Patent · US Expired

Lane discriminating traffic counting device

US5239148A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
38References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 1991
Grant dateAug 24, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08G1/02
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A traffic counting cord has a plurality of sections designed to be identical in physical characteristics, set-up procedures, durability and performance as a road tube. Each section has a portion with conductive upper and lower members and a portion with non-conductive upper and lower members. The upper and lower members are separated by resilient, non-conductive material. Embedded within the members are a plurality of wires insulated with nylon or other material and at least one non-insulated wire which is in contact with the conductive member. A count occurs when traffic impacting the cord causes the upper and lower members of a section to make contact. Individual counts for each lane can be obtained by cross-wiring the sections, so that the uninsulated conductors of each section are routed to a counter through insulated conductors or wires of the other sections. Any even or odd number of lanes, typically four, six, or eight lanes can be accomodated, although there is no theoretical limit. An alternative embodiment replaces the wires with resilient conductive material channeled through the cord to improve reliability.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.