WO2013058648A1

WO2013058648A1 - Traffic control system

Info

Publication number: WO2013058648A1
Application number: PCT/NL2012/000063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis VAN MELICK
Original assignee: Van Melick Dennis
Priority date: 2011-10-21
Filing date: 2012-10-22
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: NL1039127C2

Abstract

A traffic control display is described, comprising a plurality of pixels that can be controlled for transmitting at least three different colours of light, particularly red, yellow or orange or amber, and green. The display is further provided with a control member for controlling the individual pixels. The control member can operate in a traffic light mode, wherein an image of a circle is always shown in green light, an image of a triangle is always shown in orange light, and an image of a square is always shown in red light, possibly combined with a pictogram indicating a target group such as pedestrians or bicyclists.

Description

TITLE: Traffic control system

The invention relates to a system for controlling traffic flows by means of light emitting elements. In this context the word "traffic" is used to mean the traffic of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, busses, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. For controlling traffic, traffic lights are of course known: an assembly of a red, a yellow or orange, and a green lamp, which are sometimes arranged below each other and sometimes next to each other. However, for people with colour blindness it is not always clear whether traffic light are being used, and what the momentary colour of the traffic light is. Furthermore, the versatility of this system is limited. A same objection relates to the known matrix panels, consisting of a matrix of multiple lamps next to each other and above each other against a black background, wherein, by selectively switching individual lamps on or off, one can display a number for indicating a maximum speed, or a cross or an arrow for indicating that a traffic lane is open or closed.

The present invention intends to provide an improved system, that is clearer and can fulfil more functions.

To this end, a traffic control system comprises a system of multiple-colour displays, wherein each display comprises a plurality of image elements with high light output, hereinafter indicated as pixels. By way of example, the pixels can be implemented by multiple-colour LEDs, or by a group of multiple LEDs with mutually different colours. The invention is already embodied by a single display, but in principle the system will have a display per traffic flow.

Figure 1 schematically shows a front view of a traffic control display 1 according to the present invention. The traffic control display 1 comprises an array of multiple pixels 10 arranged in for instance a rectangular pattern or, as shown, a triangular pattern. For sake of clarity, only part of the pixels 10 is shown. Each pixel 0 is arranged for transmitting light of at least three different, individually selectable colours, particularly red, yellow or orange or amber, and green, wherein it is also possible that for instance additional colours are available, such as blue or white.

Each pixel 10 can comprise three light generating elements 11 , 12, 13, as shown, for instance LEDs, but it is also possible that a pixel comprises a multiple-colour LED. Further it is possible that the pixels can generate three colours (for instance red, yellow, blue), and can generate further colours (for instance green, white) as mixed colours. The pixels 10 are located in a pixel field 20. For improving the contrast with the surroundings, the traffic control display 1 has a broad black rim 21 around the pixel field 20, and around that a broad white rim 22, for instance a reflecting rim.

The traffic control display 1 is provided with a control member 20, configured to control each pixel 10 for transmitting a desired light colour, in such a way that the traffic control display 1 as a whole shows a certain image in a certain colour. In this respect, colour and shape of an image belong together, so that each traffic

participant, whether he/she is colour blind or not, immediately can recognize the message shown by the traffic control display 1.

By way of example, figure 2 shows a possible application of the traffic control display 1 according to the present invention. The figure shows a mast with two displays. The left hand display shows a pictogram of a pedestrian in a square, both in red light. Both the colour red and the square mean that the pedestrian has to stop. The right hand display shows a pictogram of a bicycle in a circle, both in green light. Both the colour green and the circle mean that the bicyclist can drive on.

Figure 3 shows the same mast, but now the left hand display shows the pictogram of a pedestrian in a circle. Even if one does not have any colour

information, and therefore does not see that both the pictogram and the circle are shown in green light, one immediately understands that the pedestrian is allowed to walk on.

Figure 4 again shows the same mast, but now the right hand display shows the pictogram of the bicycle in a triangle, both in orange light. Both the colour orange and the shape of the triangle give the message: "be careful". This may mean that a red light will appear shortly, in a square, as a sign that the bicyclist has to stop.

By means of the pictogram in the circle, triangle or square, a target group can be indicated, but this pictogram may be omitted. Figure 5 shows an example of a situation in which the traffic control display 1 is part of a traffic light arrangement at crossroads. The arrangement comprises multiple display mounted on a portal above the road. In the centre of the portal, a display can be seen showing a red square: the traffic in the middle lane has to stop. To the right of that, two displays can be seen above the two right hand lanes, also showing a red square, now provided with a schematic arrow to the right, indicating that these displays relate to traffic wishing to take a right hand turn. To the left of the centre, two displays can be seen, above the two left hand lanes, which apart from a schematic arrow to the left also show a circle: even if one does not see that the colour of this display is green, one understands that the traffic turning left is allowed to drive on. Figure 6 shows a few examples of the versatility of the inventive system. The upper row shows the pictograms already discussed: red square, orange triangle, green circle, in combination with a direction arrow or not.

The second row at the left hand shows a pictogram of a rotating light in blue at the left hand and in red at the right hand, on a wide base. This can be used to reserve a traffic lane for emergency services such as police, ambulance, fire brigade, or for announcing that such vehicles are approaching. For an even better noticeability the controller 20 may make the pictograms flash or blink. In the centre, we see a universal warning pictogram, while the right hand pictogram shown in red

immediately makes clear that the traffic lane concerned is closed.

The bottom row shows that it is possible with the traffic control display 1 according to the present invention to reserve a traffic lane as bus lane, by the word "bus" in white light. Furthermore, the known lights intended for busses can be displayed: two red dots next to each other as a sign that the bus has to stop, a single red or orange dot in the centre as equivalent for "orange", and two white dots above each other as a sign that the bus is allowed to drive on.

Figure 7 finally shows an example in which a cipher is shown in white light within a green circle, which has the meaning of a recommended speed. In this way, it is simply possible to effect a green wave.

In a similar manner, it is easily possible to indicate a traffic limit, or the presence of a traffic jam, slippery road condition, etc.

Further variants and variations are possible. It is important that the controller can operate in a traffic light mode, in which an image of a first figure (i.e. a circle) is always shown in green light, an image of a second figure (i.e. a triangle) is always shown in orange light, and an image of a third figure (i.e. a square) is always shown in red light.

Claims

1. Traffic control display, comprising a plurality of pixels that can be controlled for transmitting at least three different colours of light particularly red, yellow or orange or amber, and green;

which display is further provided with a control member for controlling the individual pixels;

which control member is configured to operate in a traffic light mode, in which an image of a first figure is always shown in green light, an image of a second figure is always shown in orange light, and an image of a third figure is always shown in red light.

2. Traffic control display according to claim 1 , wherein the first figure is a circle, wherein the second figure is a triangle, and wherein the third figure is a square.

3. Traffic control display according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control member is configured to show on the display a pictogram such as an arrow, a pedestrian, a bicycle, etc. for indicating a target group.

4. Traffic control display according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control member is configured to create with the display a green wave.

5. Traffic control display according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control member is configured to create with the display a bus lane.

6. Traffic control display according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control member is configured to create with the display a lane for emergency services, or to indicate the approach of emergency services.

7. Traffic control system, comprising an assembly of multiple traffic control displays according to any of the previous claims.