Traffic merging method and means

US3941201A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Walter Hermann · Neuenbürg, DE
• Peter Kraus · West Hollywood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 25, 1973
• Grant date: Mar 2, 1976
• Expiry date: Jul 25, 1993

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/075
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Two crowded single file traffic lanes of electronically speed-controlled vehicles are merged at a merge point by electronically establishing gaps sufficient to accept vehicles between the vehicles of each lane before they approach the merge point. The vehicles of one lane are then electronically guided into the gaps of the other as they pass the merge point. Lane-side transmitters and receivers along each lane cooperate with the vehicles to control the spacing between the vehicles in the approach toward the merge point. The gaps are established and the vehicles guided by signalling electronic images of each vehicle to the other lane and by guiding each vehicle as if the imaged vehicle were an actual vehicle in front of it.