Abstract:
A hazardous vehicle alert system comprising a control module, a special graphical user interface, a global positioning system device, a speed and distance detector, and an alarm module where the user sets alarm triggers based on reaction time until potential impact from the hazardous vehicle. The user can assess the landscape, traffic patterns, and specifics of the task at hand to determine the required reaction time to take evasive maneuvers from the threat of on-coming hazardous vehicles and create alarm triggers to yield this reaction time. A software package is used to drive the graphical user interface, control module, alarm module, and detector module. The system includes modes ranging from one to four pieces and a mode that can be installed in a vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/577,11 with the same title, Hazardous Vehicle Alert System And Method Based On Reaction Time, Distance And Speed, filed on Oct. 9, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an apparatus and method that notifies roadside work crews or other persons located near a roadway or highway to the approach of on-coming traffic that could collide with said persons thereby representing a significant risk of bodily harm to them. Specifically, the invention uses a control unit, a special graphical user interface coupled to the control unit, a speed and distance detection device coupled to the control unit, and an alert unit coupled to the control unit, where the invention can be programmed in the field by the crew to signal of on-coming vehicles with certain speed and distance characteristics to provide crews with the necessary reaction times to avoid injury. Reaction time is the amount of time before the on-coming vehicle will reach the crews or other designated location in the work zone. The control unit receives instructions from the graphical user interface and special software operated by a processor where the control unit in turn controls the other invention elements. The control unit signals the alert unit to start an alarm sequence when vehicles are within the specified threshold of characteristics. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    There have been other roadside alert systems. The prior art that appears to be the closest in kind to this invention may be U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,686 by Toman. Toman discloses a system with an optical detection array for detecting physical entry of a hazardous vehicle when it crosses a leg of the array thereby entering a predefined work zone. The detection array is coupled to an optical alert device. Toman teaches an optical signaling alert and opposes an audible alert with rationale that work crews would not be able to hear an audible alarm due to work noise, where an optical alarm is otherwise more effective than an audible alarm. Toman also discloses an embodiment with a radar operated excessive speed detector that is preset to trigger an alarm when a vehicle exceeds the preset speed threshold. The detector would then signal the optical alarm to initiate when a vehicle surpasses the preset speed threshold. 
         [0006]    The instant invention also discloses a type of radar operated excessive speed detector. In this case, a speed and distance detection device communicates with a control module, where the control module may signal an alarm based on data received from the speed and distance detection device. However, the speed and distance detection device of this invention does not simply detect speed; it is a combination speed and distance detector. The combination detector is required to yield a main aspect of this invention, which is the ability to trigger an alarm sequence according to reaction time and not simply according to speed of the hazardous vehicle. 
         [0007]    The idea is that work crews can program the alarm to sound according the specific reaction times determined by the particular time required to notice a hazardous vehicle and then complete evasive measures to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Required reaction times may vary according the specific activity being conducted by the work crews. Thus, if a crew is performing a task that allows personnel to keep a fairly watchful eye on the roadway, such as flagging or surveying, the crew would require a relatively short reaction time, perhaps only 4 seconds, to take effective evasive maneuvers to avoid injury. On the other hand, if the crew is performing more involved roadwork work, such as repaving or repairing, that affords little attention to on-coming traffic, the crew would require much more reaction time, perhaps 12 seconds, to complete evasive maneuvers, such as dropping the shovel and exiting the work area, to avoid injury. We believe this invention is the first roadside alarm device that triggers according to road crew personnel reaction time and also allows the crews to program desired reaction times for the alert in a very user friendly manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention comprises a control module, a special graphical user interface (GUI), a speed and distance detection device, an alert module, and at least one power source. The control module includes a processor, a data storage medium, a global positioning system device, and special software. Control module is coupled to the GUI, the speed and distance detection device, the alert module, and a power source. The GUI includes the ability to set reaction time until impact according to speed of vehicle and distance of vehicle. Optionally, the GUI includes inputs for alert type and alert volume. The GUI also may include the ability to record special message alerts. 
         [0009]    The speed and distance detection device includes the ability to determine speed and distance of on-coming traffic with an operating range of at least 1500 feet in order to provide adequate notice and reaction time for those hazardous vehicles traveling at extremely excessive speeds such as 100 miles per hour. There are a number of these devices available on the market to purchase as components of the invention. 
         [0010]    The alert module is either an optical alarm or an audible alarm. An audible alarm is considered best mode. 
         [0011]    One mode of the invention is packaged into a single unit where all elements can be connected to one power source or one power source system and the control unit is electrically coupled to the other main elements. 
         [0012]    At the other extreme, main elements could be packaged separately, where each would require its own power source or power source system. Thus, the invention could be packaged in as many as four separate units where each has its own power source or power source system. In this case, the control module and all other main element packages would include a radio frequency transmitter and receiver to establish wireless coupling between the units and the control module. 
         [0013]    There is a three-unit mode comprising: one unit with the control module coupled to the GUI with its own power source, one unit with the speed and distance detection device with its own power source, and one unit with the alert module with its own power source, where the control unit is coupled to the speed and distance detection device and the alert module by wireless coupling. 
         [0014]    It is also an aspect of this invention to teach alerting persons located near a roadside work zone to hazardous vehicles entering the work zone comprising: the determination of required reaction time for a specific activity being conducted by the crews at a specific location, entering this required reaction time into the graphical user interface, appropriately aiming said speed and distance detection device at the appropriate work zone boundary, receiving notice of hazardous vehicles when such enter the work zone to provide sufficient notice to crews so that they may take effective evasive maneuvers, and the taking of such evasive maneuvers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an aerial view of the invention, in single-unit mode, placed in a roadside work zone, in order to alert personnel of hazardous vehicles in a designated work zone. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention in single-unit mode with the case open to display main aspects of the special graphical user interface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention in single-unit mode with the case shut as would be the case under normal operation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a blow-up view of the main features included with the special graphical user interface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a blow-up view of the invention in single-unit mode with cover panels removed to depict internal elements that may be optionally included with the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention in cart-mode with the speed and distance detection device and alert module placed on top of the cart. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the invention in cart-mode depicting an optional window in the cart housing that may be used by the speed and distance detection device or the alert module or both, so that these elements may be mounted inside of the cart while using such windows to perform their necessary functions while mounted inside of the cart. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the invention in cart-mode. Sheet  4  depicts the invention in cart-mode with a laptop computer being used for the special graphical user interface where the special software to yield the special graphical user interface is installed on the laptop computer and appear on the laptop computer screen. Sheet  5  depicts the invention in cart-mode with the special graphical user interface installed into the top of the cart. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the special graphical user interface in three-unit mode. In this mode, the GUI and control module are combined in the same hand-held unit that has its own power source. This unit would be coupled by a radio frequency connection to the other main elements depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  includes perspective views of the speed and distance detection device with separate power source and the alert module with separate power source in three-unit mode. These units would be coupled by radio frequency connection to the control module and GUI depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a blow-up view of a mode of special graphical user interface with two parameter input fields. In this mode, the user may enter one speed and distance alarm trigger, which triggers the alarm according to normal procedure described below, as well as one danger speed setting which triggers the alarm at this danger speed at all distances of operation. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a circuit diagram of the main elements of the invention. In single unit mode, main elements may share one power source, as indicated by solid line connections. Alternately, when main elements are packaged separately, they are power by separate power source batteries as indicated by dotted line connections. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITION LIST 
       [0027]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Term 
                 Definition 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 5 
                 Human with shovel 
               
               
                 10 
                 Hazardous vehicle alert system in single unit mode 
               
               
                 15 
                 Hazardous vehicle alert system in cart mode 
               
               
                 20 
                 Control module 
               
               
                 25 
                 Orange cone or similar designating work zone boundary 
               
               
                 30 
                 Special graphical user interface (GUI) 
               
               
                 40 
                 Speed and distance detection device 
               
               
                 50 
                 Alert module 
               
               
                 60 
                 At least one power source 
               
               
                 70 
                 Required reaction time input/setting on GUI 
               
               
                 80 
                 Minimum vehicle speed input/setting on GUI 
               
               
                 90 
                 Minimum vehicle distance input/setting on GUI 
               
               
                 100 
                 Alert type setting input/setting on GUI 
               
               
                 110 
                 Alert volume setting input/setting on GUI 
               
               
                 120 
                 Hazardous vehicle in work zone 
               
               
                 130 
                 Dial to raise or lower designated data field 
               
               
                 140 
                 Select button with up, down, left, right, select, and deselect 
               
               
                 145 
                 Hand-held unit containing 20, 30, and 60 
               
               
                 150 
                 Microphone on GUI 
               
               
                 160 
                 Protective case 
               
               
                 170 
                 Accessory keypad on GUI 
               
               
                 180 
                 One or more cooling fans 
               
               
                 190 
                 Vehicle traffic outside the work zone 
               
               
                 200 
                 Wheels on cart 
               
               
                 210 
                 AC power generator 
               
               
                 220 
                 DC batteries 
               
               
                 230 
                 Window in cart 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The invention  10  comprises: a control module  20 , a special graphical user interface (GUI)  30 , a speed and distance detection device  40 , an alert module  50 , and at least one power source  60 . Control module  20  comprises: a processor, a data storage medium, a global positioning system device, and special software. The software comprises a series of custom applications that control the GUI  30  through electrical connection, and control the speed and distance detection device  40 , and the alert module  50  through electrical or radio frequency connections. 
         [0029]    A significant portion of the software drives the GUI  30 . This application provides for user friendly operation where the required reaction time  70 , minimum vehicle speed  80 , minimum distance  90 , alert type  100 , and alert volume  110  may be quickly entered into the GUI  30  by the user. For instance, the user may first determine that he requires about 10 seconds of reaction time in order to successfully take protective cover from on-coming hazardous vehicles  120  in the construction zone. He could then dial in 10 seconds on the required reaction time  70  portion of the GUI  30 . 
         [0030]    This could be accomplished by a simple mechanical dial  130 ; other type of variable electro-mechanical switch, or the like; a touch screen device with GUI screen with scroll buttons and select buttons for the user to enter and read data where the GUI is created by special software loaded in the data storage medium; a screen device with a mouse or keyboard or both used to enter/read data on a GUI page where the user clicks select buttons on and off, along with save, and cancel commands buttons where the GUI is created by special software loaded in the data storage medium; a hand-held unit  145  housing the control module  20 , GUI  30 , and power source  60  with a physical select button  140  similar to that on a television remote control with left, right, up, down, and press button capability, or similar, used to scroll through at least: the required reaction time  70 , the minimum vehicle speed  80 , and the minimum distance  90  with left and right buttons perhaps, and the adjusting of these fields with up and down buttons perhaps, and select and deselect with subsequent button presses, with at least one screen to display at least one data field and allow adjustment of the data field which would be the GUI element, where the GUI is created by special software loaded in the data storage medium, which also lies in the hand-held unit  145 ; or the like. 
         [0031]    After required reaction time  70  is set, the user could then enter either a minimum vehicle speed  80  or a minimum distance  90 . As one of these two parameters is adjusted, the other necessarily adjusts on the GUI as well. This is because the three main parameters: required reaction time  70 , minimum vehicle speed  80 , and minimum distance  90  form the linear relationship: [minimum distance]=[required reaction time]×[minimum vehicle speed]. Additionally, the GUI application is designed to hold constant the most prior adjusted parameter between these three parameters. As stated above, the required reaction time was just previously set for 10 seconds. Thus, while this parameter is held constant, when the minimum vehicle speed data field  80  is increased by the user, the display data field for minimum distance  90  also increases, because of the relationship stated above. As commanded by the special software loaded on the data storage medium, data fields  70 ,  80 , and  90  in GUI  30  are continuously updated, subject to the rule above, and displayed on the GUI  30 . 
         [0032]    Another embodiment uses data gathered from a global positioning system (GPS) device to determine the speed limit of the particular roadway where the user and hazardous vehicle alert system may be are located. The GPS device interacts with earth satellites to determine earth surface position accurate enough to determine what street or road if any at which the device is located. GPS device then interacts with the special software to determine the “speed limit” set by state and local laws at that particular street or road, if any. 
         [0033]    Then the GUI interacts with the global positioning system device, processor, and special software in order to determine or otherwise register or display the speed limit of the roadway. The GUI registers this speed limit and displays it to the user in a “minimum vehicle speed” data field. The user is then prompted for minimum vehicle speed with presentment to the user of the speed limit of the roadway. With this embodiment, the user is given the option to enter a “plus factor” in relation to the designated speed limit or simply leave this data field set at the speed limit. 
         [0034]    For example, with the GPS embodiment, the user may enter a “plus factor” of 10 miles per hour, where the computer would then automatically set the minimum vehicle speed at the speed limit of the particular roadway plus 10 miles per hour. Thus, if the speed limit were 25 miles per hour on a particular roadway and the plus factor were set for 10 miles per hour, the minimum vehicle speed would automatically be set to 35 miles per hour. 
         [0035]    This is a main aspect of the invention. It is believed that this arrangement will significantly contribute to a reduction in roadside injuries. Crews or other persons located near a roadway can easily set up the invention, visually inspect the boundaries of the work zone, aim the invention accurately within the boundaries, see with their own eyes the distance of notification in their foreground that would be require to yield sufficient reaction time to avoid injury, judge for themselves, taking into account their own personal situations, painting an image in their mind, as it were, for them to see exactly where they would need notification of an on-coming vehicle to avoid injury. The mental image produced from operating the invention may instill behavior in the crews with more thought towards safety. The practice of this invention by the crews will yield better notification of hazardous vehicles while giving them a hands-on approach to protecting themselves, which in turn may promote awareness of safety and better safety practices. 
         [0036]    Moving back to the example, after the required reaction time  70  is set, the user may choose to be notified at a certain minimum distance  90  or at a certain minimum speed  80 . In either case, the other parameter would be automatically calculated and set by the GUI application. After the second main parameter is set, the user could continue to adjust the third. Thus, if the user were to then manually adjust the third parameter, rather than allowing the software application to set it automatically, the required reaction time  70  would then automatically adjust because this was the “oldest” manual adjustment of the three main parameters. The three parameters could effectively be continuously adjusted by the operator until he feels comfortable with the designated required reaction time  70 , minimum vehicle speed  80 , and minimum distance  90  that the physics at hand can afford to offer. The setting would then be saved or set in the control module. 
         [0037]    With the GPS embodiment, after the user has entered the required reaction time, set-up may be complete. If the user already designated a “plus factor” or other wise chosen a default speed value with which to add to the speed limit of the roadway, then set-up is complete. The user only enters the desired reaction time  70 , where minimum speed  80  and minimum distance  90  are then automatically determined. With this embodiment, the user can simply turn on the device and place it on location in the roadway in order to be protected and begin work. 
         [0038]    At this point, the alarm module  50  would sound if a vehicle  120  entered the field of operation of the detection device  40  at the designated minimum vehicle speed  80  or greater while passing through the designated minimum distance  90  from the detector  40 . An example of data used in a typical application appears in  FIG. 11 . User  5  assessed the local terrain, traffic patterns, person situation, and the like, and determined that he would require a reaction time of 10 seconds in the particular case. In addition, the user determined that he wanted a minimum of 500 feet notice of a vehicle approaching his position and set minimum distance  90  on the GUI  30  at 500 feet. Control module  20  then set the detection speed at 34 miles per hour, which would yield 10 seconds notice at 500 feet. The alarm sequence would then start when an on-coming vehicle came within 500 feet of the user  5  or the detection device  40 , traveling at 34 miles per hour or greater. 
         [0039]    The speed and distance detection device  40  includes the ability to determine speed and distance of on-coming traffic with an operating range of at least 1500 feet in order to provide adequate notice and reaction time for those hazardous vehicles traveling at extremely excessive speeds such as 100 miles per hour. Additionally, speed and distance detection device  40  includes the ability to use a conical-shaped send and capture operational zone. The conical shaped active zone is necessary to measure work zone areas because they are typically long and narrow areas. The operational cone shape would be aimed by the operator so that one leg of the cone tip aligns with the boundary between the work zone and non-work zone where traffic is allowed to freely pass beyond this boundary. 
         [0040]    The invention can be easily and accurately aimed. Detection device  40  is mounted on an adjustable base. The user can set distance  90  to operate in a plain where traffic may freely pass. User can then aim detector  40  at traffic  190  sufficiently until traffic is detected. Then the user may slowly adjust the aim of the detector  40  away from traffic  190  and towards traffic  120  just until traffic  190  is just not detected in the conical measuring area of the detector  40 . At this point, there exists a good correlation between the detector  40  boundary edge of the cone shape and the boundary of the work zone. When aimed properly, the speed and distance detection device  40  can operate in a narrow detection operational field, which is required because of the long narrow shape of roadside work zones. This allows traffic  190  outside of the work zone to pass by without activating the alarm  50 , while traffic  120 , just one lane away, will activate the alarm  50 . 
         [0041]    Control module  20  is controllably coupled to: GUI  30 , speed and distance detection device  40 , and alert module  50 . This coupling can be accomplished by hard wire connections such as one or more two-way serial port connections or by a two-way radio frequency wireless connection such as a Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi connection. The control module  20  sends commands to and receives messages from the speed and distance detection device  40  and alert module  50  directly with each. An typical message received by the control module  20  from the speed distance detection device  40  might be a speed measurement of a vehicle passing through the minimum distance plain. Control module  20  also sends and receives commands from the GUI  30 . The control module  20  receives and stores all values set by the GUI  30  and uses these values to send commands to the detection device  40 . When the control module  20  receives speed measurement signals from the detection device  40  at or above the minimum speed  80  set by the GUI  30  at distance  90 , it signals the alarm  50  to start a sequence. 
         [0042]    The control module  20  is also coupled to the at least one power source  60 . The control module could be powered by direct current or alternating current. In either case, the connection would consist of a positive wire connection and a negative (or ground) wire connection between the power source  60  and the control module  20 . Power is required by this module to operate the processor and storage media which together run the software applications described throughout. 
         [0043]    GUI  30  may also include a microphone  150 . Microphone  150  can be used by the user to record special message alerts. GUI  30  includes record, stop, and delete command buttons that are used to record a special message by the user, such as “Slow Down! You are speeding through a construction zone.” The user could then switch alert type  100  to “pre-recorded” so that this message would act as the alarm sequence and play when the alarm is triggered. GUI  30  may optionally include a keypad  170  which can be used to control non-essential operations. 
         [0044]    Alert module  50  may be either an optical alarm or audible alarm. An audible alarm is considered the best mode because applicant believes audible alarms provide more notice. Most work crews operate during the day when optical alarms are typically hard to notice. Also one has to be facing the optical alarm in order to notice it, and this may be impractical in many work crew scenarios. In best mode, the user has the option to set audible alarm as: a siren, a special recorded message, or a preset computer or artificial voice. The optical alarm is a series of strobe lights or continuously burning lights. 
         [0045]    In the single-unit mode, control module  20 , GUI  30 , speed and distance detection device  40 , alert module  50 , and the at least one power source  60  are all contained in one protective case  160 . This mode is depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 . The at least one power source  60  in this mode typically consists of one or more DC batteries. The batteries may optionally be connected to an inverter to yield AC electrical current to power other main elements such as the control module  20  or the GUI  30 . Alternatively, the inverter could be left out to yield DC current power to all modules. Optionally, in single-unit mode, the at least one power source  60  could include a battery charger where the charger is coupled to an AC electrical current connection such as a standard 110 VAC connection where the charger then charges the batteries or otherwise indirectly powers the invention. Optionally, in single-unit mode  20  or cart mode  15 , one or more cooling fans  180  may be added to the invention which would also be coupled to the at least one power source. Optionally, in single unit mode  20  or cart mode  15 , a light signaling that the invention is powered up and operational may be added to the invention which would also be coupled to the at least one power source. The light would appear on the outside surface of the protective case  160 . 
         [0046]    In the single unit mode, the control module  20  and GUI  30  may take the form of a laptop computer installed inside of the protective case  160 . Thus, the software would be installed in the laptop memory and operate through the laptop processor which would operate as the control module  20 . The laptop screen would operate as the GUI  30  with user input conducted through the laptop keyboard or laptop mouse or both. 
         [0047]    In cart mode, control module  20 , GUI  30 , speed and distance detection device  40 , alert module  50 , and the at least one power source  60  are all contained in one protective case  160 . This mode is depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 . In cart mode, the invention sits on wheels  200  so that it can be moved around more easily than the single-unit version. In cart mode, at least one power supply  60  may optionally include a gasoline or diesel AC current generator  210  that can be used to power the invention or to charge one or more DC batteries  220  when generator  210  is coupled to a DC charger. Cart-mode may optionally include one or more windows  230  in the protective case  160  so that speed and distance detection device  40  or alert module  50  or both may function while installed inside of the protective case  160 . 
         [0048]    There is also a vehicle mode (not depicted) where control module  20  and GUI  30  can be installed in the interior of vehicle such as a pickup truck or other utility vehicle, or optionally be installed into one hand-held unit  145 , while the speed and distance detection device  40  is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle on one end of the vehicle with the alert module  50  mounted on the other end of the vehicle. In this mode the at least one power source  60  would be provided by the vehicle battery and vehicle alternator system. This mode is convenient to use because the invention is installed in the vehicle so no hand movement of the apparatus would be required. The user can simply drive the vehicle to the desired location for hazardous vehicle detection and start the alert system without elaborate set-up and without need for extraneous power sources. 
         [0049]    In three-unit mode, the control module  20  and GUI  30  are packaged into one hand-held unit  145  as depicted in  FIG. 9 . Control module  20  and GUI  30  are electrically coupled within the hand-held unit  145 . In this mode, the hand held unit has its own power source in the form of a DC battery. The hand-held unit  145  includes a screen  30  capable of displaying numbers and headings. The user could pan through settings for time  70 , speed  80 , distance  90 , alert type  100 , alert volume, etc. and select and adjust parameters with hand-held unit  145 . The processor, storage medium, and software are located in hand-held unit  145 . Control module  20  is wirelessly coupled to the speed and distance detection device  40  and alert module  50 . Speed and distance detection device  40  and alert module  50  are each housed in separate units with individual power supplies  60  as depicted in  FIG. 10 . This mode has benefit for long-range detection or detection of hazardous vehicles  120  at relatively long distances from the work crews  5 . The detector  40  can be placed several hundred feet from the hand-held unit  145  and alert module  50 . Thus, with this mode, detection of vehicles can be made at a long distance from the crew while the alarm module can still be located relatively close to the crew so that the alarm is sure to be taken notice of by the crew. 
         [0050]    The best mode radio frequency coupling between the hand-held unit  145  and detector unit  40  and alarm unit  50  is Bluetooth protocol. Bluetooth uses adaptive frequency hopping which reduces interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum. This is done by detecting other devices in the spectrum and avoiding the frequencies they are using. Bluetooth has a maximum range of about 100 meters. 
         [0051]    Best mode GUI  30  includes two warning settings as depicted in  FIG. 11 . The first setting, labeled Warning Setting, is the same as discussed above, where a reaction time  70  is chosen along with a minimum distance  90  or speed  80  to deliver a proper warning yielding the required reaction time  70 . Thus, the GUI in  FIG. 11  is set to provide 10 seconds lead time for vehicles entering the work zone at 500 feet away traveling at 34 miles per hour or faster. At the same time, there is another alarm set to sound when any vehicle enters the work zone traveling at 83 miles per hour or faster. This second setting, labeled Danger Setting, is triggered at all distances from detector up to the limit of the detection range of the detector for all vehicles approaching at 83 miles per hour or faster. 
         [0052]    In all modes, power supply  60  may optionally include one or more photovoltaic cells or solar panels where the solar panels act as a battery charger to charge DC batteries incorporated into power supply  60 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a circuit diagram of major elements of the invention. The control module is controllably coupled to alert module, GUI, and speed and distance detection device. This coupling is a two-way data stream connection. The control module is electrically coupled to a power source. Alert module, GUI, and speed and distance detection device are electrically coupled to a power source. Power sources can be alternating current or direct current nature.