DE20014237U1 - Information system for highway access - Google Patents

Description

Willi Lieh, Dipl.-Ing.
Im Schelmbohl 47a
64665 Aisbach

Motorway access information system

The invention relates to an information system for drivers of motor vehicles intending to enter a motorway, whereby the traffic flow density on the motorway is visually displayed to them before entering the motorway.

Traffic information systems, traffic control systems and traffic warning systems are known that monitor and control the flow of traffic, detect and warn so-called wrong-way drivers and the like (DE19729590, DE 19736050, DE19800692, 19900721 and others). However, these systems only inform and control vehicles that are already on the motorway or send their data to central recording points where the information is evaluated and further processed according to the purpose. Drivers of motor vehicles before entering a motorway are not directly informed about the traffic flow density there.

Since on many access roads (9) the view of the motorway is not possible due to terrain formation, trees, bushes or noise barriers (3), motor vehicles are irreversibly integrated into the traffic flow density on the motorway after entering the motorway access road (2). Later detection of a traffic jam or walking traffic on the motorway does not entitle the driver to reverse out or turn around on the access road (Section 18 of the Road Traffic Regulations). Motor vehicles in the access road are forced to join the traffic jam or walking traffic.

The object of the invention is to use a suitable information system to visually inform drivers of motor vehicles about the current traffic flow density on the motorway before entering the motorway entrance, so that it is still possible to bypass the motorway entrance.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 9.

The design and further details can be found in the following description and the drawing of the exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a site plan with motorway, motorway access and feeder roads.

Fig. 2 shows a lattice mast with a sign pointing to a motorway and a traffic flow indicator integrated into the sign

Fig. 3 shows a lattice mast with a sign pointing to a motorway and a traffic flow indicator associated with the sign

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Fig. 4 shows an example traffic flow display

Fig. 5 shows the schematic internal structure of an exemplary traffic flow display

Fig. 6, 7, 8 show change views of an exemplary traffic flow display

The information system for motorway access roads consists of a series of sensors (7) extending in a known manner beyond the area of the acceleration lane (5) between the central barriers (17), which determine the traffic flow density of the vehicles (4) on the motorway lanes (1) from the driving speed and vehicle distance. The calculated value is transmitted by radio signal to the traffic flow indicators (10) located on or near the information signs (6) via a solar-powered transmitter unit (8).

The traffic flow displays, which are also powered by solar power, receive the transmitted data via the antenna (12) and, in the example traffic flow display, convert these into pulses in the internal control unit (16) that control the stepper motor (15). The stepper motor moves a slip-free endless belt (13) via rollers (14). Half of the endless belt is colored green and the other half red. This means that a different green-red area is displayed in the field of view of the traffic flow display when the endless belt is initially set accordingly and depending on the transmitted data.

The display areas range from completely green (Fig. 6) (loose, flowing traffic) through a variable intermediate area green / red, which shows more green or more red depending on the traffic flow (Fig. 7) to the total display red (Fig. 8) (vehicle standstill, traffic jam).

The transmitting unit sends updated data on traffic flow density to the traffic flow displays at set intervals of one minute, which then update the display.

Claims (9)

1. Information system for motorway entrances, characterized in that at motorway junctions in the area of the acceleration lanes and beyond, the traffic flow density is measured by sensors and transmitted by radio to traffic flow displays which are located on the feeder roads before the motorway entrance and which visually inform drivers of the traffic flow density on the motorway. 2. Information system for motorway access roads according to claim 1, characterized in that the traffic flow displays are placed on or near the signs pointing to a motorway. 3. Information system for motorway access roads according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the traffic flow displays are operated with solar power. 4. Information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the visual information of the traffic flow displays is automatically updated at regular intervals. 5. Information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the traffic flow displays represent the respective traffic flow density by means of variable green-red areas. 6. Information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the green-red areas in the traffic flow displays are represented by a two-colored endless band. 7. Information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the two-coloured endless band of the traffic flow display is positioned without slippage by a stepper motor. 8. Motorway access information system according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one half of the circumference of the endless band of the traffic flow display is green and the other half of the circumference is red. 9. Information system for motorway access roads according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the size of the traffic flow display can be adapted to the size of the corresponding sign indicating a motorway.