Patent · US Active

System for metering vehicular traffic at a toll plaza

US7956768B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 2009
Grant dateJun 7, 2011
Priority date—
Expiry dateDec 19, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07B15/06
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system and method is provided for metering vehicular traffic. Specifically, the system uses a computer to prevent delays as vehicles transition from a greater number of toll lanes to a lesser number of travel lanes. Toll collection devices are used to send a ready signal to a computer to indicate a vehicle is ready to leave a start point. The computer receives ready signals from the toll collection devices and uses a pre-programmed departure schedule to queue the vehicles. After the vehicles are queued, the computer uses time delay variables to ensure efficient traffic flow between the toll lanes of the plaza and the travel lanes of the bridge or tunnel. An indicator signal responsive to a departure signal sent by the computer is employed to direct vehicles from a start point towards a travel lane.

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