Bus Lane Prioritization Using Magnetometer Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bus lanes are often hindered by traffic signals and blocked intersections, causing buses to be delayed, and existing solutions require additional equipment on buses or are costly.
Innovation Solution
A traffic prioritization system using magnetometers in bus lanes to detect buses and communicate with a wireless base station, which generates control signals to adjust traffic lights and crossing gates to allow buses to pass through intersections without delay, without modifying the buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If magnetometers are installed in bus lanes to detect buses and control traffic signals, then bus traffic prioritization is achieved, but system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the bus itself (its metallic body) to trigger the detection mechanism. The magnetometer detects the change in magnetic field caused by the bus's presence, eliminating the need for the bus to carry or activate any special equipment. The bus essentially serves itself by its inherent metallic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer acts as an intermediary device that indirectly detects the bus through magnetic field changes rather than requiring direct communication or equipment on the bus. This intermediary approach simplifies both the bus side (no equipment needed) and provides reliable detection for traffic control.
2Loss of time
If existing bus prioritization systems are implemented, then buses can pass through intersections with priority, but additional equipment must be installed on buses
Solution Approach 1:
The bus's metallic body serves as the detection trigger itself. As the bus passes over the magnetometer, its ferromagnetic properties automatically generate a detectable signal, requiring no active participation or equipment from the bus system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection functionality is extracted from the bus and placed in the infrastructure (magnetometer in the road). This separation eliminates the need for equipment on the bus while maintaining the ability to detect and prioritize bus traffic.
3Ease of manufacture
If magnetometers are used to detect buses without modifying buses, then implementation cost is reduced, but detection reliability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses simple, inexpensive magnetometer sensors embedded in the road infrastructure rather than expensive onboard equipment on each bus. The detection mechanism relies on fundamental magnetic field principles that are reliable and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects buses by monitoring changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction) as the bus approaches and passes over the magnetometer. By measuring these physical parameter changes, the system achieves reliable detection without complex equipment.
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 buses can pass through intersections promptly and efficiently, reducing delays and costs by operating without the need for additional bus equipment, effectively prioritizing bus traffic.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetometers 120, 130 may be configured to detect a change in the earth's ambient magnetic field caused by the presence of a metallic object such as a bus in the bus lane 112
Data Source
AI summary
A bus lane prioritization system and method uses an approach magnetometer to detect a bus or other vehicle in a bus lane approaching an intersection, and an island exit magnetometer to detect when the vehicle has cleared the intersection. When the vehicle is approaching the intersection, the system signals a traffic light controller to control at least one traffic light to allow the vehicle in the bus lane to traverse the intersection without delay or with minimal delay, thereby prioritizing the bus lane. An optional crossing gate may also be used to prevent traffic from a perpendicular roadway from entering the intersection. When the vehicle clears the intersection, the system informs the traffic light controller that it is no longer necessary to configure the at least one traffic light to prioritize the bus lane, and optionally controls the crossing gate in a manner synchronized to the at least one traffic light.