Marking device, marking system, and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a marking device, a system, and a control method. The marking device includes: a plurality of light sources for pedestrians, which are respectively arranged on a lane and emit light toward at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane; a plurality of light sources for vehicles, which are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light toward at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extension direction of the lane; and a control unit that separately controls the plurality of light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of light sources for vehicles. The control unit marks a first crosswalk visually recognizable by a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane by lighting the plurality of light sources for pedestrians, and marks a second crosswalk visually recognizable by a driver of a vehicle on the lane by lighting the plurality of light sources for vehicles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a marking device, a system, and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique for enabling a pedestrian or a driver or the like to recognize a crosswalk on a road on which a vehicle such as an automobile travels. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-096201, there is disclosed a self-luminous road stud device that lights or blinks a plurality of self-luminous road studs arranged side by side along a crosswalk when a pedestrian is detected to enter the crosswalk. Summary of the Invention

[0003] There is room for improvement in the technique for enabling a person to recognize a crosswalk on a road.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure completed in view of the above reasons is to improve the technique for enabling a person to recognize a crosswalk on a road.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a marking device including:

[0006] a plurality of light sources for pedestrians, respectively provided in a lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane;

[0007] a plurality of light sources for vehicles, provided in the lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extending direction of the lane; and a control unit that separately controls the plurality of light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of light sources for vehicles,

[0008] the control unit marks a first crosswalk visually recognizable by a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane by lighting the plurality of light sources for pedestrians,

[0009] the control unit marks a second crosswalk visually recognizable by a driver of a vehicle on the lane by lighting the plurality of light sources for vehicles.

[0010] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system including a marking device and a control device, the marking device having: a plurality of light sources for pedestrians, respectively provided in a lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane; and a plurality of light sources for vehicles, provided in the lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extending direction of the lane, the control device separately controls the plurality of light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of light sources for vehicles by communicating with the marking device, wherein,

[0011] The control device marks a first crosswalk visible to pedestrians who want to cross the lane by lighting the plurality of pedestrian light sources.

[0012] The control device marks a second crosswalk visible to the drivers of vehicles on the lane by lighting the plurality of vehicle light sources.

[0013] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a control method for a marking device, the marking device including: a plurality of pedestrian light sources respectively disposed on a lane, emitting light toward at least one of a first orientation and a second orientation along the width direction of the lane; a plurality of vehicle light sources disposed on the lane, emitting light toward at least one of a third orientation and a fourth orientation along the extension direction of the lane; and a control unit separately controlling the plurality of pedestrian light sources and the plurality of vehicle light sources, wherein,

[0014] The control method includes:

[0015] The control unit marks a first crosswalk visible to pedestrians who want to cross the lane by lighting the plurality of pedestrian light sources; and

[0016] The control unit marks a second crosswalk visible to the drivers of vehicles on the lane by lighting the plurality of vehicle light sources.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for enabling people to recognize crosswalks on roads is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, where:

[0019] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a marking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a view showing an example of looking down on a lane and a sidewalk from above.

[0021] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the marking device.

[0022] Figure 4 is a view showing an example of a second crosswalk marked on a lane.

[0023] Figure 5 is a view showing an example of a first crosswalk marked on a lane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0025] (Summary of the Embodiment)

[0026] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , and the outline of the marking device 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Briefly, the marking device 10 is a device that marks a crosswalk on a lane where a vehicle such as an automobile travels. Figure 1 The marking device 10 shown includes a plurality of pedestrian light sources 11, a plurality of vehicle light sources 12, a first detection unit 13, a second detection unit 14, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17.

[0027] Each of the pedestrian light source 11 and the vehicle light source 12 includes one or more light-emitting elements. The light-emitting element is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser diode, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0028] The plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 are respectively arranged on the lane so as to emit light toward at least one of a first orientation and a second orientation along the width direction of the lane. For example, the pedestrian light source 11 may also include a cover that blocks light in orientations other than the at least one orientation. Alternatively, the light of the pedestrian light source 11 may have directivity in the at least one orientation.

[0029] On the other hand, the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 are respectively arranged on the lane so as to emit light toward at least one of a third orientation and a fourth orientation along the extending direction of the lane. In addition, the "extending direction" is the direction in which the lane extends, and is, for example, substantially orthogonal to the width direction of the lane. For example, the vehicle light source 12 may also include a cover that blocks light in orientations other than the at least one orientation. Alternatively, the light of the vehicle light source 12 may have directivity in the at least one orientation.

[0030] In the present embodiment, for example, as Figure 2 shown, the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of first regions 21 on the lane. On the other hand, the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of second regions 22 on the lane. The plurality of first regions 21 and the plurality of second regions 22 are alternately arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the lane. Each light source of the pedestrian light source 11 and the vehicle light source 12 may, for example, be buried in the lane. Each light source of the pedestrian light source 11 and the vehicle light source 12 may be provided protruding from the road surface of the lane, may be provided recessed from the road surface, or may be provided flat with respect to the road surface.

[0031] The light of the pedestrian light source 11 is emitted in the direction of at least one of the first direction and the second direction along the width direction of the lane as described above. The light of the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 dispersedly arranged in the plurality of first regions 21 is, for example, relatively easily visually recognized by pedestrians on the sidewalks on both sides of the lane, but relatively difficult to be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle 30 present on the lane. Therefore, when the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 are lit, the plurality of first regions 21 function as the first crosswalk for visually recognizing pedestrians who want to cross the lane. In addition, in the present embodiment, "lighting" is not limited to continuously lighting, and may also include flashing according to a predetermined cycle or pattern, for example.

[0032] On the other hand, the light of the vehicle light source 12 is emitted in the direction of at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction along the extending direction of the lane as described above. The light of the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 dispersedly arranged in the plurality of second regions 22 is, for example, relatively easily visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle 30 present on the lane, but relatively difficult to be visually recognized by pedestrians on the sidewalks on both sides of the lane. Therefore, when the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 are lit, the plurality of second regions 22 function as the second crosswalk for visually recognizing the driver of the vehicle 30 on the lane.

[0033] The first detection unit 13 includes one or more sensors for detecting pedestrians who want to cross the lane. In the present embodiment, the first detection unit 13 includes a plurality of load sensors provided in the third region 23 on the sidewalk. The third region 23 may be provided, for example, near the end in the width direction of the lane. When a pedestrian stops in the third region 23, the pedestrian can be detected as a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane. However, the sensors included in the first detection unit 13 and the configuration of the sensors are not limited to this example, and can be arbitrarily determined. For example, a surveillance camera provided on the sidewalk can also be used as the sensor. In this case, any image recognition process can be used to detect pedestrians who want to cross the lane from the image of the surveillance camera.

[0034] The second detection unit 14 includes one or more sensors that detect the vehicle 30 on the lane. In the present embodiment, the second detection unit 14 is provided in the fourth area 24 on the lane and includes a plurality of wireless communication interfaces that communicate with the vehicle 30 on the lane respectively. The fourth area 24 may also include, for example, an area corresponding to the lane line of the lane. When the vehicle 30 travels in the fourth area 24, the vehicle 30 can be determined to be located on the lane. However, the sensors included in the second detection unit 14 and the configuration of the sensors are not limited to this example and can be arbitrarily determined. For example, the above-mentioned plurality of wireless communication interfaces may be provided on the sidewalk along the lane, or may be provided on a columnar or arch-shaped structure provided along the lane. Additionally, for example, the second detection unit 14 may also include a plurality of load sensors provided in the fourth area 24 on the lane. Furthermore, the lengths of the first area 21, the second area 22, the third area 23, and the fourth area 24 in the extending direction along the lane are not limited to Figure 2 the example shown. For example, the first area 21, the second area 22, the third area 23, and the fourth area 24 may each be provided to extend along the lane.

[0035] The communication unit 15 includes one or more communication interfaces that communicate with the pedestrian light source 11, the vehicle light source 12, the first detection unit 13, and the second detection unit 14 via wire or wirelessly. This communication interface corresponds to, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), or short-range wireless communication standards such as Wifi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), etc., but is not limited to these and can also correspond to any communication standard. The communication unit 15 may also communicate with the pedestrian light source 11, the vehicle light source 12, the first detection unit 13, and the second detection unit 14 via the Internet or an inter-terminal communication network, for example.

[0036] The storage unit 16 includes one or more memories. The memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, etc., but is not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 16 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory, for example. The storage unit 16 stores any information for indicating the operation of the device 10. For example, the storage unit 16 may also store a system program, an application program, and embedded software, etc.

[0037] The control unit 17 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor that specifically performs specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 17 can communicate with the pedestrian light source 11, the vehicle light source 12, the first detection unit 13, and the second detection unit 14 via the communication unit 15, respectively. In addition, the communication unit 15, the storage unit 16, and the control unit 17 may be provided, for example, in one or more edge computers arranged along the lane.

[0038] The control unit 17 controls the overall operation of the marking device 10. In the present embodiment, the control unit 17 can separately control the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 and the plurality of vehicle light sources 12.

[0039] (Operation process of the marking device)

[0040] Refer to Figure 3 , and specifically describe the operation of the marking device 10 of the present embodiment. This operation can be repeatedly executed periodically, for example.

[0041] Step S100: The control unit 17 of the marking device 10 determines whether a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected based on the information obtained from the first detection unit 13 via the communication unit 15. If it is determined that a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected (step S100 - Yes), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that no pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected (step S100 - No), the process ends.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 17 obtains the output signal of the sensor from the first detection unit 13 via the communication unit 15. When, based on the output signal, for example, a weight equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is detected at substantially the same position within the third region 23 for a predetermined time, the control unit 17 may determine that a pedestrian attempting to cross the lane has been detected. However, when detecting a pedestrian attempting to cross the lane, any method can be adopted, not limited to this example. For example, as described above, when the first detection unit 13 includes a surveillance camera as the sensor, the control unit 17 obtains the image acquired from the first detection unit 13 as the output signal. The control unit 17 may also perform any image recognition process using this image, and when a pedestrian remains in a state facing the lane without moving for a predetermined time, determine that a pedestrian attempting to cross the lane has been detected.

[0043] Step S101: When it is determined in step S100 that a pedestrian attempting to cross the lane has been detected (step S100 - Yes), the control unit 17 determines whether a vehicle 30 has been detected on the lane based on the information obtained from the second detection unit 14 via the communication unit 15. When it is determined that a vehicle 30 has been detected on the lane (step S101 - Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when it is determined that a vehicle 30 has not been detected on the lane (step S101 - No), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 17 obtains the output signal of the sensor from the second detection unit 14 via the communication unit 15. When, based on the output signal, for example, a vehicle 30 is detected within a predetermined distance range from the pedestrian detected in step S100, the control unit 17 may determine that a vehicle 30 has been detected on the lane. However, when detecting a vehicle 30 on the lane, any method can be adopted, not limited to this example.

[0045] Step S102: When it is determined in step S101 that a vehicle 30 has been detected on the lane (step S101 - Yes), the control unit 17 indicates a second crosswalk that is visually recognizable to the vehicle 30 on the lane by lighting a plurality of vehicle light sources 12.

[0046] Specifically, the control unit 17 sends a predetermined control signal to the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 via the communication unit 15. The plurality of vehicle light sources 12 emit light in response to receiving this control signal. As described above, the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of second regions 22 on the lane. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle 30 can, for example, Figure 4Visually recognize the second crosswalk marked by a plurality of second regions 22 that emit light. The driver of the vehicle 30 can prompt a pedestrian to cross by temporarily stopping in front of the visually recognized second crosswalk. In addition, as described above, the second crosswalk marked by the plurality of second regions 22 is relatively difficult for pedestrians on the sidewalk to visually recognize.

[0047] Step S103: When it is determined in step S102 or in step S101 that no vehicle 30 is detected on the lane (step S101 - No), the control unit 17 marks the first crosswalk that enables a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane to visually recognize by lighting a plurality of pedestrian light sources 11. After that, the process ends.

[0048] Specifically, the control unit 17 sends a predetermined control signal to the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 via the communication unit 15. The plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 emit light in response to receiving this control signal. As described above, the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of first regions 21 on the lane. Therefore, pedestrians on the sidewalk can, for example, Figure 5 visually recognize the first crosswalk marked by the plurality of first regions 21 that emit light as shown. A pedestrian who wants to cross the lane can cross the lane through the first crosswalk by confirming that there is no vehicle 30 on the lane or that the vehicle 30 temporarily stops in front of the first crosswalk. In addition, as described above, the first crosswalk marked by the plurality of first regions 21 is relatively difficult for the driver of the vehicle 30 on the lane to visually recognize.

[0049] As described above, the marking device 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of pedestrian light sources 11, a plurality of vehicle light sources 12, and a control unit 17 that separately controls the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 and the plurality of vehicle light sources 12. The plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of the first direction and the second direction along the width direction of the lane. The plurality of vehicle light sources 12 are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction along the extension direction of the lane. The control unit 17 marks the first crosswalk that enables a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane to visually recognize (for example, corresponding to Figure 5 a plurality of first regions 21). Then, the control unit 17 marks the second crosswalk that enables the driver of the vehicle 30 on the lane to visually recognize (for example, corresponding to Figure 4 a plurality of second regions 22) by lighting the plurality of vehicle light sources 12.

[0050] According to this structure, it is possible to separately and dynamically control the indication of the first crosswalk visually recognizable by pedestrians and the indication of the second crosswalk visually recognizable by the driver of the vehicle 30. Thus, for example, in terms of being able to perform highly flexible crosswalk indication according to the lane and sidewalk conditions, such as indicating only one of the first crosswalk and the second crosswalk or indicating both, the technology for enabling people to recognize the crosswalk on the road is improved.

[0051] The present disclosure has been described based on the respective drawings and embodiments. However, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each structural part or each step, etc. can be reconfigured in a logically non - contradictory manner, multiple structural parts or steps, etc. can be combined into one, or can be divided.

[0052] For example, a part of the structure of the indication device 10 in the above - described embodiment may be provided in a control device capable of communicating with the indication device 10. For example, the communication unit 15, the storage unit 16, and the control unit 17 may be provided in the control device. In this way, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a system including the indication device 10 and the control device.

[0053] In addition, for example, in the above - described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 each emit light in at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane has been described. Also, an example in which a plurality of vehicle light sources 12 each emit light in at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extension direction of the lane has been described. However, the plurality of pedestrian light sources 11 may also include a plurality of first pedestrian light sources 11a that emit light in the first direction and a plurality of second pedestrian light sources 11b that emit light in the second direction. Similarly, the plurality of vehicle light sources 12 may also include a plurality of first vehicle light sources 12a that emit light in the third direction and a plurality of second vehicle light sources 12b that emit light in the fourth direction. The control unit 17 of the indication device 10 may also be able to separately control the plurality of first pedestrian light sources 11a and the plurality of second pedestrian light sources 11b. In addition, the control unit 17 may also be able to separately control the plurality of first vehicle light sources 12a and the plurality of second vehicle light sources 12b. According to this structure, for example, it is possible to separately and dynamically control the Figure 2Four crosswalks, namely, a crosswalk visually recognizable by a pedestrian located on the left side of the paper surface of the lane, a crosswalk visually recognizable by a pedestrian located on the right side of the paper surface of the lane, a crosswalk visually recognizable by the driver of a vehicle 30 traveling from the lower side to the upper side of the paper surface, and a crosswalk visually recognizable by the driver of a vehicle 30 traveling from the upper side to the lower side of the paper surface. Therefore, in terms of improving the degree of freedom in marking crosswalks, for example, in terms of being able to mark the crosswalks with a high degree of freedom according to the conditions of the lane and the sidewalk, such as marking only one of the first crosswalk and the second crosswalk or marking both, the technology for enabling people to recognize crosswalks on the road is further improved.

[0054] In addition, for example, an embodiment can also be adopted in which a general-purpose computer functions as the marking device 10 in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing the respective functions of the marking device 10 in the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes this program. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing this program.

Claims

1. A marking device, comprising: A plurality of light sources for pedestrians, respectively arranged on a lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane; A plurality of light sources for vehicles are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extending direction of the lane; A first detection unit that detects pedestrians who want to cross the lane; A second detection unit that detects vehicles on the lane; And A control unit that separately controls the plurality of light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of light sources for vehicles, The control unit lights the plurality of light sources for pedestrians to mark a first crosswalk that is visually recognizable by pedestrians who want to cross the lane, The control unit lights the plurality of light sources for vehicles to mark a second crosswalk that is visually recognizable by the drivers of the vehicles on the lane, When a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected, the control unit marks at least the first crosswalk, When a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and a vehicle is detected on the lane, the control unit marks both the first crosswalk and the second crosswalk.

2. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein, When a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and no vehicle is detected on the lane, the control unit does not mark the second crosswalk but marks the first crosswalk.

3. The marking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of light sources for pedestrians are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of first areas on the lane, The plurality of light sources for vehicles are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of second areas on the lane, The plurality of first areas and the plurality of second areas are alternately arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the lane.

4. The marking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of light sources for pedestrians include a plurality of first light sources for pedestrians that emit light in the first direction and a plurality of second light sources for pedestrians that emit light in the second direction, The plurality of light sources for vehicles include a plurality of first light sources for vehicles that emit light in the third direction and a plurality of second light sources for vehicles that emit light in the fourth direction, The control unit separately controls the plurality of first light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of second light sources for pedestrians, The control unit separately controls the plurality of first light sources for vehicles and the plurality of second light sources for vehicles.

5. The marking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of light sources for pedestrians respectively emit light in both the first direction and the second direction, The plurality of light sources for vehicles respectively emit light in both the third direction and the fourth direction.

6. A marking system, comprising a marking device and a control device, the marking device having: a plurality of light sources for pedestrians, respectively arranged on a lane, and emitting light toward at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane; A plurality of light sources for vehicles are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extending direction of the lane; A first detection unit that detects pedestrians who want to cross the lane; And a second detection unit that detects vehicles on the lane. The control device communicates with the marking device to separately control the plurality of light sources for pedestrians and the plurality of light sources for vehicles, wherein The control device lights the plurality of light sources for pedestrians to mark a first crosswalk that is visually recognizable by pedestrians who want to cross the lane, The control device lights the plurality of light sources for vehicles to mark a second crosswalk that is visually recognizable by the drivers of the vehicles on the lane, When a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected, the control device marks at least the first crosswalk, In the case where a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and a vehicle is detected on the lane, the control device marks both the first crosswalk and the second crosswalk.

7. The marking system according to claim 6, wherein, In the case where a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and no vehicle is detected on the lane, the control device marks the first crosswalk without marking the second crosswalk.

8. The marking system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The plurality of pedestrian light sources are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of first areas on the lane. The plurality of vehicle light sources are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of second areas on the lane. The plurality of first areas and the plurality of second areas are alternately arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the lane.

9. The marking system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The plurality of pedestrian light sources include a plurality of first pedestrian light sources that emit light toward the first direction and a plurality of second pedestrian light sources that emit light toward the second direction. The plurality of vehicle light sources include a plurality of first vehicle light sources that emit light toward the third direction and a plurality of second vehicle light sources that emit light toward the fourth direction. The control device separately controls the plurality of first pedestrian light sources and the plurality of second pedestrian light sources. The control device separately controls the plurality of first vehicle light sources and the plurality of second vehicle light sources.

10. The marking system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The plurality of pedestrian light sources respectively emit light toward both the first direction and the second direction. The plurality of vehicle light sources respectively emit light toward both the third direction and the fourth direction.

11. A control method for a marking device, the marking device comprising: a plurality of light sources for pedestrians, which are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of a first direction and a second direction along the width direction of the lane; a plurality of light sources for vehicles, which are respectively arranged on the lane and emit light in at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along the extension direction of the lane; A first detection unit that detects a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane. A second detection unit that detects a vehicle on the lane. And a control unit that separately controls the plurality of pedestrian light sources and the plurality of vehicle light sources, wherein The control method includes: The control unit marks a first crosswalk that enables a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane to visually recognize by lighting the plurality of pedestrian light sources. The control unit marks a second crosswalk that enables the driver of a vehicle on the lane to visually recognize by lighting the plurality of vehicle light sources. In the case where a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected, the control unit marks at least the first crosswalk. In the case where a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and a vehicle is detected on the lane, the control unit marks both the first crosswalk and the second crosswalk.

12. The control method according to claim 11, wherein, In the case where a pedestrian who wants to cross the lane is detected and no vehicle is detected on the lane, the control unit marks the first crosswalk without marking the second crosswalk.

13. The control method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of pedestrian light sources are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of first areas on the lane. The plurality of vehicle light sources are dispersedly arranged in a plurality of second areas on the lane. The plurality of first areas and the plurality of second areas are alternately arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the lane.

14. The control method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The plurality of pedestrian light sources include a plurality of first pedestrian light sources that emit light toward the first direction and a plurality of second pedestrian light sources that emit light toward the second direction. The plurality of vehicle light sources include a plurality of first vehicle light sources that emit light toward the third direction and a plurality of second vehicle light sources that emit light toward the fourth direction. The control section controls the plurality of first pedestrian light sources and the plurality of second pedestrian light sources. The control section controls the plurality of first vehicle light sources and the plurality of second vehicle light sources.

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