segment reached by the vehicle, and a count of the light sources illuminated in said latest color provides indication of how far the vehicle has reached into the current segment.