Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
  • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
  • E01F9/658—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by means for fixing
  • E01F9/669—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by means for fixing for fastening to safety barriers or the like
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
  • E01F9/40—Arrangements responsive to adverse atmospheric conditions, e.g. to signal icy roads or to automatically illuminate in fog; Arrangements characterised by heating or drying means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Definitions

• the invention relates to a fog warning device for roads, in particular highways, with along the roadside arranged optical warning signalers.
• Fog warning devices have already been proposed in various forms. In principle, it should be distinguished between stationary devices, which are usually positioned at the roadside, and mobile devices, which are carried by the respective road users and are usually arranged in or on the vehicles.
• the so-called rear fog lights which must be switched on manually by drivers in poor visibility, are widespread in this context.
• mobile fog signaling devices have become known, which are activated automatically.
• a vehicle lamp has become known, which is automatically switched on when a predetermined darkness or due to mist reduced visibility.
• Such a detector has become known, for example, from EP 444 402 A2, wherein when a predetermined visibility falls below a warning signal is delivered to the driver.
• the measured data of such a visibility detector can also be used to automatically lower the driving speed by engaging in the engine control or the braking system accordingly.
• Stationary fog warning devices have become known, for example, from AT 317730, in which case optical warning signal transmitters are arranged along the roadside and in each case a plurality of warning signalers can be activated by means of a central control device when fog occurs.
• the optical warning signal are in the along arranged on the roadside Leitpflöcken arranged. This naturally leads to an increased effort for the installation of such a fog warning system, since each warning signal generator must be set separately in the corresponding Leitpflock and beyond must be wired accordingly with adjacent Leitplöcken.
• the present invention aims to provide a fog warning device which can be easily mounted and routed along existing roads, with integration into existing structures being desirable.
• the fog warning device should be able to be combined in a simple manner with other warning systems, such as, for example, accident warning systems or ghost driver warning systems.
• the fog warning device should naturally be placed at a location which ensures a more effective warning of the driver than is the case with the devices of the prior art.
• the invention essentially consists in the fact that the optical warning signal generator are fixed in or on a road section continuously delimiting structural device, in particular guide rail and are connected to at least one fog detector via control lines or wireless.
• the optical warning signal transmitters are fixed in or on a structural element, in particular guide rail, which delineates the road section in question, an effective fog warning system is provided which can be easily converted into the existing road boundaries, such as guide rails, without costly conversion work , integrate.
• the optical warning signal generator can be arranged within the profile of the guide rail, so that a correct functioning is ensured regardless of the prevailing external environmental influences.
• the arrangement is thus not in separately arranged facilities such as Leitpfählen but in a continuous structural device such as For example, a guide rail, whereby the installation of such a fog warning device is much easier.
• a continuous structural device such as a guide rail
• the individual warning signal generator electrically connecting cable can also be protected within the profile of a guide rail and thus extensive burial work can be avoided.
• the optical warning signal transmitter is preferably arranged at a distance of less than 120 cm, preferably less than 80 cm from the road surface, a significantly improved signal effect is provided, whereby the signals can not be overlooked, even in dense fog.
• fog usually does not reach very close to the road surface, but in most cases a range of about 120 cm in height, measured from the road surface, remains substantially free of fog, so that in this area a less strong Visual restriction is observed.
• This results in a particularly effective fog warning device whereby the fact that the optical warning signalers are connected to at least one fog detector via control line or wireless, an automatic activation takes place as soon as the fog detector the presence of fog and therefore a strong conveyeinsehränkung is detected.
• the control takes place in such a way that a large number of the optical warning signal transmitters arranged along the roadside are switched on, which are located in a region in front of the respective fog detector, which permits a timely reduction in the driving speed, taking into account the required reaction time and the required braking distance.
• the activation of those warning signal generator is required, which are located at least 1 km from the respective fog front.
• the activation can take place here in an area of several kilometers in length, since consideration should also be given to a corresponding backwater as a result of the mist.
• the fog warning device according to the invention if any, provides a significantly improved signal effect, since the signals represent an eye-catcher due to their unusual placement and are certainly located in the field of vision of the driver.
• the invention is preferably designed such that a plurality of optical warning signal transmitters is arranged in a transparent tube attached to the guide rail or a flexible hose.
• a transparent tube or flexible tubes can be attached to the guide rails in a simple manner, whereby care has to be taken only for the corresponding connection with the fog detector.
• the transparent tube equipped with the warning signalers can also be suspended from the guide rail so that an even deeper arrangement takes place.
• the warning signal can be arranged without difficulty on other, the road delimiting structural facilities, such as concrete walls, concrete elements or tunnel walls.
• the usually on the street boundaries such as guardrails, attached reflectors (cat's eyes) can also be arranged in the tube between the warning signalers, so that the original function of the road boundary is guaranteed. For example, each could be followed by a reflector 3 warning buzzer.
• the arrangement of the fog detectors must be such that the longest possible road section can be covered with the smallest possible number of detectors.
• the fog detectors For this purpose, they can only be positioned in the most vulnerable places, but greater safety is ensured if the fog detectors are arranged at regular intervals over the entire course of the road.
• the device is further developed such that a plurality of fog detectors are provided, wherein a fog detector activates at least the warning signal transmitter arranged between the fog detector and a fog detector adjacent to the direction of travel when fog is detected.
• the optical warning signal transmitters are arranged along both road edges. This results in a warning not only from the right side of the road, to which traffic signs, signs or warning signals are usually attached, but also from the left edge of the road, where it was often impossible due to the limited Plazttechnik set up the proposed in the prior art warning devices. In particular, vehicles on the left lane continue to move at high or excessive speed and it is therefore particularly important that these drivers are warned by unmistakable signals accordingly in order to reduce their speed in time.
• the inventive arrangement of the warning signal generator not only an effective warning the driver is achieved but at the same time an identification of the road, so that the safety of motorists can be further increased.
• the road boundary or the roadside is not easy to see because the mounted on the rails reflectors often can not fully take effect.
• the invention is preferably further developed such that the optical warning signal transmitter shines in a first color, preferably blue or red, on the right-hand side of the road seen in the direction of travel and in a second color, preferably white or blue, in the direction of travel left roadside are arranged.
• the warning signal are designed as flashing lights or periodically flashing flash lamps, the flashlights or flashlights should be designed with a sufficient light intensity, so that the signal even in daylight or unfavorable lighting conditions, such as in backlight, is directly recognizable.
• a good recognizability of the warning signals is already given in the warning system according to the invention in that a large number of signal generators over the length of the road is arranged without great structural complexity.
• a plurality of warning signal transmitters over a length of at least 500 m, preferably at least 1 km, distributed in the prescribed direction before the fog detector on the roadside be arranged.
• the distance between adjacent warning signal transmitters should, according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, be less than 50 m, preferably less than 10 m. In any case, the warning signal transmitters should be placed so close together that they exert an effect on the driver which is perceived as a threat. If necessary, distances of ⁇ 1 m may be necessary.
• the formation of the fog detector is not limited and a number of known detectors can be used. Such detectors have become known, for example, from EP 441613 A1, FR.2584497 A1 or DE 3841892 C1. In these known fog detectors, the presence of fog is concluded either by means of measured values for the relative humidity or by means of reflection measurements.
• the fog detector and the warning signal generator is connected to a solar power supply system, so that the operation is ensured independently of an external power supply. It can be found with a solar power supply system with relatively low power Aus Siemens, because can be achieved with the proposed warning signalers a large signal effect with relatively low energy consumption.
• the connection of the fog detector with According to the invention, the optical warning signal transmitters can take place via control lines or wirelessly.
• a further advantage of the inventive fog warning device relates to the fact that a combination with other warning systems succeeds in a simple manner.
• only one additional detector has to be connected to the warning signal transmitters, such as, for example, a travel direction detector for detecting ghost drivers or a traffic jam detector for measuring the traffic density or driving speed.
• One-way streets may usually be driven only in the prescribed direction, with vehicles that travel the one-way street contrary to the prescribed direction, represent a particular danger.
• Such drivers are generally referred to as "ghost drivers”.
• warning device usually consist of a direction of travel detector, which detects the opposite of the prescribed direction driving vehicle automatically, and an audible or visual signal generator, which warns the irregular driving handlebars and the oncoming vehicles accordingly.
• the embodiment is preferably developed in such a way that the optical warning signal transmitters are additionally connected to a direction-of-turn detector and upon detection a vehicle moving counter to the prescribed direction of travel is activated, the activation preferably taking place in a different color from the fog warning signal.
• the warning signalers assigned to the ghost driver warning device can be arranged between the warning signals assigned to the fog warning device, with the signal colors of the signal transmitters assigned to the different warning devices being able to have different colors from one another for differentiating the warning signals.
• the same warning signal generator can also be assigned to both warning devices at the same time, in which case signal transmitters which can light up by different control in different colors are preferably used.
• FIG. 1 shows a roadway section with the warning device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a guide rail
• FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment in which the warning signal transmitters are arranged in a transparent tube
• FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a warning signal generator with a floor plan and two side tears.
• Fig. 1 a portion of a highway with separate directional lanes 1 and 2 is shown.
• a vehicle 3 On the two-lane directional lane 1, a vehicle 3 is on the way.
• guide rails 4 and 5 At the mounted on both roads edges guide rails 4 and 5 are optical Warning signal generator 6 mounted in the rail profile, which are triggered by the fog detector 7.
• the warning signal transmitters 6 are installed directly in the guide rail 5 and adapted to their profile shape.
• the warning signal generator 6 can also be arranged in a transparent tube 8, as shown in Figures 3a to 3c. In the sectional view it can be seen here that the tube or tube 8 can be optimally fitted in the profile of the guide rail 5, so that a protected arrangement of the signal generator is achieved.
• the warning signal generator 6 is shown in different views, wherein it becomes clear that two luminous signals emitting in the opposite direction result, which is advantageous in the optional use of the luminous signals for a ghost driver warning device.
• the corresponding differently colored cover glasses are designated 9 and 10.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
• Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=32046322

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

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Family Cites Families (4)

• 2003
  • 2003-09-25 ES ES03798819T patent/ES2277648T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-09-25 AU AU2003265710A patent/AU2003265710A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-09-25 WO PCT/AT2003/000285 patent/WO2004031487A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2003-09-25 DE DE50305868T patent/DE50305868D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-09-25 EP EP03798819A patent/EP1546464B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-09-25 AT AT03798819T patent/ATE346984T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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