Patent ID: 6204778
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
A traffic monitoring and warning system for a vehicle approaching a hazard, comprising:(i) a first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays disposed adjacent a traffic lane in a first detection zone approaching a hazard for sensing a vehicle in said first detection zone and for producing signals indicative of said sensed vehicle;(ii) a second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, in a second detection zone downstream of said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays for sensing a vehicle in said second detection zone and for producing signals indicative of said sensed vehicle in said second detection zone;(iii) a processor operatively connected both to said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, and to said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, said processor for analysing said signals from said first set of electro-acoustic sensor arrays indicative of said sensed vehicle in said first detection zone to determine if said sensed vehicle is a truck, to determine a truck classification of said truck, and to determine an appropriate safe speed for traversing said hazard in view of hazard site-specific information and said classification, said processor also for analysing signals from said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensors for determining the speed of said truck in said second detection zone, and(iv) a traffic signalling device associated with said traffic lane and disposed downstream of said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, said traffic signalling device being controlled by said processor to provide a warning to said truck concerning said appropriate safe speed, said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays being upstream of said traffic signal, said processor also determining the actual speed of said truck in said first detection zone and activating said traffic signalling device if said actual speed exceeds said appropriate safe speed, said processor including a timer for discontinuing operating said traffic signalling device, said processor activating said timer in response to deceleration of said truck, said processor alternatively for discontinuing the operation of said traffic-signalling device if the speed of said truck in the second detection zone no longer exceeds said appropriate safe speed for said truck.