Adaptive street lamp with person detector

Abstract

Street light (2) for placement on the road near a place with increased pedestrian traffic, e.g. a pedestrian crossing or a bus stop, wherein the street light (2) is connected to a sensor (4) which is configured to detect the presence and / or movement of persons, and the street light (2) has a control device which is configured to change a spectral color and / or a luminous frequency of a light (6) emitted by the street light when a person is detected.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a street light which is specifically designed for placement on a road near a pedestrian crossing or another location with increased pedestrian traffic, e.g. at a bus stop adjacent to the road.

[0002] Studies have shown that pedestrians are far more frequently involved in traffic accidents at night than in better visibility conditions. Furthermore, pedestrian accidents do not occur more often at night than during the day, but the consequences of these accidents are usually more severe. Contrary to expectations, more accidents also occur at traffic lights at night.

[0003] In recent years, the steadily increasing light intensity of car headlights has also been identified as a factor increasing the risk of accidents, as it leads to glare for oncoming vehicles and thus to a reduction in contrast.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to increase the personal protection of pedestrians involved in road traffic in the dark.

[0005] The problem is solved by a street light according to claim 1.

[0006] Accident investigations have already shown that pedestrian crossings (also known as zebra crossings) equipped with their own lighting system have lower accident rates involving pedestrians. The street light according to the invention therefore aims to improve the visibility of people near the road by selectively altering the spectral properties and / or the luminous frequency of the street light. These lights can, in principle, be used anywhere along a road and are preferably intended for locations where a high volume of pedestrians is expected, such as near pedestrian crossings or bus stops. The light has a sensor designed to detect the presence or movement of people in its vicinity.Depending on the sensor data, the street light is controlled to change its spectral color or light frequency. Changing the spectral color and / or light frequency makes the person visually more noticeable to drivers. A particular advantage is that the light changes are only activated when a person is actually detected. This prevents drivers from becoming accustomed to specific light patterns that are permanently present at that location. The change in lighting conditions increases the driver's awareness, making it easier to perceive people in the dark.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is configured to increase the ultraviolet component of the light emitted by the street lamp when a person is detected. The ultraviolet light produces fluorescent light on the clothing of the detected persons. This makes them particularly easy to see at night for the driver of an approaching vehicle.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device causes the light to flash when a person is detected. The flashing has the advantage of alerting the driver to the potential hazard posed by the person. Simply illuminating the person at the roadside would not attract the same level of attention from the driver as a flashing light.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to increase the red component of the light emitted by the lamp when a person is detected. The color red is also perceived as a warning signal by the driver.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the control system is configured to change the light color of the street light from a warm white to a cool white tone upon detection of a person. This color change makes, for example, the pedestrian crossing appear in dazzlingly bright light, thereby increasing the driver's attention.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is configured to change the light distribution of the luminaire upon detection of a person, in particular to produce a wider light distribution. In addition to changing the light color, as in the preceding embodiments, the light distribution itself can also be modified. For example, the edge of a pedestrian crossing, where people wait to cross the street, can be illuminated only when people are actually present in that area. Switching the light distribution can therefore be used to illuminate an area on or adjacent to the street that would not be illuminated, or would only be illuminated with weaker light, under normal circumstances, i.e., without people present.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the street light is further connected to a sensor designed to detect approaching vehicles, and the change in spectral color and / or light frequency for a detected person is only activated when an approaching car is detected simultaneously. This saves energy and the change in light is not perceived as disturbing when no vehicle is nearby.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor for detecting the presence and movement of people comprises a camera sensor, an infrared camera, a PIR sensor, an RF sensor, and / or a lidar sensor. These sensor types make it easy to detect people and / or vehicles in the danger zone.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the control system is configured to increase the luminous flux of the lamp in an area where a person is detected. In this embodiment, a person can be selectively illuminated to draw the driver's attention to that person. The luminous flux itself can, according to one embodiment, be used to produce a change in the spectral color and / or the luminous frequency of the street lamp's light.

[0015] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which is given in conjunction with the figure. The figure illustrates the following: Figure 1 schematically shows a street light of a road in the area of ​​a pedestrian crossing with an approaching car.

[0016] The present invention can be integrated into a conventional street light. As in the Fig. 1As shown, a street light can be positioned near a pedestrian crossing and configured to illuminate the area directly adjacent to the crossing with at least a portion of its light source. This illumination is not static for the entire lighting period, but dynamic, occurring only when a person is detected near the crossing. For this purpose, a sensor 4 is integrated into the street light 2. Due to the elevated position of the light 2 on a lamppost 3, this sensor can easily detect the area of ​​the pedestrian crossing. As soon as a person is detected, and the light is otherwise switched on, additional light emission 6 can be triggered, with a spectral distribution that differs from the spectral distribution the light typically emits when switched on. Preferably, a higher proportion of UV light is emitted.This light component causes white clothing in particular to emit a luminescent light, making the person at or on the pedestrian crossing very easy to see for an approaching vehicle.

[0017] Furthermore, the sensor unit 4 is designed to include a motion detector that detects approaching vehicles. The activation of the lighting with the additional spectral color for improved pedestrian visibility can also be triggered when a vehicle approaches. According to another embodiment, the additional lighting with the wider spectral distribution can also be activated only in combination, i.e., when a pedestrian is near the crossing and a vehicle is detected.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the light output 6 can also be emitted in the form of a flashing light when a pedestrian and, if applicable, a vehicle is detected. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0019] 2 Street light 3 Light pole 4 Sensor, in particular motion sensor 6 Light with modified spectral distribution and / or flashing light

Claims

1. Street light (2) for arrangement on the road near a place with increased pedestrian traffic, e.g. a pedestrian crossing or a bus stop, wherein the street light (2) is connected to a sensor (4) which is configured to detect the presence and / or movement of persons, and the street light (2) has a control device which is configured to change a spectral color and / or a luminous frequency of a light (6) emitted by the street light when a person is detected.

2. Street lamp (2) according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to increase an ultraviolet component of the light (6) emitted by the street lamp upon detection of a person.

3. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device causes the light to flash upon detection of a person.

4. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is configured to increase a red component of the light (6) emitted by the light upon detection of a person.

5. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control is configured to change the light color of the street light from a warm white to a cool white hue upon detection of a person.

6. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is configured to change the light distribution of the light when a person is detected, in particular to produce a wider light distribution.

7. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the street light (2) is further connected to a sensor which is configured to detect vehicles approaching the light, and the change in spectral color and / or luminous frequency in the case of a detected person is only activated when an approaching car is detected at the same time.

8. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor for detecting the presence or movement of persons comprises a camera sensor, an infrared camera, a PIR sensor, an RF sensor and / or a lidar sensor.

9. Street light (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control is configured to increase the luminous flux of the light in an area where a person is detected.

10. Street lamp (2) according to claim 9, wherein the increased luminous flux causes the altered spectral color and / or the altered luminous frequency of the light of the street lamp.