Road Barrier Transfer Machine With GPS Placement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Precise placement of moveable road barriers is difficult, leading to potential traffic disruptions and collision risks, and determining fault in collisions is challenging due to barrier movement.
Innovation Solution
A road barrier transfer machine equipped with a tracking system that records and tracks the locations of barriers using GPS and cameras, providing a searchable log for evidentiary purposes and alerting operators of mis-positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If moveable road barrier systems are used to create traffic barriers between opposing lanes, then traffic flow efficiency is improved through flexible lane management, but precise placement becomes difficult and collision risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical placement operations with an automated barrier transfer machine that uses GPS guidance and automated positioning systems. The machine incorporates a control system that receives GPS coordinates and automatically positions barriers at precise locations, eliminating the imprecision of manual placement while maintaining the flexibility of moveable barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or record of barrier locations through GPS tracking and data logging. The system records the precise coordinates where barriers are placed, creating a verifiable digital representation of barrier positions that can be used for verification, collision investigation, and repositioning accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If road barrier systems are positioned precisely manually, then placement accuracy may be achieved, but operator inexperience leads to errors and fault determination in collisions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where GPS tracking continuously monitors barrier locations and the control system receives real-time position data. This feedback loop allows the system to verify that barriers are placed at the correct locations and provides a recorded history of barrier positions for collision investigations, eliminating uncertainty about pre-collision barrier placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces GPS technology and data logging systems as intermediaries between the barrier placement operation and the verification process. These intermediary systems objectively record barrier locations without being influenced by operator skill levels, providing reliable, verifiable data for fault determination in collisions.
3Device complexity
If barrier locations are not tracked, then the system remains simple, but evidence collection in collisions is difficult and operator training is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the barrier transfer machine to automatically track and record its own operational data including barrier locations, timestamps, and GPS coordinates. The system serves itself by generating its own operational record without requiring external monitoring equipment or manual documentation, providing complete location information while maintaining operational simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate placement of road barriers, reduces collision risks, and facilitates evidence collection by maintaining a record of barrier locations for training and corrective actions.
Implementation Method 1
the location sensor is a GPS receiver mounted on the rear of the barrier transfer machine for sensing geographic coordinates of the barriers as they are placed on the road surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A barrier transfer machine includes a moveable chassis, an entry snout, an exit snout, a conveyor system, and a tracking system that tracks and records the locations of road barriers as they are placed on a road surface so that the last locations of the barriers can be established for evidentiary purposes and/or for alerting operators or others of mis-positioned road barriers.