Systems and Methods for Traffic Control During an Evacuation
OwnerBrad Cross, Terry Fryarinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Traffic controls systems, and methods of their operation, that are designed to provide for unique traffic control in the event of an evacuation by utilizing existing signal lights and a priority system which grants vehicles priority based on the needs of an evacuation traffic flow, as opposed to traditional traffic flows. These systems will typically be arranged to maximize traffic flow into and along a known evacuation route while still recognizing that vehicular traffic along other routes, and even opposing routes, particularly for emergency vehicles, is necessary.
Claims18
A method for assisting a traveler to reach an evacuation route, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of travelers, said plurality of travelers traveling toward an evacuation route via a plurality of different paths each of said paths meeting at least one other path at an intersection, each of said travelers having a location and direction of travel;
- evaluating said location and direction of travel of said travelers to determine a selected path in said plurality of paths which would get said traveler to said evacuation route;
- assigning a priority to said traveler for said traveler go through said intersection based at least in part on said selected path;
- and
- altering a traffic signal at said intersection based on said assigned priority.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.