GB2640748A - A traffic marker - Google Patents

Abstract

A traffic marker 10 for guiding traffic comprises a base 12, a stem 14 and a pivot portion 16 between the base and stem. The stem can pivot between a vertical 18 and a horizontal orientation 20 to reduce the force of a collision. The pivot comprises a biasing arrangement for biasing the stem to the vertical orientation. A lower part of the stem may be connected to the base by an elastic member. A base of the stem may be shaped to complement the shape of an upper portion of the base to allow deflection in a plurality of horizontal orientations. The stem may have a multilayer structure with an outer cushioning layer and an inner rigid layer. The traffic marker may include a sensor for detecting a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle, and a power supply and a transmitter for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver. A method of delineating between adjacent traffic lanes includes the installation of an array of traffic markers. A system uses data to monitor, manage or control a cycle way, interchange or crossroad and may transmit reports or instructions.

Description

A TRAFFIC MARKER

Field

The invention relates to a traffic marker for guiding traffic including any one or more of vehicles, cycles or pedestrians on a highway.

Background

In the context of this specification traffic includes without limitation: automotive land vehicles, such as electric, internal combustion engine (ICE), and hybrid vehicles; motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds; electrically assisted or powered bicycles; user (muscle) powered traditional pedal bicycles; and pedestrians.

With the advent of side-by-side multi-lane traffic lanes there has been an ongoing difficulty in delineating one lane of traffic from another. This difficulty is especially pronounced when traffic in one lane is more vulnerable to harm (e.g. bicycles), closely adjacent to a lane of less vulnerable vehicles (e.g. cars and lorries). The same applies between bicycles and pedestrians. It is important therefore to delineate, or guide, between adjacent lanes by clearly marking the lateral extent of the lanes, as between each other.

An aspect of the invention according to embodiments described herein recognises that transgressions by traffic across a boundary between lanes is inevitable over the course of time, but although it may be inevitable, any harm should be minimized and the delineation between lanes should be restored and maintained, regardless of such a transgression. The purpose is to allow a shared space with an amount of safety on both sides of a boundary.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the invention there is provided a traffic marker for guiding traffic including any one or more of vehicles, cycles or pedestrians on a highway, the marker comprising: a base, a stem and a pivot portion between the base and the stem for allowing the stem to pivot between a generally vertical orientation to guide traffic and a generally horizontal orientation for reducing a force of a collision between traffic and the marker, the pivot portion comprising a biasing arrangement for biasing the stem into the generally vertical orientation.

In some embodiments a visually distinctive portion is provided. This may be at the tip or head of the marker and, for example may be in the form or shape of a flower or other item or object, such as an animal, building or fruit. In some embodiments the pivot portion and biasing arrangement cooperate to allow the stem to deflect from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation at a multiplicity of angles around the marker that are different transversely one to another.

In some embodiments the pivot portion and biasing arrangement cooperate to allow deflection of the stem at any angle through 360 degrees.

In some embodiments a lower part of the stem is connected to the base by an elastic member forming the biasing arrangement and that is deformable to allow the stem portion to be deflected to a generally horizontal orientation.

In some embodiments a base of the stem is shaped to complement a shape of an upper portion of the base to support the stem portion in the generally vertical orientation and allow deflection to any of a plurality of said generally horizontal orientations.

In some embodiments the base comprises at least two components, a first component of which is adapted to be fixed in location to the ground by anchors and a second part of which is adapted to be connected to the first component and disconnectable from the first component for repair or replacement.

In some embodiments the stem comprises a multilayer structure comprising an inner more rigid layer for providing reliable support and an outer more flexible layer for providing a cushioning effect upon traffic impact.

In some embodiments the stem comprises an outer layer of retroreflective material for illuminating the marker during hours of darkness.

In some embodiments the stem comprises a fixing mechanism at an upper portion thereof for fixing a visually distinctive top to the stem.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of delineating between adjacent traffic lanes by installing an array of traffic markers as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at a side portion of a lane.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting passing pedestrians and/or traffic using at least one of the aforementioned traffic markers for guiding traffic by delineating between adjacent traffic lanes by installing an array of traffic markers as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at a side portion of a lane.

A system uses data indicative of the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle information may be used to monitor, manage or control one or more cycle ways or interchanges or crossroads or traffic lights.

A system for monitoring, managing or controlling a cycle way, interchange, crossroad or sets of traffic lights may receive the data and at a specific time transmit reports or instructions.

An embodiment of the invention, together with modifications, will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a traffic highway and traffic markers for delineating traffic lanes or guiding traffic; Figure 2 shows a traffic marker in a generally vertical orientation and one of its horizontal orientations; Figures 3A and 3B show examples of a base of a marker in a generally vertically position of the stem; Figure 4 shows a base of a marker in a generally horizontal condition of a stem; Figures 5A and 5B show more particularly a base of marker and the manner in which this is embedded in a roadway or cycle lane; and Figure 6 shows an example of a stem and top of a marker. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an example of a traffic system 100 comprising a pavement or sidewalk, or lane, 102 for pedestrians, a cycle lane 104 generally for bicycles 106; and a vehicle lane 108 for cars, lorries and (as shown) buses 110. The pavement, cycle lane and vehicle lane constitute traffic lanes in the current context.

A delineation between the bicycle lane and vehicle lane is shown by a border 112 and between the pavement 102 and the cycle lane by border 114. As illustrated the border 112 is delineated by markers 116.

An example of a marker 10 is shown in Figure 2. A traffic marker comprises a base 12, a stem 14 and a pivot portion 16 between the base and the stem for allowing the stem to pivot between a generally vertical orientation to guide traffic 18 and a generally horizontal orientation 20 for reducing a force of a collision between traffic and the marker. A base is arranged to be fixed at selected locations along a border between traffic lanes, and a guide for guiding traffic along respective lanes.

Typically, there might be a marker located at intervals of, for example a few metres, along the border, but the markers may be placed more or less frequently in that regard. The base is generally fixed in location for some time, other than repair or maintenance, and does not move to any great extent during use when traffic is flowing either side of the marker.

As explained in more detail and shown below, the pivot portion comprises a biasing arrangement for biasing the stem into the generally vertical orientation. The biasing member or arrangement may take any suitable form. One such example is described and shown below.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the pivot portion and biasing arrangement cooperate to allow the stem to deflect from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation at a multiplicity of angles around the marker that are different transversely one to another. The pivot portion has an arc structure so that it can pivot around angles though 360 degrees, but it may not be the case that it can pivot through all angles around 360 degrees. That solution is not necessary to allow a pivoting action to reduce a collision force.

Multiple possible tilting movements around a 360-degree rotation are possible. The point is that the example provides more than two possible tilting movements, namely something other than backwards and forwards, or sideways movement. If one considers that a vector of collision is not necessarily always predictable, but giving thought to it the collision is derived from a direction of travel along a lane, and then one can predict a direction of travel and design a marker with this in mind.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a pivoting part comprising a lower part of a stem that has a circular, or arc, shaped portion 22 that fits with an upper part 26 of the base so that it pivots over multiple angles. The base part comprises a biasing mechanism comprising an elastic member 24. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elastic member is shrouded or encased with a protective antivandal mesh sleeving 24A fixed with a fixed pin 28. The elastic part preferably biases the stem to a vertical orientation in its unflexed state.

A lower part of the stem is connected to the base by an elastic member in this example forming the biasing arrangement and that is deformable to allow the stem portion to be deflected to a generally horizontal orientation. There are multiple different ways of structuring the biasing device.

The base of the stem is shaped to complement a shape of an upper portion of the base to support the stem portion in the generally vertical orientation and allow deflection to any of a plurality of said generally horizontal orientations. The stem is circular lower at its circular part and the base part is circular at its upward part.

Referring to Figure 5, the base comprises at least two components, a first component 30 that is adapted to be fixed in location to the ground by anchors 32 and a second part (an insert 34) that is adapted to be connected to the first component and disconnectable from the first component for repair or replacement. In the example there are two components that are fixed to the ground. There is a plate 31 generally flush with a ground surface and two anchors 32 that are fixed through the plate to the ground. The insert 34 is fixed to the plate by fixings 38, which are removable for repair or maintenance.

The stem comprises a multilayer structure as shown. There are two layers as in this example but there may be fewer or more. In the example of Figure 6 there is an inner more rigid layer 40 for providing reliable support and an outer layer 42 more flexible layer for providing a cushioning effect upon traffic impact. The inner more rigid layer can be measured by various scales which measure hardness, the main aspect in the current context is that the stem is supported whilst also supporting a flexible outer surface. The strength of the core and the flexibility of the outer surface can be determined by those skilled in the art.

In a preferred example, the stem comprises an outer layer of retroreflective material for illuminating the marker during hours of darkness, since retroreflection direct light backwards towards an emitter of light, from a cycle or vehicle.

The stem comprises a fixing mechanism 44 at an upper portion thereof for fixing a visually distinctive top 46 to the stem. In this example there is a tulip shape that simulates a flowers along the side of a lane, but any preferred top may be used. The head or at least a portion thereof, may also be coloured and/or retroreflective and/or decorated with retroreflective stickers for illumination in the hours of darkness.

There is also an example in the context of this patent specification of a method of delineating between adjacent traffic lanes by installing an array of traffic markers as described above and shown in the Figure at a side portion of a lane.

Referring again to Figure 1, it will be appreciated that traffic and/or pedal driven vehicles such as bicycles, and/or pedestrians are segregated by the traffic markers.

The invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the aforementioned embodiments without departing form the scope of protection as defined by the claims appended hereto. For example, the traffic markers may be illuminated by way of a dedicated common power supply or by way of a local supply which may include either a battery or a solar device connected to a charge storage devices, such as a rechargeable battery or cell.

Other variations include a pedestrian or cycle detection device which is operative to count the number of passing pedestrians or cycles. A digital recording means may be provided to record the number of passing pedestrians or cycles and a transmitter may be provided for reporting the number of passing pedestrians or cycles to a remote location. The transmitter may transmit data via a wireless or hardwired connection.

Figure 2 shows an example of a traffic marker (road bollard) that pivots around its base for vehicles to be able to drive over if necessary whilst still delineating between different areas of the road such as cycle lanes and car lanes, as shown in Figure 1.

The traffic marker increases safety for road users such as cyclists, who are less likely to have a serious collision with these traffic markers compared to conventional static bollards.

The traffic marker shown in Figure 3B includes retroreflective surfaces to improve safety. After being knocked or driven over, the traffic marker returns to a vertical position as shown by the arrow in Figure 2.

The stem of the traffic marker pivots at its base. The pivoting action may be by way of a spring, elastic cord or a ball-in-socket mechanism which enables the stem of the traffic marker to return to its upright position after being knocked.

The stem of the traffic marker may be manufactured from various materials depending on the durability and flexibility required. The stem shown in Figure 3B has an outer layer that is more flexible for impact resistance, and an inner layer that is stiffer for durability. The inner layer is not bonded to the outer layer, so that the inner and outer layers can slide over one another. The stiffness of the inner layer therefore helps prevent the outer layer from being permanently deformed or bent.

The stem has an integrated fixing point 44 (Figure 6) at its top, as well as at its base (Figure 2). The stem may be covered or wrapped in a retro-reflective material to make it more visible to road users.

An example of the head of the traffic marker is shown in Figure 6 and is moulded in one piece using a flexible material to add further impact resistance to the traffic marker. The head may be moulded into various shapes and colours as required. The one shown is to simulate the head of a tulip.

Figures 3A and 3B shown the traffic marker with a base plate and base component that fixes into the road using basic threaded resin anchors. The mechanism, stem, and insert components are typically assembled offsite and are installed as a single piece into the base component of the traffic marker.

If any of the stem, head, insert, or pivot mechanism components become worn or broken and need replacement they can be removed whilst the base plate and base component stay installed as shown diagrammatically in Figure 5B. New components can be quickly and easily installed in place of worn or damaged components.

The traffic marker may include a sensor which detects the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist, or vehicle. In such embodiments a power supply and a transmitter are included so that a signal indicative of the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle is transmitted to a remote receiver. In some embodiments the traffic marker includes a battery. Optionally a solar powered device may be provided for charging a rechargeable battery which may be located in the ground close to the traffic marker. In an alternative embodiment a mechanical charging device, such as a magneto or a piezoelectric device is included in, or connected to, the stem or another moving part of the traffic marker. Connection may be via one or more levers or gears so that a force applied to the traffic marker is used to generate an electric current.

Local generation of an electric current, by an individual traffic marker, may also be achieved by including a windmill or vertical axis wind turbine (VAVVT) connected to a traffic marker, so that wind may be used to generate an electric current. In one embodiment a flexible mechanical coupling transfer torque from a windmill to rotate a dynamo or generator which may be located below a ground plate.

Alternatively, or additionally, the power supply may comprise a hardwired connection to a supply of mains electricity. The sensor may include a presence or proximity detector, a light detector for sensing a light source (such as headlight) or a short-range wireless detector, such as a Bluetooth (RTM) or a Zigbee (RTM) detector, for sensing the presence of a mobile device, such as a smartphone which is being carried or used by a passing pedestrian or cyclist.

Detection of the proximity of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle at a first traffic marker and at a second location (which may also be a traffic marker) enables a calculation to be made to provide an indication of the speed and direction of the pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle.

Data indicative of this information may be used to monitor, manage or control one or more cycle ways or interchanges or crossroads or traffic lights.

A system for monitoring, managing or controlling a cycle way, interchange, crossroad or sets of traffic lights may receive the data and at a specific time transmit reports or instructions.

It is also understood that not every traffic marker requires an illumination source. Therefore, alternate traffic markers may be lit or lit according to a specified pattern for example every fifth or tenth traffic marker may be lit.

Claims (17)

1. Claims 1. A traffic marker for guiding traffic including any one or more of vehicles, cycles or pedestrians on a highway, the marker comprising: a base, a stem and a pivot portion between the base and the stem for allowing the stem to pivot between a generally vertical orientation to guide traffic and a generally horizontal orientation for reducing a force of a collision between traffic and the marker, the pivot portion comprising a biasing arrangement for biasing the stem into the generally vertical orientation.
2. 2. A traffic marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot portion and biasing arrangement cooperate to allow the stem to deflect from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation at a multiplicity of angles around the marker that are different transversely one to another
3. 3. A traffic marker as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivot portion and biasing arrangement cooperate to allow deflection of the stem at any angle through 360 degrees.
4. 4. A traffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower part of the stem is connected to the base by an elastic member forming the biasing arrangement and that is deformable to allow the stem portion to be deflected to a generally horizontal orientation.
5. 5. A traffic marker as claimed in 2 or 3, wherein a base of the stem is shaped to complement a shape of an upper portion of the base to support the stem portion in the generally vertical orientation and allow deflection to any of a plurality of said generally horizontal orientations.
6. 6. Atraffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises at least two components, a first component of which is adapted to be fixed in location to the ground by anchors and a second part of which is adapted to be connected to the first component and disconnectable from the first component for repair or replacement.
7. 7. Atraffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem comprises a multilayer structure comprising an inner more rigid layer for providing reliable support and an outer more flexible layer for providing a cushioning effect upon traffic impact.
8. 8. Atraffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem comprises an outer layer of retroreflective material for illuminating the marker during hours of darkness.
9. 9. Atraffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem comprises a fixing mechanism at an upper portion thereof for fixing a visually distinctive top to the stem.
10. 10. Atraffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, includes a sensor which detects the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle, a power supply and a transmitter that transmits a signal indicative of the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle to a remote receiver.
11. 11. A traffic marker as claimed in claim 10, wherein the power supply includes a battery.
12. 12. A traffic marker as claimed in either claim 10 or 11, wherein the power supply includes a solar powered device and wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.
13. 13. A traffic marker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply includes a hardwired connection to an electricity supply.
14. 14. A method of delineating between adjacent traffic lanes by installing an array of traffic markers as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at a side portion of a lane.
15. 15. A method of detecting passing pedestrians and/or traffic using at least one of the aforementioned traffic markers for guiding traffic by delineating between adjacent traffic lanes by installing an array of traffic markers as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at a side portion of a lane.
16. 16. A system uses data indicative of the presence of a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle information may be used to monitor, manage or control one or more cycle ways or interchanges or crossroads or traffic lights.
17. 17. A system for monitoring, managing or controlling a cycle way, interchange, crossroad or sets of traffic lights may receive the data and at a specific time transmit reports or instructions.