Abstract: A traffic control system and device is provided. The traffic control system of the instant invention permits two-way communication between a plurality of traffic signal devices and/or other devices or locations. Each traffic signal device locally controls the state of the traffic signals, while communication between the traffic signal devices is used to synchronize the internal timers or clocks of the plurality of traffic control devices.

Abstract: A traffic control system and device is provided. The traffic control system of the instant invention permits two-way communication between a plurality of traffic signal devices. Each traffic signal device locally controls the state of the traffic signals, while communication between the traffic signal devices is used to synchronize the internal timers or clocks of the plurality of traffic control devices.

Abstract: A traffic control system and device is provided. The traffic control system of the instant invention permits two-way communication between a plurality of traffic signal devices. Each traffic signal device locally controls the state of the traffic signals, while communication between the traffic signal devices is used to synchronize the internal timers or clocks of the plurality of traffic control devices.

Abstract: A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is describede. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (“tiles”) in the frames are designated to be in either an “active” state or an “inactive” state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the is predetermined criteria. Shape and motion of groups of active tiles (“quanta”) are analyzed with software and a neural network to detect and track vehicles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for acquiring image evidence of traffic violations. The system has a controller, an image acquisition system, and sensors. The controller acquires data from the sensors to determine the likelihood of a traffic violation. The controller determines a schedule for acquiring images associated with the violation. Multiple images may be acquired as evidence of the violation. The controller then directs the image acquisition to acquire images in compliance with the schedule. The controller may then package, encrypt, and authenticate data and images associated with the violation. The controller may then transfer the data to a remote location. The system may also determine a schedule to acquire images associated with multiple violations and/or traffic accidents.

Abstract: A Doppler radar transceiver in a traffic monitoring system includes a pyramidal horn antenna having a rectangular aperture and a dielectric lens mounted at the rectangular aperture. Preferably the pyramidal horn antenna is corrugated and the rectangular aperture has a breadth at least twice its width in order to provide a fan-shaped radar beam most effective for detecting moving vehicles in a stream of traffic. To reduce standing waves in the horn antenna that would otherwise cause nulls that would intermittently interfere with detection of a Doppler signal, the dielectric lens has impedance matching means for matching impedance of the dielectric lens to impedance of free space to reduce standing waves in said horn antenna. Suitable impedance matching means include a quarter-wave transformer or a tapered transformer structure at the interfaces between the dielectric body of the lens and the free-space region inside the horn and outside of the horn.

Abstract: A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is described. The disclosed system may be employed as a traffic light violation prediction system for a traffic signal, and as a collision avoidance system. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (“tiles”) in the frames are designated to be in either an “active” state or an “inactive” state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention includes a device for triggering a camera to photograph a vehicle within a traffic intersection, where the triggering of the camera is dependent on the speed of the vehicle before entering the intersection and may also be dependent on presence information. The device includes a sensor system (or “sensor array”) to transmit signals corresponding to a moving vehicle and a control system for processing the signals and triggering the camera. The signals preferably include “position signals” from which a transit time can be calculated, and “presence signals,” from which presence information can be obtained, particularly the location of the rear of the vehicle or the location of the rear wheels of the vehicle. A trigger time for taking a picture of the vehicle may be calculated from the transit time.

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention includes a device for triggering a camera to photograph a vehicle within a traffic intersection, where the triggering of the camera is dependent on the speed of the vehicle before entering the intersection and may also be dependent on presence information. The device includes a sensor system (or "sensor array") to transmit signals corresponding to a moving vehicle and a control system for processing the signals and triggering the camera. The signals preferably include "position signals" from which a transit time can be calculated, and "presence signals," from which presence information can be obtained, particularly the location of the rear of the vehicle or the location of the rear wheels of the vehicle. A trigger time for taking a picture of the vehicle may be calculated from the transit time.

Abstract: A traffic violation processing method is disclosed, which includes the steps of monitoring a vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is in violation of a traffic violation and recording the image of the vehicle on a camera when the vehicle is determined to have violated a traffic violation; providing a digital image of the vehicle; recording and storing deployment data corresponding to the violation, wherein the deployment data includes an identifier associated with the traffic violation; assigning the identifier to the digital traffic image; storing the digital image of the vehicle, together with the identifier, on a storage medium; matching the deployment data with the stored digital image by correlating or matching the identifier associated with the deployment data with the identifier associated with the stored digital image; and generating a traffic document that includes the stored digital image and the deployment data.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring system has a common housing for a Doppler radar transceiver, a video camera, and a digital computer for processing the Doppler signal. The system also includes a video cassette recorder, a high-speed photographic camera, and a laptop computer for downloading control settings and a program from a diskette or memory card to the digital computer. The digital computer performs an initial self-test by injecting a calibration signal in lieu of a Doppler signal into an electronic interface between the radar transceiver and the digital computer. The radar transceiver generates a Doppler signal having two channels, and the phase between the channels indicates whether a vehicle is approaching or receding from the radar transceiver. The two channels are recorded on the left and right audio channels of the video cassette.

Abstract: Frequency domain processing is used to determine rapidly whether false signals are present, and to improve the accuracy of speed measurements by rejecting speed measurements that could be inaccurate due to the presence of false signals. A Doppler signal responsive to speed of a moving vehicle is generated by a Doppler radar transceiver. A digital computer transforms the Doppler signal into a frequency domain signal such as an energy spectrum, and the speed of the moving vehicle is computed from the weighted arithmetic mean of the energy spectrum. The mean value, however, is rejected as an indication of speed if the variance of the energy spectrum from the mean exceeds a threshold, or if a differential of the spectrum with respect to frequency exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ferromagnetic materials in proximity to a sensing region, which is particularly applicable to traffic monitoring and controlling. A magnetic probe generates a signal in response to magnetic flux changes caused by a vehicle moving through a sensing area. A processor analyzes the signal to determine the duration of the signal and correlates that duration to a vehicle velocity. A checking system periodically sends a checking signal to the magnetic probe and monitors the return signal to verify that the probe is operative and also analyzes the return signal to determine whether a stationary vehicles is in the sensing area.

Abstract: A portable traffic control system for control of traffic at temporary locations includes a trailer having a base supported by an axle and wheels, two signal supports connected to the base and an actuating mechanism for selectively urging the signal supports from a transporting position to an operating position and back. A transverse arm connected to one signal support is extendable laterally and outwardly from the trailer. A signal head is attached to the transverse arm and a second signal head is attached to the upper end of the second signal support.

Abstract: Power consumption by traffic lights is reduced during the nighttime hours by allowing only part of each cycle of the alternating current to the lights to pass through. A photo conductive cell which is responsive to ambient light intensities controls a timing device which in turn controls the device for allowing current to flow to the lights. Detection devices monitor the proper operation of the devices which allow current to flow through the lights. In the event that an improper operation is detected, an override relay switches full power to the lights.