Patent Publication Number: US-8125349-B2

Title: Warning system for protection from wrong-way drivers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This is a National Phase of International Application No. PCT/DE2005/002206 filed on Dec. 7, 2005, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 20 2005 001 927.5 filed on Feb. 4, 2005. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a warning system for protection from wrong-way drivers, in particular on freeways and expressways, wherein a warning and/or alarm of a vehicle traveling contrary to the prescribed travel direction is to be performed using a warning signal. 
     In preceding years, the number of wrong-way drivers, who endanger not only their own lives, but also the lives of other people, on freeways and expressways has strongly increased, also because of ever-increasing traffic. 
     It is known that display elements are attached to crossings and/or freeway overpasses for the directional indications in road traffic and/or for notifications of merging lanes or speed limits. These display elements are typically situated above the roadway in such a way that they may be perceived rapidly by the approaching vehicle driver even from a large distance. 
     However, the display elements known from the prior art have the disadvantage that information about speed limits and/or merging lanes may be obtained, but no means are provided which inform of a wrong-way driver possibly located on the freeway. 
     The present invention is thus based on the object of suggesting a warning system for protection from wrong-way drivers, which ensures secure and effective protection by detection, analysis, and relay of signals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is achieved by a warning system according to the teaching of claim  1 . 
     Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the subclaims. 
     The invention is based on the main idea of providing a warning system for protection from wrong-way drivers, wherein warning and/or alarming of a vehicle traveling contrary to the prescribed travel direction is performed using a warning signal, and wherein the warning signal is an optical and/or acoustic warning signal. 
     The suggested warning system thus has the advantage of also implementing the possibility of an acoustic warning signal in addition to an optical warning signal. This is particularly of great advantage in the event of poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain or fog, in which a warning notification only executed optically may possibly be overlooked. On the other hand, a warning signal which is only emitted acoustically would have the disadvantage of not being heard in the event of loud internal noises in the passenger vehicle, such as conversations of several people or loud music. Thus, in a special embodiment of the invention, an acoustic warning signal is to be emitted simultaneously in addition to an optical warning signal. 
     To achieve a simple and effective warning effect, the optical warning signal may be implemented as a warning lamp, in particular a blinking light and/or traffic signal. The use of such an optical warning signal would have the advantage that the warning system may be produced very cost-effectively. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the optical warning signal may be implemented like a signal board, various signal patterns and/or inscriptions being able to be represented on the signal board. The advantage of such a signal board is the fact that very detailed information, such as “warning—wrong-way driver”, may be communicated to approaching vehicle drivers. 
     To ensure that the acoustic warning signal may be perceived by all traffic participants, it is conceivable to execute the acoustic warning signal using a siren and/or horn. The use of such an acoustic warning signal would have the advantage that the vehicle occupants have the possibility of perceiving the acoustic warning signal even in the event of loud music, for example. 
     In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the acoustic warning signal is a speech signal transmitted by a loudspeaker, such as “warning—wrong-way driver”. Such an acoustic warning notification would represent very efficient notification of the imminent danger with simple means. 
     Furthermore, a control unit may be provided on the warning system for controlling the optical and/or acoustic signals. Using this control unit it is possible to store and/or replay various intervals of the optical and/or acoustic warning signals. Furthermore, such a control unit has advantage that the warning system according to the present invention may be adapted to the current traffic situation at any time. 
     To implement especially cost-effective operation of the warning system, the warning system may be operated electrically and/or via solar cells. It is possible above all by using solar cells to significantly reduce the operating costs of the warning system according to the present invention. 
     To provide the warning system with an area of use which is as extensive as possible, the warning system is mountable on a support element, such as a bridge, an overpass, a pillar, and/or a freeway sign or the like. This would have the advantage that no additional or further retainers or support elements would have to be provided for the warning system. 
     In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, a sensor for detecting and/or recognizing a wrong-way driver may be provided in and/or on the warning system. Such a sensor would have the advantage that especially rapid and effective warning of a wrong-way driver may be performed. Therefore, a very safe and efficient warning system for protection from wrong-way drivers may be ensured using simple means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained for exemplary purposes in the following. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of the functional principle of the warning system according to the present invention in a top view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of a freeway section in a top view, the freeway section having two roadways  01  and  02 . A support element  03  is situated above the roadways  01  and  02 . Warning systems  04  are situated on both sides of the support element  03 , a separate warning system  04  being assigned to each lane  05 ,  06 ,  07 , and  08  in each travel direction. 
     The warning system  04  has, inter alia, two optical warning signals  09  and  10  in each case, which are attached to the warning system  04  in such a way that they may be recognized easily by the vehicle driver even from a large distance. 
     If a wrong-way driver is located on the freeway, as shown here by the wrong-way driver  11  on the lane  06 , the warning systems  04  are activated in both travel directions for the lanes  05  and  06  and thus signal to the other traffic participants that a wrong-way driver  11  is located on the freeway. The other traffic participants  12  and  13  may thus be warned in a timely manner and may avoid the approaching wrong-way driver  11  on the roadway  05 . In addition to the optical warning signals  09  and  10 , acoustic warning signals may be used. 
     The use of such a warning system  04  thus has the advantage that not only are the other traffic participants  12  and  13  warned of the wrong-way driver  11 , but rather also the wrong-way driver  11  obtains an optical an acoustic notification that he is located on the wrong roadway.