Patent ID: 6317058
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
A method of using at least one central controller, at least one intelligent traffic light controller and at least one other intelligent controller for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing warning messages to motorists comprising the acts of:(a) obtaining traffic information from various traffic information units,(b) transmitting the traffic information to at least one central controller,(c) using the central controller to determine traffic congestion parameters and warning information,(d) further using the derived congestion and warning information as input variables to a fuzzy logic controller to derive traffic light phase split control signals,(e) transmitting traffic light phase split control information to one or more intelligent traffic light controllers,(f) setting the traffic light phase splits at at least one traffic light and transmitting a confirmation message back to the central controller,(g) further broadcasting traffic warning information signals from at least one central controller, said traffic warning information signals defining the nature of at least one traffic situation to be avoided, geographic coordinates of the traffic situation and a level of avoidance indication for the identified traffic situations,(h) receiving said broadcast warning information signals at at least one other intelligent traffic controller,(i) determining the geographic coordinates of at least one other receiving intelligent traffic controller,(j) comparing the coordinates of the receiving intelligent traffic controller with the coordinates of the traffic situation to be avoided and computing the distance between that intelligent controller and the situation,(k) using the received level of avoidance indication and the derived distance as fuzzy variable inputs to a second fuzzy logic controller located in the receiving intelligent controller to derive a danger warning message for the traffic situation to be avoided relative to the location of the receiving intelligent controller, and(i) intelligibly indicating the danger warning message to motorists.