Patent ID: 8502697
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for detection of vehicles at a mid-block approaching a traffic-signal-controlled intersection, comprising: (a) operating sensors to detect a vehicle on a traffic lane; (b) inputting intersection data to a processor, the intersection data including intersection traffic flow conditions, intersection site-specific conditions and intersection weather conditions; (c) determining predetermined parameters of a heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) from the sensors; (d) recording data of the predetermined parameters of the HCV; (e) determining from an output of the sensors if the vehicle detected thereby is either a car or a HCV, and only if the detected vehicle is a HCV, then (f) determining if the traffic signal at the intersection is in a red phase, green phase or amber phase; (g) determining whether behavior conditions for the HCV for safely traversing the intersection have been satisfied by evaluating a traffic condition based on speed of the HCV, at least one of the predetermined parameters of the HCV and the intersection data; and (h) operating the processor to control the traffic signal at the intersection in response to the evaluation of the traffic condition and the phase of the traffic signal to enable the HCV safely to traverse the intersection, wherein in the event the traffic signal at the intersection is in a green phase or an amber phase, then operating the processor to calculate a time “y” in seconds to extend the green phase or the amber phase of the traffic signal necessary for the HCV safely to traverse the intersection, and extending the green phase or the amber phase of the traffic signal by the calculated time “y”, and wherein step (h) includes,