Stop sign with traffic control features
OwnerMark Lamonchainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling traffic at an intersection are provided. A controller receives data from a vehicle detection device indicating a presence or non-presence of vehicles within a first area forward or adjacent to the stop sign. The controller receives data from a cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating a presence or non-presence of vehicles within a second area rearward of the stop sign. Where data is received indicating the presence of at least one vehicle within the first area and the non-presence of any vehicles within the second area, the controller commands a traffic signaling device for the stop sign to temporarily cease providing the wait signal and instead provide the proceed signal.
Claims20
A traffic control system comprising:
- a stop sign;
- a traffic signaling device associated with the stop sign and configured to selectively provide a wait and a proceed signal;
- a vehicle detection device configured to monitor a first area forward or adjacent to the stop sign;
- and
- a cross-traffic vehicle detection device configured to monitor a second area rearward of the stop sign;
- a controller configured to:
- receive data from the vehicle detection device indicating a presence or non-presence of vehicles within the first area;
- receive data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating a presence or non-presence of vehicles within the second area;
- where data is received indicating the presence of at least one vehicle within the first area and the non-presence of any vehicles within the second area, command the traffic signaling device to temporarily cease providing the wait signal.
A system for controlling traffic at an intersection, said system comprising:
- a number of traffic control devices, each associated with one of a number of stop areas of said intersection and comprising:
- a stop sign;
- a traffic signaling device configured to selectively provide a wait and a proceed signal;
- a vehicle detection device configured to monitor a first area forward or adjacent to the stop sign;
- a cross-traffic vehicle detection device configured to monitor a second area rearward of the stop sign;
- and
- a controller in electronic communication with the traffic signaling device, the vehicle detection device, and the cross-traffic vehicle detection device, wherein said controller is configured to:
- cause said traffic signaling device to normally provide the wait signal;
- receive data from the vehicle detection device indicating a presence of non-presences of one or more vehicles within the first area;
- following receipt of data indicating at least one vehicle within the first area, cause the cross-traffic vehicle detection device to check the second area for a presence or non-presence of one or more vehicles;
- following receipt of data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating the non-presence of any vehicles within the second area, command the traffic signaling device to temporarily provide the proceed signal instead of the wait signal.
A method for controlling traffic at an intersection, said method comprising the steps of:
- commanding a traffic signaling device associated with a stop sign and associated with a stop area of the intersection to provide a wait signal;
- electronically receiving data from a vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a vehicle within a first area forward of the stop sign;
- electronically receiving data from a cross-traffic vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a presence of one or more vehicles within a second area rearward of the stop sign;
- commanding the traffic signaling device to continue providing the wait signal;
- electronically receiving data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating a non-presence of any vehicles within the second area;
- and
- commanding the traffic signaling device to temporarily provide a proceed signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.