JP5653973B2 - Intersection traffic light with 100% green signal effectiveness - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal at an intersection.

  Inventions related to intersection signals to smooth traffic of people and cars at intersections as much as possible to alleviate traffic jams at intersections and to avoid accidents between people and cars or vehicles are exemplified in the following patent documents Various proposals have been made. In Patent Document 1, the traffic volume flowing from each inflow path of the intersection is measured and the inflow is measured in order to optimally control the light color period of the traffic light so as to simultaneously satisfy the two requirements of reducing traffic congestion and reducing traffic accidents. Calculate the traffic volume predicted value of the road, and based on the measured traffic volume and the traffic volume predicted value, the cost C (s) obtained by integrating the number m of signal queues in all the inflow paths at the intersection over the signal cycle period T To calculate the optimal timing Gopt for switching the color from blue to another color that minimizes the cost C (s), and sets a period related to the optimal timing Gopt for switching the color of the lamp. A traffic signal control method that permits performing dilemma sensitivity control processing by setting F is proposed. Patent Document 2 discloses statistical data by synchronizing uplink data (positions, speeds, and time data), signal switching timing data, and traffic volume data obtained by a vehicle detector collected in the past. It is proposed that the traffic flow behavior, in particular, the distance from the stop line at the intersection to the stop position in the matrix is accurately predicted by statistical analysis using correlation parameters and table data. In Patent Document 3, in order to make the movement of the vehicle at the intersection smooth and safe and to increase the number of passing vehicles per hour, the first auxiliary signal device before the intersection and the second auxiliary signal device before that. It has been proposed to control the first and second auxiliary traffic lights in relation to the intersection traffic lights. In Patent Document 4, a parent signal control device and a plurality of child signal control devices are provided, and each child signal control device is provided to the parent signal control device so as to control the signal lamp at an appropriate timing according to the flow of the vehicle. It has been proposed to link at different timings. Patent Document 5 discloses a link travel time of a downstream road link connected to the downstream of the first intersection where the first traffic light is installed in order to prevent the traffic jam from spreading over a wide area and to relieve the wide traffic jam. To determine the timing for switching the signal of the second traffic light installed at the second intersection connected to the downstream side of the downstream road link based on the link travel time of the downstream road link and the switching timing of the first traffic light It has been proposed to do.

JP 2006-079455 A JP 2008-102849 A JP 2010-122722 A JP 2010-287125 A JP 2011-203933 A

  As seen in each of the above patent documents, the improvement in signal processing at the intersection so far is directed to optimally controlling the switching timing of the intersection signal in accordance with the actual number of vehicles passing through the intersection. It has been. However, in order to optimize the switching timing of the intersection signal by such control, it is necessary to grasp the traveling state of the vehicle passing through the intersection by actual measurement, and the measurement equipment and the measurement data processing device for that purpose are expensive. However, as vehicle body length and acceleration / deceleration performance diversify, there is a concern that accurate control and estimation of vehicle driving conditions may cause large errors, resulting in deviation in optimization control of intersection signal switching timing. Is done.

  On the other hand, at the intersection, even if the traffic light turns blue, the right turn vehicle cannot proceed as long as there is an oncoming vehicle, and there is no oncoming vehicle, or even if the oncoming vehicle is crossed by crossing the oncoming lane, the right turn If there are pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing across the following lane, the right turn car will be forced to wait there temporarily, and it will not be possible to clear the path to the subsequent right turn car. Can not do it. In the case of a left turn, if there is a pedestrian on the pedestrian crossing that crosses the lane after the left turn, the left turn is forced to wait there, and the left turn cannot proceed to the next left turn. Can not do it. Thus, at intersections, many vehicles frequently waste a green light period.

  The fact that the vehicle cannot proceed even though the signal for its own vehicle travel band is blue means that the traffic light is not operating effectively during that time. This is due to the fact that conventional traffic control at intersections is based on the concept of switching intersection traffic between two intersecting roads. The present invention recognizes one road as two roadways whose traveling directions are opposite to each other, and arranges traffic based on the concept of switching between four roadways that interfere with each other, thereby enabling effective use of a green light. It is an object to provide an intersection traffic signal with a degree of 100%.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is a traffic signal at an intersection where the first and second roads each having a vehicle travel band facing each other intersect.
A first signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A second signal mode in which the signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A third signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A fourth signal mode including a fourth signal mode in which a signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, a signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and a pedestrian is prohibited from passing any intersection. A traffic light characterized by circulating a signal mode is proposed.

  The above traffic light further includes a fifth signal mode in the signal mode to be circulated, and in the fifth signal mode, the signal lights for all of the vehicle travel bands are red, and the pedestrian can freely pass through the intersection. May be allowed.

  Assuming that the first and second roads are left-hand traffic roads, the first to fourth traffic modes are such that the vehicle travel band with the signal light blue travels counterclockwise when the intersection is viewed from above. May be switched.

  One execution time of each of the first to fifth signal modes may be individually set according to at least one of the day of the week and the time zone of the day.

Traffic lights at intersections where the first and second roads, each having a vehicle travel band that faces each other,
A first signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A second signal mode in which the signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A third signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A fourth signal mode including a fourth signal mode in which a signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, a signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and a pedestrian is prohibited from passing any intersection. If the signal mode is circulated, in any of the first to fourth signal modes, the vehicle in the vehicle travel band in which the signal light is blue is routed by an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian. It is possible to proceed straight ahead, left turn, or right turn without any obstacles, and any vehicle can effectively use the entire period when the signal light is blue and pass through the intersection. There is no waste.

  The above traffic light further includes a fifth signal mode in the signal mode to be circulated, and in the fifth signal mode, the signal lights for all of the vehicle travel bands are red, and the pedestrian can freely pass through the intersection. If it comes to permit pedestrians, safe crossing of a pedestrian can be ensured. In this case, the pedestrian can also pass through the intersection diagonally.

  If the signal at the intersection is the circulation of the first to fourth signal modes or the first to fifth signal modes as described above, the number of signal modes will surely increase. The two-signal mode or the two-signal mode + the right turn only mode is shorter than the duration of each signal mode, and the time required for the four-signal mode or the five-signal mode to make a round is the conventional two-signal mode or the two-signal mode + the right turn only mode. If the time is about the same as the time required for one round, the overall signal waiting time does not change. Drivers and pedestrians waiting for traffic lights generally start to get frustrated when a single signal lasts for more than a minute. In the conventional two-signal mode or two-signal mode + right turn exclusive mode, the limit of one cycle of signal switching that does not irritate a driver or a pedestrian waiting for a signal is about 2 minutes. When the 5 signal mode is repeated in 2 minutes, the average time per signal mode is 24 seconds. If a right turn car or a left turn car is not obstructed by an oncoming car or a pedestrian, a considerable number of vehicles can pass through the intersection in 24 seconds, but the signal stays in one state for 1 minute. If the signal mode is circulated in the 5-signal mode as described above, it is considered that there is no irritation for drivers and pedestrians waiting for signals. If the average time per signal mode can be increased to about 30-40 seconds without annoying drivers and pedestrians, and one cycle of signal switching can be extended to about 2 minutes 30 seconds to about 3 minutes 20 seconds. Seem.

  Assuming that the first and second roads are left-hand traffic roads, the first to fourth traffic modes are such that the vehicle travel band with the signal light blue travels counterclockwise when the intersection is viewed from above. When one of the signal modes ends and the vehicle in the corresponding vehicle travel band starts by starting the next signal mode, the vehicle travel route in the previous signal mode starts in the next signal mode. Because it is farthest from the leading vehicle, it is unlikely that it will be a hindrance if the final vehicle in the previous signal mode is delayed.

  In many cases, changes in the number of vehicles and people crossing each intersection and the direction of passage thereof have characteristics depending on the day of the week or the time of day. Looking at the first to fourth signal modes for vehicles, the number of vehicles that follow the two signal modes in which the vehicle traveling directions face each other is greatly different between the morning and evening commuting hours and The difference is often reversed between morning and evening. Therefore, if the execution time of each of the first to fifth signal modes is set individually according to the day of the week or the time of the day, at the intersection. Even if the traffic of the vehicle is not actually measured, switching of the intersection signal is more effective for changes in the number of vehicles and people crossing the intersection according to the day of the week or the time of day, and the direction of passage of the vehicle. Appropriate responses can be made.

It is the schematic which illustrates the condition of an intersection when the traffic signal by this invention exists in one of said 1st-5th signal mode. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the situation of an intersection when the traffic light according to the present invention is in a signal mode next to the signal mode shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the situation of an intersection when the traffic light according to the present invention is in a signal mode next to the signal mode shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the situation of an intersection when the traffic light according to the present invention is in a signal mode next to the signal mode shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the situation of an intersection when the traffic light according to the present invention is in a signal mode next to the signal mode shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the transition of the lighting aspect of the traffic signal for vehicles and the traffic signal for pedestrians which perform the said 1st-5th signal mode in the intersection shown in FIGS. It is a graph which shows an example of the aspect which changes time Ta-Tj shown in FIG. 6 according to progress of the time in one day.

  The intersection illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is an intersection where a one-lane two-lane road that runs east and west and a one-lane two-lane road that runs north and south intersect, and the road is left-hand traffic, before the intersection of the road that runs east-west. Is equipped with the same additional lane as the conventional right turn lane. However, according to the present invention, there is no waiting for a right turn at a green light, and the conventional right turn lane may be used as a right turn and a straight lane. In the intersection, there is a pedestrian crossing area that allows pedestrians to walk in all directions.

  The signal mode shown in FIG. 1 is an “eastbound” signal mode in which only vehicles arriving at the intersection from the west on the east-west road are passed. In this signal mode, the signal lights for vehicles arriving at the intersection from the west on the east-west road are blue and then yellow for a short time, and all the signal lights for vehicles arriving at the intersection from other directions and pedestrians are all It is considered red. This signal mode lasts for the blue time Ta + yellow time Tb as shown in FIG. The blue time Ta and the yellow time Tb may be changed during one day, for example, as illustrated in FIG. As shown in the example in the figure, if vehicles that have reached the intersection are sorted in advance to turn left or go straight, go straight, turn right or go straight, if both vehicles pay attention only to the preceding and parallel vehicles, Since it is possible to proceed freely without being obstructed by the person, it is possible to pass through the intersection promptly.

  The signal mode shown in FIG. 2 is a signal mode that is executed following the signal mode shown in FIG. 1, and is a “northbound” signal mode in which only vehicles arriving at the intersection from the south pass through the north-south road. This signal mode is continued for the blue time Tc + the yellow time Td as shown in FIG. The blue time Tc and the yellow time Td may be changed during one day, for example, as illustrated in FIG. In this case, as shown in the example in the figure, if the vehicles that have reached the intersection have been sorted in advance to turn left or go straight and turn right or go straight, if any of the vehicles only pay attention to the preceding vehicle, Since it can proceed freely without being interrupted by a person, it can quickly pass through the intersection.

  The signal mode shown in FIG. 3 is a signal mode that is executed following the signal mode shown in FIG. 2, and is a “westbound” signal mode that passes only vehicles that have arrived at the intersection from the east-west road. This signal mode lasts for the blue time Te + yellow time Tf as shown in FIG. The blue time Te and the yellow time Tf may be changed during one day, for example, as illustrated in FIG. Also in this case, as shown in the example in the figure, if the vehicles that have reached the intersection are sorted in advance to turn left or go straight, go straight, turn right or go straight, if either vehicle is careful only about the preceding vehicle and the parallel running vehicle, Since it can proceed freely without being obstructed by a person on a car or a pedestrian crossing, it can quickly pass through the intersection.

  The signal mode shown in FIG. 4 is a signal mode that is executed following the signal mode shown in FIG. 3, and is a “southbound” signal mode in which only vehicles arriving at the intersection from the north on the north-south road are passed. This signal mode is continued for the blue time Tg + the yellow time Th as shown in FIG. The blue time Tg and the yellow time Th may be changed during the day, for example, as illustrated in FIG. Also in this case, as shown in the example in the figure, if the vehicles that have reached the intersection are sorted in advance into a left turn or a straight turn and a right turn or a straight turn, if any of the vehicles pay attention only to the preceding car, Since it is possible to proceed freely without being obstructed by the upper person, it is possible to pass through the intersection promptly.

  The signal mode shown in FIG. 5 is a signal mode that is executed following the signal mode shown in FIG. 4. All the vehicles that have arrived at the intersection on the east, west, north, and south roads are stopped and all directions in the intersection are displayed. The pedestrian crossing area that can be walked is opened to pedestrians. Therefore, a pedestrian who intends to proceed diagonally forward through the intersection can pass through the intersection with a single signal. As shown in FIG. 6, this signal mode lasts for the time Tj when the pedestrian signal is blue + the time Tj when the pedestrian signal blue is blinking. The time Ti and the time Tj may be changed during the day, for example, as illustrated in FIG.

  While the invention has been described in detail with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

As a traffic signal at the intersection where the first and second roads each having a vehicle travel band facing each other intersect, the first and second roads are left-hand traffic roads,
A first signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A second signal mode in which the signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the first road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A third signal mode in which the signal light for one vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersection;
A fourth signal mode in which the signal light for the other vehicle travel band of the second road is blue, the signal light for all other vehicle travel bands is red, and pedestrians are prohibited from passing any intersections. A traffic light that circulates so that the vehicle travel band with the signal light blue as viewed from above is switched so as to proceed in the counterclockwise direction . A fifth signal mode is additionally included in the signal mode to be circulated, and in the fifth signal mode, the signal lights for all of the vehicle driving bands are set to red, and the pedestrian is allowed to freely pass through the intersection. The traffic light according to claim 1. The traffic light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each execution time of the signal mode to be circulated is set individually according to at least one of a day of the week and a time zone within a day. .

Images