Vibration actuated traffic monitoring system

A method of monitoring moving vehicles, the method comprising:

• detecting a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground, the vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over one or more grooves formed in a traffic-bearing surface;
• producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;
• comparing the pattern of signals to a reference pattern;
• converting the pattern of signals into a control signal if the pattern of signals matches the reference pattern;
• determining whether a speed of the vehicle exceeds a speed limit based on the detected vibrations;
• and
• triggering a camera in response to the control signal and the determination of whether the vehicle exceeds the speed limit to capture an image of the vehicle.

A method of monitoring moving vehicles, the method comprising:

• detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, wherein the vibrations are incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator;
• determining whether a vehicle travels into an intersection in violation of a traffic signal;
• and
• triggering a camera to capture an image of the vehicle if the vehicle violates a traffic signal wherein the vibration generator incites a pattern of vibrations which triggers a control signal if the pattern of vibrations matches a reference pattern.

An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles comprising:

• a vibration generator extending across a traffic-bearing surface for generating a pattern of vibrations;
• a vibration receiver for detecting the pattern of vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over the vibration generator;
• a processor for converting the pattern of vibrations into a control signal and for producing a violation signal when a speed of a vehicle exceeds a speed limit;
• and
• a controller to trigger a camera in response to the violation signal.

An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles, comprising:

• a geophone capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;
• a processor to convert the pattern of signals into a control signal and for producing a violation signal when a vehicle traverses an intersection in violation of a traffic signal;
• and
• a controller to trigger a camera in response to the violation signal.

An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles, comprising:

• a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection, the surface having a predetermined number of grooves to produce a pattern of vibrations;
• a geophone positioned proximate the traffic-bearing surface, wherein the geophone is capable of detecting the pattern of vibrations incited by the grooves and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;
• a processor to convert the pattern of signals into a first control signal and to produce a second control signal when at least one predetermined condition is met;
• and
• a controller to trigger a traffic device in response to the first and second control signal.