Patent ID: 8395530

Claim:
A traffic control system for converting an intersection into a roundabout, said system comprising: traffic monitoring means for monitoring a flow of traffic into and through an intersection; in which said traffic monitoring means includes an infrared detector for detecting motor vehicles entering said intersection; and a pressure plate on each road leading into said intersection to detect the number of cars entering said intersection over time; a concrete disc defining an inner area of a roundabout disposed in an intersection approximately flush with the roadway leading into and out of the intersection; and which includes a metal disc superimposed on said concrete disc; and a transparent acrylic disc superimposed on said metal disc and illuminable traffic lanes for indicating traffic lanes during normal traffic flow; means for illuminating traffic lanes when said concrete disc is in a recessed position and means for extinguishing said lane illumination when said disc is elevated; in which said concave opening in said intersection for recessing said concrete disc includes a plurality of rubber rings around said opening for abutting said concrete disc to reduce vibration therein when said concrete disc is recessed so that traffic flows across the disc and through the intersection; hydraulic means for elevating said disc in response to a signal from said traffic monitoring means; which includes illuminated means around the outer periphery of said disc for warning drivers of said disc when said disc is elevated; means including said hydraulic means for returning said traffic flow to normal by returning said disc to the un-elevated position; and a lighting system at the entrance of said intersection/roundabout to warn an operator of a motor vehicle when the intersection is operated as a conventional intersection and when it is operational as a roundabout; and which includes a traffic light at the end of each road leading into said intersection and said roundabout for alerting a driver to the intersection or roundabout.