TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to traffic management systems and more particularly, to an automated road traffic management system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rapid industrial and technological development in last few decades has increased population in urban areas. Number of vehicles on roads has been increased in great amount as a result of increased population. However, development of road transport capacity in comparison with the number of vehicles on road is not satisfactory. Today, road traffic is one of the major problems faced by citizens as well as municipal authorities of urban areas. Vehicles emit harmful gases into atmosphere that raises pollution level of such areas that may cause health problems to the citizens.

In current state of art, road traffic is managed by traffic signals and other electronic systems. In case of failure of such systems human interference is necessary in order to control and manage the road traffic. Such human interference disturbs synchronisation of the road traffic that results into traffic jams in city areas. Further, due to lane discipline and predefined arrangement of one way / two way traffic crossing, it takes longer time to cover smaller distances. Accordingly, there is a need of the automated system that manages the road traffic without human interference or changing existing road structure.

STIMMARV OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a road traffic management system. The system includes a plurality of traffic signals, a plurality of airlift dividers positioned on a plurality of predefined locations on roads working in coordination with the traffic signals and a controller unit for controlling operation of the airlift dividers. The airlift dividers are opened and closed for predetermined time slots and in a predefined sequence thereby allowing movement of vehicles in predefined directions. The controller unit actuate opening and closing of the airlift dividers by electronic, electro-mechanical or pneumatic mechanism though a programmed circuit. The airlift dividers are lifted or moved in horizontal or vertical direction. BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C show a movement of traffic in accordance with the first embodiment of a system of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D show a movement of traffic in accordance with the second embodiment of the system of the present invention; FIGS. 3A-3C show a movement of traffic in accordance with the third embodiment of the system of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A-4B show a movement of traffic in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5B show a movement of traffic in accordance with the fiftth embodiment of the system of the present invention using flyovers and subways.

PET ATT, EP DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

References in the specification to“one embodiment” or“an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase“in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. In general aspect, the present invention relates to a road traffic management system and a method thereof. The system includes a plurality of airlift dividers positioned at predefined locations on the roads. The airlift dividers are operated (open/ close) using automated timers for a predetermined time thereby allowing vehicles to move in a predefined direction. The present invention provides the method for controlling the road traffic by using the airlift dividers, overhead timers and directing the road traffic accordingly.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers in brackets indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a road traffic management system in accordance with first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, traffic management is facilitated by using a plurality of airlift dividers. The airlift dividers are positioned on the predefined locations on the roads which can be lift by using a suitable mechanism. The airlift dividers are moved in horizontal and vertical direction. In this one embodiment, a plurality of airlift dividers (Ll, L2, Rl, R2, Dl, D2, Ul and U2) is positioned on the roads. The airlift dividers (Ll, L2, Rl, R2, Dl, D2, Ul and U2) are opened and closed for predefined time slots and the road traffic is directed in a plurality of predefined directions as shown in Table 1.

In the context of this embodiment, determination of time slots and direction of movement of vehicles according to lifting of airlift dividers is controlled by a controller unit. In accordance with the present invention, the controller unit includes a pre-programmed electro-mechanical system. However, it is understood here that the control unit may include electronic, electromechanical, electro- pneumatic and the like mechanism for actuation of the system. The system sets time slots and sequence of operation of dividers and existing traffic signals in coordination with each other in order to manage vehicle traffic and pedestrian movements for particular area. It is understood here that a plurality of control rooms may coordinate with one another regarding management of traffic for whole city or a single control room controls the traffic.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the airlift dividers are moved by using programmed circuit working in coordination with mechanical or electro-mechanical mechanism. Electro-mechanical or mechanical mechanisms include telescopic arms connected to the airlift divider at bottom surface thereof such that the arms extend in horizontal direction thereby allowing the airlift divider moved and positioned in at a predefined distance and retract the arms for bringing the airlift divider at default position. It is understood here that the arms are located in slots configured in road surface such that extended arm would not cause disturbance or interruption for movement of vehicles.

In accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, the airlift dividers are moved by using pneumatic control system. In this one embodiment, the airlift dividers are moved in horizontal and vertical direction upto predefined distance using pneumatic controls.

In accordance with the present invention, the movement of dividers is controlled by mechanical or pneumatic mechanisms actuated by predefined programmed circuit. The time slots for opening and closing of dividers is coordinated with timings of existing or new traffic signals for traffic control. It is to be noted here that the system of the present invention may be implement for left hand side and right hand side drive system.

In this one embodiment, the airlift dividers are elongated bars hinged at one end portion thereof and lifted by a suitable mechanism as described above. In alternative embodiments the elongated bars are slid in forward or backward direction to allow vehicles to pass through the free space. It is understood here that shape and configuration of airlift dividers may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG.1B and Table 1, the airlift dividers L2 and R2 are kept open for 25 seconds, the traffic of these lanes is directed in directions Al and A2. Similarly, other airlift dividers (Ll, Rl, Dl, D2, Ul and U2) are opened and traffic is diverted in the direction shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C for predefined time slots as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Referring to FIGS. 1C and Table 1A of a road traffic management system in accordance with first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, a plurality of airlift dividers (Ll,L2 , Rl, R2,Dl,D2,Ul and U2 ) are positioned on the roads. The airlift dividers (Ll,L2 ,Rl,R2 Dl,D2, Ul and U2) are opened and closed for predefined time slots and the road traffic is directed in a predefined directions as shown in Table 1A. For example; referring to FIG. 1C and Table 1A, the airlift dividers Ll and L2 and Ul are kept open for 30 seconds, the traffic of these lanes is directed in directions Al and A2. Similarly, other airlift dividers (Rl,R2, Dl,D2, and U2) are opened and traffic is diverted in the direction shown in FIGS. 1C (in 3 steps of Fig.lC) for predefined time slots as shown in Table 1A. In this one embodiment, signals are operated in anti clockwise direction instead of clock-wise direction in order to utilised maximum space of road for crossing a square. U turns are allowed for other lanes at the time of operating signal for one lane.

Table 1A

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, a road traffic management system in accordance with Second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, a plurality of airlift dividers (Ll, L2, L3, Rl, R2, R3, Dl, D2, D3, Ul, U2 and U3) is positioned on the roads. The airlift dividers (Ll, L2, L3, Rl, R2, R3, Dl, D2,

D3, Ul, U2 and U3) are opened and closed for predefined time slots and the road traffic is directed in a predefined directions as shown in Table 2A. For example; referring to FIGS. 2A-2D and Table 2 A, the airlift dividers L2 and R2 are kept open for 45 seconds, the traffic of this lanes is directed in directions Al and A2 respectively. At the same time, the airlift dividers Dl and D3 are kept open for 45 seconds, the traffic of these lanes is directed in directions A3 and Bl respectively and the airlift dividers U 1 and U3 are kept open for 45 seconds, the traffic of these lanes is directed in directions B2 and B3 respectively. Similarly other airlift dividers (Ll, Rl, R2, R3, L3, D2, Ul and U2) are opened and traffic is diverted in the direction shown in FIGS. 2 A to 2D for predefined time slots as shown in

Table 2 A and 2B.

Table 2A

Table 2B

In accordance with this one embodiment, the airlift dividers for U turns are long enough to accommodate parking of vehicles so that the square/central road should not be disturbed. Similarly markings are made on the roads for movement of vehicles whenever required. Where ever the time slots are longer for example of about 60 seconds or more there two lanes may be reserved for the same after crossing of square and two or more air lift dividers may be installed. However, considering distance from square & travelling time required by a first vehicle of stopped signal is less than that of the last vehicle of running signal to reach at square the starting time of stooped signal such that the signal may be started at same time.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C and Table 3, a traffic arrangement in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, a plurality of lanes are made just before the signals turn green and thereafter the arrangement continues in two lanes only as in case of flyovers. At the start of signal all the dividers are closed except L2, R2, U2 and D2 as these gates are only for incoming of traffic. Airlift dividers number 1 and 2 are for vehicles moving in straight direction, while airlift dividers no. 3 are for the vehicles moving in right hand side direction. In accordance with this one embodiment, two additional airlift dividers are positioned at least 300 feet before in the (Ll, L2, Rl, R2, Ul, U2, Dl, D2) First and second lanes of all sides for vehicles who want to go right side. So, separating right side movers to additional third lane of all sides to their right side well before to enable movement of two side of traffic at a time. Left straight and right side movement of opposite sides may be coordinated accordingly. The total Distance between them is approximately 700 feet. These additional airlift dividers are open just for first 15-20 seconds to allow vehicles moving in right side. In this one embodiment, the length is at least 150 feet in order to allow maximum vehicles in 15 seconds. The target distance for crossing is maximum 50 feet. The road traffic expected to reach at this point of crossing is more than 15 seconds as the traffic is stopped at the distance of at least 700 feet. However, it is understood here that this distance may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Vehicles moving in right side from lane 3 pass the road in approximately 30-35 seconds. Similarly, the right side dividers of other side road get open after a predefined interval. In accordance with this one embodiment of the present invention, movement of the road traffic as shown by arrows as indicated in FIGS. 3A-3C are airlifting dividers. The third lanes L3, R3, U3 and D3 eliminate the need of flyover thereby avoiding disturbance for the traffic passing below flyover. The signal is turned off for one time only for 40 seconds. The timing is reduced to 40 seconds as very less vehicles may stop and so may be passed in 40 Seconds.

However, left side movement of road vehicles is allowed in case of roads having enough width or otherwise only at the time of roads turn. Accordingly, movement of vehicles in straight and left directions may be allowed at the same time only when straight lane is open. Similarly, the width of lane number 3 is designed considering the overall width and traffic on roads.

Table 3

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B and Tables 4A to 4C, a road traffic management system in accordance with fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, initially, at the start of signal all airlift dividers are closed. The airlift dividers are set at a predefined distance from a square or circle.

The vehicles moving on left side of the road are separated from the signal. Movement of the road traffic is allowed in anti clock wise direction so the right movers travel to right sides thereof without stopping other vehicles. In this one embodiment of the present invention, there is no divider fixed on the square, the airlift dividers are positioned near the signal and starting points. The central divider can be moved vertically or horizontally to allow movement of vehicles in North-South or East-West directions. The road traffic gets maximum space as shown in FIGS 4A-4B and good pick up speed due to airlift dividers and no parking zones. The over head timers are set as per requirements considering average speed of 35-40 Km/Hr. Referring to Table 4A, 3A and 3B airlift dividers are show in close mode and 4A and 4B are shown in open mode. The average speed of vehicle is not more than 25 KM/Hr of 20 seconds. In this condition, approximately double vehicles can cross the signal as compared to the present system because of maximum space and no blockage of road due to right side movers. Left side movers can be stopped at the time of signal if required.

In accordance with this one embodiment, the over head timers are used to make the traffic to act as a bunch of vehicles and thereby treating the bunch like trains. The first row vehicles are treated as engine. The follower vehicles join the vehicles moving ahead though started late. The fast moving vehicles normally have to wait at other signals.

In accordance with this one embodiment, an example of working of the system is shown. Table 4A shows a timetable for movement of vehicles for 20 seconds, Table 4B shows time table for movement of vehicles for 30 seconds and Table 4C shows timetable for vehicle movement for 15 seconds. Considering the distance between two signals this system can be set between the two signals which will increase the overall speed. The whole road may be used as one way road thereby keeping roads like service roads for left hand side movement and smaller signals in between never disturb the traffic because they get sufficient time for crossings. There is no need of widening of existing roads and flyovers.

In accordance with the present invention, the peak hours and non peak hours can be suitably utilized to reduce the traffic also. For Example if left hand side movers are more then the road traffic may be kept moving with all the airlift dividers open as required and vehicles moving on right hand side are kept waiting or may be kept moving simultaneously. The full space is kept available including movement of vehicle on left hand side at signal also. This System can be implemented on circles & below existing flyovers also. However, it is understood here that the systems facilitating full U turns or half U turns and combination thereof having different timing charts may be implemented as per the requirements. In accordance with this one embodiment, the system may be used between three signals treating central signal as a square and setting time according to distance between other two signals.

In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, Table 4A shows direction of movement of vehicles when the airlift divider 3A and 3 B are in closed mode and 4A and 4B are in open mode for 20 seconds

Table 4A

In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, Table 4B shows direction of movement of vehicles when the airlift divider 3A and 3 B are in closed mode and 4 A and 4B are in open mode for 30 seconds.

Table 4B

In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, Table 4C shows direction of movement of vehicles when the airlift divider 3A and 3 B are in closed mode and 4A and 4B are in open mode for 15 seconds

Table 4C

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, a road traffic management system in accordance with fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, road traffic is managed by constructing flyovers as shown in Fig 5A or 5B. Referring to FIG. 5A, the slopes of flyover are kept different while going upward and going downwards and space is created to allow the traffic to pass to right side. In this one embodiment the slop is higher for the flyover design for vehicles moving in downward direction than that of the flyovers for vehicles moving in upward direction. The right side movers of traffic can take to their right from the space created below the flyover as shown in FIG. 5 A. The system includes a plurality of flyovers and a plurality of subways for management of traffic such that one way movement is facilitated by the flyover and other way movement is facilitated by the subway wherein the flyover or subway constructed for vehicles moving in their respective predefined direction without disturbing traffic below flyover and over subway.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the width of flyover is kept to half as one way movement of traffic is allowed from flyover and other way from subway. The right side slope is also extended to allow the traffic to pass to its right side from upward direction only. Similarly, for opposite side movement the subway with right side extension is given adjacent to flyover. The slap on ground floor of road is also shown to avoid congestion below flyover. The traffic on square is reduced as the straight and right side movement is allowed from flyover and subway of two sides. Only two side movement is balance on the square. The signals below the flyovers can be by-passed by use of flyovers.

The system of the present invention eliminates the need of widening the roads or flyovers. The system may be implemented on the existing roads. The system of facilitates user to cross the distance in shorter time that otherwise would involve long turns because of lane discipline and one way arrangements. The system of the present invention facilitates the combination of different embodiments as presented in the description.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.