Abstract: A portable signal for traffic control at intersections, school crossings, traffic accidents, road repairs, and road construction. In the first aspect of the invention, the signal is suspended from an overhead cable which supports an existing traffic signal. The signal is formed by attaching one or more detachable light panels to the sides of a control module. Each light panel is comprised of a rectangular housing and a vertical array of red, amber and green lights mounted in the housing. The control module is a generally rectangular unit comprised of a housing and controls, timing circuits and a power supply mounted in the housing. The timing circuits are conventional and control the "on" and "off" periods of the red, amber and green lights. A remotely controlled power hoist is attached to the top of the control module for raising and lowering the traffic signal. In a second aspect of the invention, the traffic signal is supported on a vertical post which rests on a road surface.

Abstract: A system for determining the condition of a traffic controlling semaphore has an audio sensor mounted in the vicinity of an intersection so the sound level is monitored at all times. A computer is placed into the semaphore controller, and the computer receives the audio signal, a time signal, and a signal representing the status of the semaphore. When a sound is detected above a certain minimum level, which is above the usual traffic noise, a record is generated by the computer, and recorded in permanent form, perhaps printed on paper. The record includes the date, time, and status of the semaphore.

Abstract: A improved siren detector for detecting siren sounds which precess at known warble rates, such as yelp, wail, and high-low, within a selected frequency band. A transducer detects the siren sounds and produces a corresponding electrical output signal. This electrical output signal is filtered to reject signals outside of the selected siren frequency band. The signal is processed to determine the amplitude of the electrical signal, and hence the sound level of the siren sound at the transducer input. This signal is also processed by an amplitude limiter and frequency discriminator to determine the instantaneous frequency of the siren sound. This discriminator is followed by a non-linear filter to remove the FM clicks characteristic of siren sounds having a low signal to noise ratio. Selection filters are used to analyze the precession rates, maximum frequency, minimum frequency, and shape of the precession characteristic to classify the siren as to its type, such as yelp, wail, and high-low.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED traffic signal light containing numerous LEDs and a voltage compensation circuit which allows the traffic light to operate over a wide range of input power voltages, while generating sufficient light intensity to control traffic at a highway intersection. The voltage compensation circuit achieves these objectives without substantially increasing the power consumption, overall cost, or failure rate of the LED traffic signal light. In the preferred embodiment, the voltage compensation circuit disables or rearranges a first and then a second set of LEDs in the traffic light, as the input power voltage drops below a first and then a second threshold voltage, so that the remaining LEDs will be driven by an increased current and generate a greater overall light intensity than if all of the LEDs were driven by the decreased current that would result from the decreased input power voltage.

Abstract: An backup vehicular traffic control system employs a connector-switch including a normally-closed electrical switch connected in series between a traffic signal and a primary control system. In the event of an emergency condition, such as a failure of the primary control system and/or failure of a primary power source, or in the event of a shutdown condition, such as a shutdown of the primary control system and/or shutdown of the primary power source, a connector is manually connected to the connector-switch. The normally-closed electrical switch is opened when the connector is connected to the connector-switch, disconnecting the primary control system from the traffic signal. Also upon the connection of the connector to the connector-switch, an auxiliary control system coupled to the connector is coupled through the connector and connector-switch to the traffic signal. After being connected, the auxiliary control system assumes control of the time of operation of the traffic signal.

Abstract: A traffic information system (10) including a road (12), a vehicle (14) traveling on the road (12) and a traffic light assembly (16) operatively associated with the road (12) is disclosed. The system (10) includes a traffic light assembly (16) comprising at least one traffic light or lamp means (18). The traffic light (18) includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (24) for projecting light rays to the vehicle (14) to provide the driver of the vehicle (14) with a visual signal. The system (10) further comprises a transmitter (20) including a power supply (30) and a modulator (72) for turning the diodes (24) on and off at a rate that is imperceivable to humans while optically transmitting information to a receiver (22) disposed on the vehicle (14).

Abstract: The system includes a high-intensity light source, a fiber optic conduit for transmitting a light-beam, and colored lenses, which emit red, yellow, and green light on fiber optic lines. Each traffic light has a shutter and control means for opening and closing the shutters in the proper sequence for preset time periods to control red, yellow, and green lights.

Abstract: A system for traffic signals for one-side passing, which realizes efficient traffic control during abnormal operation of detectors or the night with little traffic density. Traffic signals 6 and 7 are provided with detectors 8 and 9 for detection of passing of vehicles respectively. Both traffic signals repeat traffic lighting in a cycled manner such as green-red, red-red, red-green and red-red by a sensitive controller 10. Owing to an ill-detection switching device 71, if there is no detection signal input by the detector of one traffic signal within a switch holding time after detection signal is input by the detector of the other traffic signal, the green lighting of one traffic signal will be shifted to a fixed-cycle operation until detection signal input by the detector. The traffic signal shifted to the fixed-cycle operation will be restored to the sensitive operation if the detection signal is input by the detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED traffic signal light containing numerous LEDs and a voltage compensation circuit which allows the traffic light to operate over a wide range of input power voltages, while generating sufficient light intensity to control traffic at a highway intersection. The voltage compensation circuit achieves these objectives without substantially increasing the power consumption, overall cost, or failure rate of the LED traffic signal light. In the preferred embodiment, the voltage compensation circuit disables or rearranges a first and then a second set of LEDs in the traffic light, as the input power voltage drops below a first and then a second threshold voltage, so that the remaining LEDs will be driven by an increased current and generate a greater overall light intensity than if all of the LEDs were driven by the decreased current that would result from the decreased input power voltage.

Abstract: A method for predicting a traffic flow rate at a point on a road to control a traffic light signaling system measures a traffic density on the road to predict a traffic flow rate by utilizing the fact that a velocity of a vehicle on the road is restricted by an interval between successive vehicles, since the traffic density is locally increased when the vehicle interval is not uniform and therefore the spatial mean speed is lowered. This method offers higher accuracy by utilizing a correction coefficient obtained from an actual vehicle distribution, for instance, a coefficient derived from entropy.

Abstract: A traffic signal device having a single, continuously-illuminating lamp and several plain reflectors constructed by optical thin film technique to receive the light beam projected from the lamp and respectively reflecting light components of pre-determined wavelengths to display differently-colored traffic signals. Also, is a lamp detection system which monitors and detects the operation of the lamp and generates a signal to actuate the lamp interchanging mechanism to automatically replace the lamp with a spare lamp once the lamp malfunctions.

Abstract: A traffic control system 10 is provided having an illuminating member 42 and a rotating drum 48. The drum 48 is provided with a red reflector 50, a green reflector 52 and a yellow reflector 54 formed on different portions thereof. A control channel 14 is provided for selectively rotating the drum 48 so that each reflector 50, 52 and 54 can be illuminated by the illuminating member 42 thus providing an indication whether a vehicle should stop, go or exercise caution. The traffic control system 10 is also provided with a monitoring channel 16 which monitors the control channel 14 to insure the circuit is operating properly.

Abstract: A traffic signal network is controlled by an adaptive, fuzzy logic based, distributed system of microprocessors. The system can control multiple intersections in a network of two-way streets. Traffic signal timing at each intersection is be defined by signal control parameters such as cycle time, phase split, and offset time. Local traffic flow data is input to each microprocessor and characterized by membership functions. Fuzzy logic decision rules are applied to the characterized data and used to adjust the signal control parameters at each intersection as a function of the local traffic conditions and the signal parameters in effect at neighboring intersections. Cycle time is adjusted to maintain a good degree of saturation, and phase split is adjusted to achieve similar degrees of saturation on competing approaches. The offset time at each intersection is coordinated with the neighboring intersections and adjusted gradually to optimize traffic flow in the dominant direction.

Abstract: A traffic control system for use at a roadway intersection, the system including traffic control lights, a light flasher structure, and a plurality of load switches electrically coupled with the lights via relay structure to which the flasher structure is connected, the load switches having inputs, and a controller connected with the load switches for controlling normal operation of the lights and flashing of one or more of the lights by the flasher structure in the event of a system malfunction comprising a microprocessor operatively connected with the load switches, flasher, and relay structure to monitor the system for detecting a malfunction event, for recording the detected malfunction event, and for transmitting the malfunction detection to another location; and verification structure at the other locations for i) receiving the transmitted malfunction detection, ii) verifying the event, and iii) initiating malfunction corrective action; whereby the corrective action in the system may be initiated withou

Abstract: A traffic controller system to be utilized as a primary or a back-up unit capable of operating both with an A.C. or a D.C. power supply. The apparatus utilizes a single timing capacitor and an array of timing resistors to generate all timing information for the operation of a traffic light.

Abstract: A system for controlling traffic at a street intersection includes an intersection signal light assembly with a flashing green signal light unit, in addition to the usual red, yellow and green signal light units. A signal controller is provided for the intersection signal light assembly and actuates the flashing green signal light unit during flashing green intervals that precede green intervals in which the green signal light unit of the intersection signal light assembly is actuated. A pre-intersection signal light assembly is located in proximity to a reaction point associated with an approach lane to the intersection. The distance that the reaction point is located from the intersection is determined by considering the reaction time of a driver and the stopping distance of a vehicle in which the vehicle could be safely brought to a stop at the intersection.

Abstract: A traffic control system for controlling vehicular traffic flow at intersections in which the conventional red, yellow, green three light traffic signal that informs a motorist to stop, prepare to stop, and go is supplemented by an auxiliary signal spaced from the intersection. The auxiliary signal informs a motorist that he will have sufficient time to make a gradual normal stop at the intersection before the red stop light is switched on, provided he has not passed the auxiliary signal when the yellow light of the traffic signal is illuminated. If he has passed the auxiliary signal when the yellow light of the traffic signal is switched on, he will know that he can proceed through the intersection before the red stop light is switched on. The auxiliary signal may be a single or double yellow light operating in synchronism with the yellow light of the traffic signal, or it may be another type of signal, such as a painted zone on the roadway surface.

Abstract: A traffic control system is provided wherein the green and/or red signal lights are blinked momentarily at a predetermined interval before the direction of traffic is changed, and wherein a marker is placed along the roadway at a normal distance of travel within the timing of the blink signal to enable motorists to gauge their driving to save gasoline and achieve greater safety solely by noting their location relative to the marker when the blink signal occurs. Further, the invention relates to the use of this traffic signalling system in connection with a semi-actuated controller having a synchrolizer providing a background cycle, wherein the timing of the blink signal and the yellow caution signal is obtained from the synchrolizer. A specific feature resides in a novel means to prevent the synchrolizer from triggering a change in direction of traffic without a prior actuation of the blink signal.

Abstract: A coordinator for a traffic signal controller having a motor and associated switching system for establishing the duty and width cycle of the controller. The controller being connected, via electrical circuitry, to an AC power grid. The coordinator is a self-contained unit arranged for connection to the controller to effect coordination thereof by producing timing signals in response to receipt of either AC signals from the electrical circuitry or stray AC radiation from adjacent sections of the power grid. The coordinator also includes an independent oscillator for producing independent timing signals. Thus, the coordinator can maintain coordination of the controller under normal operating conditions or under the abnormal operating conditions of a local power failure or a general power failure.

Abstract: A device used in the control of automobile traffic signal systems for maintaining a local time reference during periods when the a.c. power is interrupted. An accurate oscillator such as a crystal controlled oscillator is used to provide a local time reference during power interruptions. The device maintains a local clock in synchronism with the a.c. power when the power is present and maintains the time reference in synchronism with the crystal oscillator during those periods when the a.c. power is absent. Pulse trains at different rates generated in synchronism with the oscillator are combined to achieve these objects.

Abstract: Traffic signals at an intersection are controlled by one or more controllers of the state/interval type, located in the vicinity of the intersection. One or more remote units that are portable or mobile communicate with the controller via a coded signal to command specific light operations, instruct a secondary controller to take-over light control at the intersection from a primary controller, and to reprogram the operation of the controller on a temporary or permanent basis. The remote units generate a code that must be received accurately by the controller before commands are followed. In order to economically provide such a code, the code generator employs a diode matrix that orders data words and address words and is easily reprogrammed. The traffic signal indicator operation is monitored by the controller both to detect controller error, as by a voltage error resulting from an incorrect controller action, and to detect a non-controller error, as by a current error resulting from a burned out indicator.

Abstract: A synchronization device for the control of an automobile traffic signal in synchronization with other traffic signals in the system. A present time clock in the device operates from the local alternating current power source. The synchronization device calculates the time difference between the present time and a daily re-synchronization time, divides that time difference by the length of the operating cycle of traffic signal, and generates a synchronization pulse whenever the residue of the division is zero. An offset or time-delay is added to the synchronization pulse and the traffic signal is operated in response to the delayed synchronization pulse so as to operate with the desired time delay in coordination with the other signals in the system.

Abstract: In a digital pretimed traffic controller of the type used to control traffic signals at an intersection during a selected signal cycle there is provided an improvement wherein a demand signal, such as created by a detector, is directed to the controller. The demand signal is used for selecting one of a plurality of interval sequences within a fixed time cycle background. In this manner, the digital pretimed controller is compatible with electro-mechanical controllers and still retains traffic actuation versatility. The controller also is constructed to assure that the overall cycle length and the programmable individual interval times are identical before the particular timing plan can be accepted by the controller.