WO2006038853A1

WO2006038853A1 - A system for indicating presence of a person im a road area

Info

Publication number: WO2006038853A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001421
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leon Nilsson; Henrik Ingvarsson; Anders BJÖRNEK; Torben Lausten
Original assignee: GEVEKO INDUSTRI HOLDING AB
Current assignee: GEVEKO INDUSTRI HOLDING AB
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2005-09-28
Publication date: 2006-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-01
Also published as: EP1839288A1; SE0402385D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (10) for indicating presence of a person (40) , in particular a school child, in a road area (12) . The system comprises a plurality of light modules (16, 20) placed in connection with said road area, each including at least one light source (24), a power source (28, 30), and a receiver (26) adapted to receive a control signal . The system further comprises an activation badge (38) with a transmitter (36) , which badge is adapted to be carried by the person, as well as a control unit (32) having a transceiver (34) adapted to, upon reception of a transmission signal from said transmitter (36) , send a control signal to each of the plurality of light modules (16, 20) in order to activate the light modules for illumination. The system according to the invention makes the implementation and placing of the light modules very flexible. Also, selective activation of the system and the light modules is possible. The invention also relates to an activation badge (38) to be used in such a system.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR INDICATING PRESENCE OF A PERSON IN A ROAD

AREA

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system for indicating presence of a person, in particular a school child, in a road area. The invention also relates to an activation badge to be used in such a system.

Background art

People such as pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. are always vulnerable when they stay in a road area where motorized traffic, such as cars, busses, trams, etc., is present. The road area can for example be a cross-walk, a bus stop, the road outside a school, etc. In order to increase the security for pedestrians and the like, different warning systems and devices to be used in addition to any existing traffic signs and/or traffic signals have been proposed.

One such system is disclosed in the document US6384742, which system comprises a plurality of surface mounted lights placed across the roadway surface. The lights are activated by the pedestrian, either by a manual switch or by a proximity-type sensor, before he or she enters the cross-walk, whereby the lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the pedestrian may have entered the cross-walk. However, in this system, each light is connected to a central unit by electrical wires for supply of power and control signals to the lights. This wiring renders the implementation of the system elaborate and reduces the flexibility in relocating lights and in adding and removing lights. Also, the wires can be damaged when the road is subject for heavy traffic. Further, the proximity-type sensor, which for instance is an infra-red sensor or a microwave sensor, may be very difficult to configure for selective detection. Selective detection may be useful to warn drivers of vehicles only when certain pedestrians, such as school children or elderly people or handicapped persons, are present in the cross- walk.

Another warning system is disclosed in the document US6259375. The system comprises a series of strobe lights immersed in the road surface, which lights are placed in connection with for example a pedestrian crossing or a school crossing. The lights are coupled by wires to the power supply provided by for instance existing warning signals at a school crossing so that the lights are activated at the same time as a crossing signal at the school crossing is activated. The crossing signal and consequently the strobe lights can for example be activated during morning school starting times and afternoon school closing times.

However, although this system is slightly more adapted to warn approaching vehicles for school children, it is, as the system in US6384742, elaborate to implement due to the immersion of the lights in the road surface and the requirement of wiring interconnecting the lights.

Thus, there is a need for a warning system that is easy to implement and can be used to indicate the presence of certain persons, for example school children, in a road area.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for indicating presence of a person in a road area, which system is easy to implement and may be used for selective indication of the presence of certain persons.

This and other objects that will be evident from the following description are achieved by means of a system for indicating presence of a person in a road area, and an activation badge to be used in such a system, according to the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for indicating presence of a person, in particular a school child, in a road area, which system comprises a plurality of light modules placed in connection with the road area, each including at least one light source, a power source, and a receiver for receiving a control signal, an activation badge comprising a transmitter, which badge is adapted to be carried by the person, and a control unit having a transceiver adapted to, upon reception of a transmission signal from the transmitter, send a control signal to each of the plurality of light modules in order to activate the light modules for illumination.

Thus, a person approaching or entering the road area can by means of the activation badge activate the system so that any road-user approaching the road area is alerted that a person can be present in the road area by the illumination of the light modules placed in connection to the road area. The person can for example be a pedestrian, a bicyclist riding a bike, a person in a wheel chair, etc.

The invention is based on the understanding that by providing each light module with its own built-in power supply and control signal receiver, no wiring between the light modules is necessary, i.e. the control unit can communicate with the badge and the light modules by means of wireless communication. This makes the implementation and placing of the light modules much more flexible. Also, adding or removal of light modules becomes less elaborate. Further, the light modules are primarily activated only by persons having a transmitter, whereby the system warns road-users, e.g. drivers of vehicles approaching the road area, when such persons, e.g. school-children, elderly people or any other person who may require that the traffic situation is adapted to his or hers prerequisites, may be present in the road area. Also, the utilization of one control unit for controlling a plurality of light modules offers the possibility and advantage of synchronizing the illumination of the light modules in any desired fashion.

The system according to the invention can advantageously be implemented at for example a cross¬ walk, a bus stop or tram stop, an area outside a school, such as the roadway and the sidewalk next to a schoolyard, etc.

Preferably, once the light modules of the system have been activated upon reception in the control unit of the transmission signal, the light modules remains active (i.e. illuminated) for a predetermined time from that reception of the transmission signal stops. In this way, any person activating the system has time to safely move well away from the road area before the warning lights are put out .

In one embodiment of the invention, the activation badge further comprises a motion sensor coupled to the transmitter, whereby the transmitter is activated when the badge is in motion, for example when the person carrying the badge is walking. Thus, the transmitter is automatically activated when the badge is in motion. This offers the advantage of reducing the time the transmitter is active, which in turn saves power (the transmitter is preferably powered by an internal battery) and significantly prolongs the operating time of the badge having the transmitter, compared to an embodiment where the transmitter is always on. Also preferably, once activated by the motion of the badge, the transmitter remains active for a predetermined time from that the motion stops. In this way, a signal can be transmitted even if the person carrying the badge stops within the road area.

In another embodiment of the invention, the transceiver of the control unit is further adapted to transmit an initiation signal, and the badge further comprises a receiver coupled to the transmitter, whereby the transmitter is activated when the initiation signal is received. Thus, the transmitter is only activated when the badge is within a certain distance of the control unit. The distance is determined by the range of the activation signal . This also offers the advantage of reducing the time the transmitter is active, which in turn saves power and significantly prolongs the operating time of the badge having the transmitter. In this embodiment, the activation badge preferably comprises a combined transceiver for receiving the initiation signal from the control unit and for returning a transmission signal in order to alert the control unit of the presence of a pedestrian or the like in or close to the road area.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the activation badge further comprises a timer circuit coupled to the transmitter, whereby the transmitter is activated at certain time intervals. This also offers the advantage of reducing the time the transmitter is active, which in turn saves power and significantly prolongs the operating time of the badge having the transmitter.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each light module comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) . The LEDs are preferably adapted to direct light along said road area towards any incoming traffic. LEDs offer the advantages of having long duration, being durable to vibration, having low power consumption, etc. According to another embodiment of the invention, the power source of each light module comprises a rechargeable power source and at least one solar cell for charging the power source. Thus, each light module is autonomous with regard to power supply. The rechargeable power source can for example be a rechargeable battery or a capacitor. The solar cell powering offers the advantage of significantly prolonging the running time of the light modules without having to change the power source. This reduces the maintenance of the light modules.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one light module is placed on a road surface in the road area. The light module according to this embodiment offers the advantage that it can be placed anywhere on the road surface of the road area without any change or preparation of the road surface, which facilitates installation of the plurality of light modules. Preferably, the surface-mounted light module comprises a body having a thickness of less than 10 mm, which body incorporates at least the light source(s) , the power source and the receiver. Even more preferably, the thickness of the body is less than 5 mm. Low height of the surface mounted light modules results in that the damage risk for vehicles running over the light modules is reduced, and that the light modules better can withstand snow clearance, especially snow clearance with snowploughs. In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one light module is mounted on a pole. The light module according to this embodiment can be mounted on any existing pole along the road area, such as a pole carrying a traffic sign or signal, or on a dedicated pole. Further, the light module can be mounted on the top of the pole, of example above a traffic sign carried by the pole, or somewhere along the pole, for example under a traffic sign carried by the pole. In the latter case, the pole-mounted light module preferably comprises an essentially annular housing incorporating at least the light source (s), the power source and the receiver, whereby the annular housing encompasses the pole when the light module is mounted on the pole. The housing of the light module according to this embodiment is annular in the sense that it, when it is mounted, comprises a through hole adapted to receive the pole. The pole-mounted light module can be positioned above the road surface of the road area, which can increase the visibility of the light module. For example in snowy conditions, pole-mounted light modules are more likely to be visible than any road surface mounted light modules. Pole mounted light modules also offer the advantages of being easy to install, move, and replace, especially when being used with existing poles, since the preparations necessary in the road area to install the pole-mounted autonomous light modules are negligible.

It should be noted that the system according to the invention can comprise either light modules in the form of road surface mounted flat light modules, or light modules placed on poles, or a combination of both types. In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit further comprises a timer unit, which advantageously can be used for controlling the light modules according to a predetermined time schedule. For example if the road area is outside a school, the light modules can be activated during morning school starting times and afternoon school closing times, regardless of whether any school-child with a badge is present in the road area.

In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit further comprises a data storage unit. The data storage unit can advantageously be used for storing data related to the activation of the light modules as well as data related to the activation badges being present in the road area covered by the control unit, such as badge count data and/or badge identification data. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the control unit further comprises a mobile telecommunications unit. The mobile telecommunications unit can advantageously be used for remote control and monitoring and diagnosis of the system, and for remotely retrieving any data stored by the data storage unit, for example. In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is incorporated in one of said plurality of light modules. In this case, no separate control unit is necessary and the control unit can advantageously utilize for example the power source of the light module.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an activation badge comprising a transmitter adapted to send a transmission signal to a control unit, which control unit is adapted to, upon reception of the transmission signal, send a control signal to each of a plurality of light modules placed in connection with a road area in order to activate the light modules for illumination.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following, with reference to the appended figures showing presently preferred embodiments. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is implemented at a cross-walk,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is implemented at a bus stop,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is implemented in connection to a school,

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a surface mounted light module,

Fig. 5a is a schematic perspective view of a variant of a pole mounted light module,

Fig. 5b is a schematic perspective view of another variant of a pole mounted light module, Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an activation badge according to the invention, and

Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of a control unit according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following description, identical reference numerals have been used for corresponding elements of the system. Fig. 1 illustrates a system 10 for indicating the presence of a person in a road area 12 according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is implemented at a cross-walk 14. The system 10 comprises a plurality of light modules 16 mounted on the road surface 18, and a plurality of light modules 20 mounted on poles 22, in this case existing traffic sign poles. Each light module 16, 20 (the light modules 16, 20 are illustrated in more detail in figs. 4 and 5a-5b, respectively) comprises at least one light source 24, a receiver 26 adapted to receive a control signal for controlling the illumination of the light source (s) 24, and a battery 28 and solar panel 30 for powering the light source (s) 24 and the receiver 26. The light modules 16, 20 are preferably placed so as to, when activated, direct light towards any traffic approaching the road area 12.

The system 10 further comprises a control unit 32 having a transceiver 34 (the control unit 32 is illustrated in more detail in fig. 7) . In fig. 1, the control unit 32 is incorporated in one of the pole mounted light modules 20. However, the control unit could alternatively, for example, be a separate device arranged in connection with the road area 12.

The transceiver 34 of the control unit 32 is upon operation of the system 10 adapted to receive a transmission signal from a transmitter 36 in an activation badge 38 carried by a person such as a pedestrian 40 who approaches/enters the road area 12 (the badge 38 is illustrated in more detail in fig. 6) . The transmitter 36 can continuously transmit the transmission signal, or the transmitter 36 can for instance be coupled to a timer circuit which activates the transmitter during certain time intervals. Thus, the transmission signal can be automatically" transmitted from the badge 38, without direct manual intervention. The range of the badge's 38 transmission signal and the location of the control unit 32 should be chosen so that the transmission signal can be received by the control unit 32 when the pedestrian 40 carrying the badge 38 approaches and/or enters the current road area 12.

The transceiver 34 is further adapted to, upon reception of a transmission signal from the badge's 38 transmitter 36, send a control signal to each of the light modules 16, 20 in order to activate the light modules for illumination. Thus, the light modules can automatically be activated when a person wearing a badge approaches or enters the road area. Further, any road- user approaching the road area, for example the driver of a vehicle, is alerted that a pedestrian can be present in the road area 12 and the cross walk 14 by the illumination of the light modules 16, 20 placed in connection to the road area. The control signal (s) sent to the light modules can be a common control signal which is sent to all light modules. This is suitable in case uniform lightening is desired. Alternatively, a unique control signal can be sent to each light module in case a certain illumination pattern or illumination sequence is desired, for example

"flowing light", alternating illumination, different intensity or frequency, etc. Thus, the light modules can be individually addressable.

Also, the control signal of a given system can be chosen so that it does not interfere with any adjacent system, i.e. so that the control unit does not illuminate light module of any neighbouring system(s) . This can be achieved by having adjacent systems sending control signals of different frequencies. However, the control signal can alternatively be chosen so that the control unit of a certain system can activate light modules of an adjacent system.

It is also possible to utilize more than one control unit for detecting persons and controlling the light modules. For example, one control unit can be arranged on each side of a roadway at a cross-walk (i.e. a total of two control units) for detecting persons having activation badges approaching/entering the cross-walk from both sides of the road and for illuminating the light modules associated with the cross-walk.

Fig. 2 illustrates another implementation of the system for indicating the presence of a pedestrian or the like in a road area according to the invention, wherein the system is implemented at a bus stop 42. In this implementation, light modules 16 can be arranged on the road surface 18 around the bus stop 42 in order to reinforce the appearance of the bus stop, while a light module 20 comprising the control unit 32 can be arranged on a pole 22 which holds the sign indicating the bus stop. Thus, when one or more persons 40 having an activation badge 38 are present at the bus stop 42 or approach the bus stop 42, the light modules 16, 20 are illuminated in order to warn any approaching vehicle of the presence of people at or around the bus stop.

Fig. 3 illustrates yet another implementation of the system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to the invention, wherein the system is implemented at a school 44. In this implementation, light modules 16 can be arranged on the roadway 18 and the side-walk 46 outside the school 44, while light modules 20, one of which comprises the control unit 32, can be arranged on existing or dedicated poles 20 in connection to the roadway and the side walk. Thus, the presence of any school-child or other person equipped with an activation badge within the road area 12 will activate the light modules 16, 20.

The surface- and pole-mounted light module 16 and 20, the activation badge 38, and the control unit 32 will now be described in more detail in relation to figs. 4-7, respectively.

The road surface mounted light module 16, which is schematically illustrated in Fig. 4, can for example be based on such a light module that is described in the Danish non-published patent application PA200301745. The light module 16 is mounted on the road surface 18 and comprises at least one LED light source 24 being arranged to direct light over the road surface, and a battery 28 and a solar panel 30 for charging of the battery. The components of the light module are incorporated in a transparent body 48, which preferably has a thickness of less than 5 mm, as described in PA200301745.

The light module 16 illustrated in fig. 4 further comprises a receiver 26 adapted to receive a control signal from the control unit 32 for controlling the illumination of the LED(s) 24, as described above in relation to fig. 1.

The light module 16 can optionally comprise a transmitter 50. By means of the transmitter 50, the light module can identify itself with the control unit 32 and verify to the control unit that the light module is functioning, for example. Preferably, in practice, the receiver 26 and the transmitter 50 are combined in a single transceiver incorporated in the body 48. The light module 16 can also optionally comprise a control device

32.

Fig. 5a is perspective view of a variant of a light module 20 mounted on a pole 22. The pole 22 can be any existing pole along the road area, such as a pole carrying a traffic sign or signal, or a dedicated pole. In fig. 5a, the light module 20 comprises an essentially annular housing 52, and the light module is mounted somewhere along the pole 22 so that the housing 52 encompasses the pole 22. Preferably, the housing is openable for example along the line 53 in order to facilitate mounting on the pole. Also, the shape of the housing 52 can be adapted to fit poles of different sizes and shapes. For example, the through hole of the housing, which through hole receives the pole, can preferably be square-shaped (rather than circular as shown in fig. 5a) in case the light module is to be mounted on a pole having a square cross-section.

The housing 52 incorporates at least one LED 24, a battery 28 and a solar panel 30 for charging of the battery, and a receiver 26 adapted to receive a control signal from the control unit 32 for controlling the illumination of the LED(s) 24. The solar panel 30 is preferably arranged on top of the housing 52, and the LED(s) 24 are preferably arranged at the outer side wall 54 of the housing 42 in order to direct light for example towards any incoming traffic. As above, the light module 20 can optionally comprise a transmitter 50 and a control unit 32.

Fig. 5b is perspective view of another variant of a pole-mounted light module which is similar to the light module in fig. 5a. However, in fig. 5b, the light module comprises a housing 55 and is mounted on top of the pole, for example above a traffic sign (not shown) carried by the pole.

Fig. 6 illustrates an activation badge 38 used in a system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to the invention. The badge 38 is adapted to be carried by a person. For convenience, the badge can for instance be formed as a key ring or key fob, as in fig. 6. However, the badge can alternatively be incorporated in an article of clothing or in a bag (such as a schoolbag) , have a certain artistic design, etc.

The badge 38 comprises a transmitter 36 for sending a signal to the control unit 32 of the pedestrian indication system when the pedestrian wearing the badge 38 is within a certain range of said control unit 32. The range in this case is determined by the range of the transmission signal. As mentioned above, the range of the transmission signal and the location of the control unit should be chosen so that the transmission signal can be received and thus the light modules be activated when the pedestrian carrying the badge approaches or enters the current road area in which it is desired to indicate the presence of pedestrians. The transmitter 36 is powered by a power source, such as a battery 56.

In one embodiment, the transmitter 36 is always on. However, the badge 38 can optionally comprise a motion sensor 58 being coupled to the transmitter 36. The motion sensor 58 is adapted to detect if the badge is in motion, whereby the transmitter 36 is activated when the motion sensor 58 detects that the badge 38 is in motion, for example when it is carried by a walking pedestrian or a bicyclist on the move. This significantly reduces the time the transmitter is active, which in turn saves power and prolongs the badge's operating time.

Also, the badge 38 can optionally comprise a receiver 60 being coupled to the transmitter 36. The receiver 60 is adapted to receive an initiation signal, preferably from the control unit 32, whereby the transmitter 36 is activated when the initiation signal is received. Thus, the transmitter 36 is only activated when the badge 38 is within a certain distance of the control unit 32, which distance is determined by the range of the initiation signal. This also serves to reduce the time the transmitter is active, which in turn saves power and prolongs the badge's operating time. Preferably, in practice, the transmitter 36 and the receiver 60 are combined in a single transceiver incorporated in the badge 38.

In another embodiment, the badge 38 can comprise a timer circuit (not shown) coupled to the transmitter 36. The timer circuit functions so that the transmitter only is activated at certain short time intervals in order to save power.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the control unit 32 which comprises a transceiver 34, the function of which has been described above. The control unit 32 can optionally comprise a timer unit 62, which can be used for controlling the light modules 16, 20 according to a predetermined time schedule. For example if the road area is outside a school (as in fig. 3) , the light modules can be activated during morning school starting times and afternoon school closing times, regardless of whether any school-child with an activation badge is present in the road area. Further, the control unit 32 can optionally comprise a data storage unit 64. The data storage unit can be used for storing data related to the activation of the light modules and data sent by the transmitter of a light module as well as data related to the badges being present in the road area covered by the control unit, such as badge count data and/or badge identification data.

Further, the control unit can optionally comprise a mobile telecommunications unit 66. The mobile telecommunications unit can be used for remote control and monitoring and diagnosis of the system, and for retrieving any data stored by the data storage unit, for example.

It should be noted that the pole mounted light module described for example in relation to fig. 5 is not limited to the use in the system for indicating the presence of a person in a road area according to the invention. Instead, the pole mounted light module can be used in many different traffic applications, and the illumination of the LEDs of the pole mounted light module can be controlled based on a wide variety of inputs. For example, in alternative applications, the LEDs can be controlled by an external or internal temperature and/or humidity sensor so that the LEDs are activated when the temperature falls bellow a certain predetermined limit and/or when the humidity rises above a certain predetermined limit, in order to warn for slippery roads. Also, the pole-mounted light modules can be used to mark a certain roadway section in poor visibility conditions, such as darkness or fog, by being placed along that certain roadway section. The roadway section can for example be a curve. The LEDs of the pole-mounted light modules in such applications can for example be controlled based on input from an internal or external ambient light sensor or fog sensor, so that the light modules are illuminated in darkness or in fog, respectively. Also, the pole-mounted light modules can be used in association with existing traffic signals, whereby the pole-mounted light module can be controlled by the same signal that controls the existing traffic signals. Also, the pole-mounted light modules can be activated by an internal or external proximity sensor which detects incoming pedestrians, vehicles, etc. Also, the pole-mounted light modules can be manually activated, for example by means of a manual switch which is in communication with one or more light modules. This can for example be advantageous at a pedestrian crossing, where a pedestrian about to enter the crossing can activate the pole-mounted light modules arranged in connection with the crossing by actuating a manual switch arranged at the crossing. It should be noted that in case of an internal sensor or any other internal control unit, the receiver can be omitted.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system (10) for indicating presence of a person (40) , in particular a school child, in a road area (12) , said system comprising: a plurality of light modules (16, 20) placed in connection with said road area, each including at least one light source (24), a power source (28, 30) , and a receiver (26) adapted to receive a control signal, an activation badge (38) comprising a transmitter (36) , said badge being adapted to be carried by said person, and a control unit (32) having a transceiver (34) adapted to, upon reception of a transmission signal from said transmitter (36) , send a control signal to each of said plurality of light modules (16, 20) in order to activate the light modules for illumination.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said badge (38) further comprises a motion sensor (58) coupled to the transmitter (36) , whereby the transmitter (36) is activated when the badge is in motion.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transceiver (34) further is adapted to transmit an initiation signal, and wherein said badge (38) further comprises a receiver (60) coupled to the transmitter (36) , whereby the transmitter (36) is activated when the initiation signal is received.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said badge (38) further comprises a timer circuit coupled to the transmitter (36) , whereby the transmitter is activated at certain time intervals.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light source (24) is a light emitting diode.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power source of each light module comprises a rechargeable power source (28) and at least one solar cell (30) for charging said power source (28) .

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light module (16) is placed on a road surface (18) in said road area (12) .

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one light module (16) comprises a body (48) having a thickness of less than 10 mm, said body incorporating at least the light source (s), the power source and the receiver.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said body

(48) has a thickness of less than 5 mm.

10. A system according any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light module (20) is mounted on a pole.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light module (20) comprises an essentially annular housing (52) incorporating at least the light source (s), the power source and the receiver.

12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (32) further comprises a timer unit (62) for controlling the light modules (16, 20) according to a predetermined time schedule.

13. A system according any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (32) further comprises a data storage unit (64) , for storing information related to the system.

14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (32) further comprises a mobile telecommunications unit (66) , for remotely accessing said control unit.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (32) is incorporated in one of said light modules (16, 20) .

16. An activation badge (38) comprising a transmitter (36) adapted to send a transmission signal to a control unit (32) , which control unit is adapted to, upon reception of the transmission signal, send a control signal to each of a plurality of light modules (16, 20) placed in connection with a road area (12) in order to activate the light modules for illumination.

17. A badge according to claim 16, further comprising a motion sensor (58) coupled to the transmitter (36) , whereby the transmitter is activated when the badge (38) is in motion.

18. A badge according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising a receiver (60) coupled to the transmitter (36) and adapted to receive an initiation signal from said control unit (32) , whereby the transmitter (36) is activated when the initiation signal is received.

19. A badge according to any one of claims 16-18, further comprising a timer circuit coupled to the transmitter (36) , whereby the transmitter is activated at certain time intervals.

20. A badge according to any one of claims 16-19, wherein said light modules (16, 20) each includes at least one light source, a power source, and a receiver adapted to receive a control signal .