Patent Publication Number: US-2023162600-A1

Title: Lighted traffic control device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/264,455 filed Nov. 23, 2021 for “Lighted Traffic Control Device” of Jennifer Ealey, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Work zones on highways and roadways are extremely dangerous for the work crews. Even with extensive signage and road barriers, workers are killed in work zones every year. Often, drivers will say that road signage “disappears” (or blends into the background) because of the numerous clutter of signs (both road signs and commercial signs) already seen daily by motorists alongside the roadway. As such, many drivers do not even notice work zone signage on the side of the road when entering a work zone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an implementation of example lighted traffic control devices configured to provide drivers with warnings in a work zone that is partially closed for road repair. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an example lighted traffic control device. 
         FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional view of the example lighted traffic control device shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view of the example lighted traffic control device shown in  FIG.  2    having an X-shape pattern. 
         FIG.  5    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device having a circle shape pattern. 
         FIG.  6    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device having an arrow shape pattern. 
         FIG.  7    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device having a configurable pattern. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A lighted traffic control device is disclosed which may be utilized in work zones as a temporary traffic control device for the use on roadways. An example lighted traffic control device may be implemented as a mat configured for placement on a road surface to bring attention to approaching lane closures and other work zone strategies. 
     In an example, the lighted traffic control device includes an independent power source integral with the mat. The example lighted traffic control device also includes an LED lighting circuit having a plurality of LED lights inset into the mat in a configuration corresponding to a road sign. The road sign may be permanently embedded in the mat, or configurable, e.g., by turning LED lights on/off according to a pattern. The example lighted traffic control device also includes a control circuit integral with the mat to operate the LED lighting circuit according to a road or lane closure plan. 
     The example lighted traffic control device may include universally known traffic control colors such as those used by nearly every country throughout the world. This makes the lighted traffic control device recognizable by nearly all drivers globally. The example lighted traffic control device can help to decrease the number of accidents and fatalities due to distracted or drowsy drivers, by “grabbing” the drivers attention where the driver is most likely to be looking—at the road ahead. 
     Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.” 
     It is also noted that the examples described herein are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein. 
     The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an implementation of example lighted traffic control devices configured to provide drivers with warnings in a work zone  1  that is partially closed for road repair. 
     An example lighted traffic control device  10  includes a mat  11  which can be driven over and has inlaid solar panels, a chargeable battery pack, and a designated lighting pattern  12 . Example light patterns  12  may be generated by light emitting diodes (LEDs) and may include by way of example, a green “O”  14  to indicate a travel lane, a yellow “O”  16  to indicate caution (the lane is ending), and a red “X”  18  to indicate a lane closure. Other colors and/or light patterns  12  may also be provided, such as but not limited to one or more arrows (see, e.g.,  FIG.  6   ). 
     The lighted traffic control device  10  is configured for positioning on a road  2  to bring attention to approaching lane closures  3  and other work zone strategies (e.g., rerouting traffic, slowing traffic). It is noted that motorists are statistically more likely to straddle an object in the roadway rather than run it over. With that in mind the example lighted traffic control device  10  may be designed for widths from about 3-4 feet. In an example, the mat is about 3 inches tall and about 3 feet wide by 3 feet long. However, larger and smaller configurations are also contemplated for other application needs. 
     In an example, the lighted traffic control device  10  is capable of withstanding force and weight of trucks, vehicles, and equipment traveling over the roadway. For example, the mat  11  may be made of rubber and/or other hard material, and the LED lights, solar panels, and circuitry may be embedded in the mat. In an example, the LED lights, solar panels, and circuitry are waterproof for all weather applications. The example lighted traffic control device  10  may also have a no-slip design to reduce movement on the roadway. 
     The traffic control device  10  may include a heavy rubber mat suitable for driving over by vehicular traffic or a mat that is not readily picked up by wind or airflow generated by passing vehicles. The example lighted traffic control device may be temporarily adhered to pavement by the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesive or other anti-slip (e.g., friction) pads (see, e.g., pad  13  in  FIG.  3   ). 
     In an example, traffic control device  10  may include at least one mat attachment to attach the mat  11  on or near the road surface  2 . For example, the mat attachment  20  shown in  FIG.  3    includes one or more spike  21  or other fasteners which may be provided through a corresponding opening  22  formed through the mat  11  and driven into the ground or roadway to secure the mat on or near the road surface  2 . However, other mat attachments may also be provided instead of or in addition to the mat attachment  20 , such as an adhesive, weight, chain, etc. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an example lighted traffic control device  10 . The mat  11  is shown as it may have angled entry and exit planes  15   a ,  15   b  in the event a vehicle tire travels over the mat  11 .  FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional view of the example lighted traffic control device shown in  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  4    is a top plan view of the example lighted traffic control device shown in  FIG.  2    having an X-shape lighting pattern  30 . The example lighted traffic control device  10  includes a mat  11  configured for placement on a road surface, and LED lights. The LED lights may be embedded into the mat (see, e.g.,  FIG.  3   ). 
     In an example, an LED lighting circuit  32  includes a plurality of LED lights  34 . The LED lights may be provided on an LED strip or ribbon. In an example, the LED lights  34  are inset into the mat  11  to reduce or prevent damage to the LED lights  34 . The LED lights  34  may be provided in a configuration or light pattern corresponding to a road sign. In this example, the LED lights  34  form an X-shape pattern  30 . 
     The LED lights  34  are operated by a control circuit  36  integral with the mat  11 . The LED lights  34  may be operated according to a road or lane closure plan. The LED lights  34  may be operated to generate any suitable output (e.g., color, brightness, and even the pattern itself) to bring attention to approaching lane closures and other work zone strategies. 
     In an example, the control circuit  36  may be pre-programmed (e.g., from the manufacturer) to generate a desired lighting output. In another example, the control circuit  36  is programmable. In another example, the control circuit  36  may be programmed on site, e.g., by an operator configuring the control circuit  36  on-board the device  10 . In another example, the control circuit  36  receives a remote control signal. For example, the control circuit  36  may receive a remote control signal to configure and/or update output of the LED lights  34 . This helps keep the user from having to go out onto the roadway to activate/deactivate and/or change output of the LED lights  34 . 
     In an example, the LED lights  34  may be colored and/or the light output color may be changed. For example, the output color of the LED lights  34  may be at least one of “stop” red, “go” or “proceed” green, and a “warning” yellow, e.g., as may be defined by traffic safety standards. The output color of the LED lights  34  may be controllable (e.g., by the control circuit  36 ) to switch between the different colors. By way of illustration, the color output by the LED lights  34  may be changed from yellow to red or from red to green, depending on the needs at the worksite. Of course, other colors may also be utilized as needed by the end-user and/or application (e.g., for parade routes, for processions, etc.). 
     The control circuit  36  and LED lights  34  are powered by an independent (i.e., receiving no outside power) on-board power source  38  provided integral with the mat  11 . In an example, the power source  38  is at least one solar panel embedded in the mat  11 . The power source  38  may also include at least one battery. For example, the power source  38  includes one or more rechargeable batteries and at least one solar panel to recharge the battery. In another example, electrical power may be provided by a separate power source (e.g., a separate mat having one or more power sources to provide electrical power to one or more adjacent mats). 
       FIG.  5    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device  100  having a circle or “O” shape pattern  130 . It is noted that 100-series reference numbers are used to describe corresponding parts already described above and may not be described again with reference to  FIG.  5    where that description would otherwise be the same as previously described. 
     In an example, an LED lighting circuit  132  includes a plurality of LED lights  134 . The LED lights may be provided on an LED strip or ribbon. In an example, the LED lights  134  are inset into the mat  111  to reduce or prevent damage to the LED lights  134 . The LED lights  134  may be provided in a configuration or light pattern corresponding to a road sign. In this example, the LED lights  134  form an “O” shape pattern  130 . 
     The LED lights  134  are operated by a control circuit  136  integral with the mat  111 . The LED lights  134  may be operated according to a road or lane closure plan. The LED lights  134  may be operated to generate any suitable output (e.g., color, brightness, and even the pattern itself) to bring attention to approaching lane closures and other work zone strategies. 
       FIG.  6    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device  200  having an arrow shape pattern  230 . It is noted that 200-series reference numbers are used to describe corresponding parts already described above and may not be described again with reference to  FIG.  6    where that description would otherwise be the same as previously described. 
     In an example, an LED lighting circuit  232  includes a plurality of LED lights  234 . The LED lights may be provided on an LED strip or ribbon. In an example, the LED lights  234  are inset into the mat  211  to reduce or prevent damage to the LED lights  234 . The LED lights  234  may be provided in a configuration or light pattern corresponding to a road sign. In this example, the LED lights  234  form arrow shape pattern  230 . 
     The LED lights  234  are operated by a control circuit  236  integral with the mat  211 . The LED lights  234  may be operated according to a road or lane closure plan. The LED lights  234  may be operated to generate any suitable output (e.g., color, brightness, and even the pattern itself) to bring attention to approaching lane closures and other work zone strategies. For example, the arrows may be lit and dimmed or turned off sequentially to indicate forward motion. Or for example, 1 or more of the arrows may be lit while one or more of the other arrows are not lit. Different arrows may be lit with different colors and/or brightness. 
       FIG.  7    is a top plan view of another example lighted traffic control device  300  having a configurable pattern  330 . That is, the LED lights  334  are provided as a panel that can be activated to output a plurality of different shape signs. It is noted that 300-series reference numbers are used to describe corresponding parts already described above and may not be described again with reference to  FIG.  7    where that description would otherwise be the same as previously described. 
     In an example, an LED lighting circuit  332  includes a plurality of LED lights  334 . The LED lights may be provided as a panel and/or as parallel LED strips or ribbons arranged to configure multiple different patterns of light output corresponding to more than one road sign. In an example, the LED lights  334  are inset into the mat  311  to reduce or prevent damage to the LED lights  334 . 
     The LED lights  334  are operated by a control circuit  336  integral with the mat  311 . The LED lights  334  may be operated according to a road or lane closure plan. The LED lights  334  may be operated to generate any suitable output (e.g., color, brightness, and even the pattern itself) to bring attention to approaching lane closures and other work zone strategies. For example, the control circuit  336  may be operable to activate/deactivate the LED lights and to control blinking/solid output, color output, and display different patterns (e.g., the X,  0 , the arrows described above, and/or other patterns) to be output by the LED lights  334 . 
     It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.