Patent · US Expired

Traffic light collision avoidance system

US6281808A · kind A · utility

83Cited by
43References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 22, 1999
Grant dateAug 28, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99948
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A collision avoidance system and method for a traffic intersection having a traffic light, which selectively extends the duration of a red light cycle to prevent traffic from entering the intersection during a red light violation. Output from one or more violation prediction image capturing devices is used to provide images showing one or more vehicles approaching the intersection. A violation prediction unit, which is also coupled to a signal reflecting a current light phase of the first traffic signal, receives and processes vehicle location information derived from the images to generate violation predictions for the vehicles approaching the intersection. The violation prediction indicates a likelihood that an associated vehicle will violate an upcoming red light phase of the traffic signal. In response to the violation prediction, a violation predicted signal is provided to a traffic signal controlling traffic intersecting with the predicted violator. That traffic signal then preempts a transition to a green light phase, thus extending a current red traffic light phase and thereby preventing traffic from entering the intersection during the predicted red light violation.

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