Bypass Merge Lanes Segmentation Traffic Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traffic congestion and safety risks occur at roadways due to vehicles entering or exiting, causing impediments and hazards for through traffic and exiting motorists, especially when lane changes are made to avoid congestion.

Innovation Solution

Implementing lane separators and signage to manage traffic by designating merge lanes and bypass lanes near entrances and exits, preventing through traffic from crossing these separators and alerting drivers to upcoming lane changes through signage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vehicles are allowed to change lanes freely to avoid traffic congestion near entrances and exits, then through traffic can maintain better flow, but safety risks increase due to unpredictable lane changes near merging and exiting vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrough traffic flowVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The roadway is segmented into distinct zones using lane separators: merge lanes for entering vehicles, bypass lanes for through traffic, and exit lanes for exiting vehicles. This segmentation prevents random lane changes by creating physically separated zones with specific functions, thereby maintaining through traffic flow while eliminating safety risks associated with unpredictable lane changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If lane separators are implemented to separate merge and bypass lanes, then safety and traffic management improve, but roadway complexity and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic management safetyVSAvoidroadway structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Lane separators serve as intermediary elements that physically divide the roadway into functional zones without requiring complete reconstruction of the roadway infrastructure. These separators can be installed as removable or permanent barriers, providing the necessary segmentation for safety while minimizing disruption to the existing roadway structure and reducing construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If signage is added to alert motorists of upcoming lane separators, then driver awareness and safety improve, but roadway cost and visual clutter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver awarenessVSAvoidroadway infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Signage is placed in advance of lane separators to provide early warning to drivers about upcoming changes in traffic patterns and lane restrictions. This preliminary notification allows drivers to prepare and adjust their driving behavior before reaching the separators, improving awareness and safety while using simple, cost-effective signage rather than complex infrastructure modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11386815B2Bypass merge lanes

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 BRASHER ROBERT C

AI summary

A system to improve the management of through traffic and vehicles entering and exiting a multilane roadway. The lanes are separated by at least one lane separator which should not be crossed by traffic along a designated portion of the roadway, such as within a predetermined distance from a roadway entrance or exit. The at least one lane separator may be any lane marking, barrier, or the like. The at least one lane separator can be any length and located anywhere with respect to the lanes.