Crosswalk Infrastructure System for Vehicle-Pedestrian Safety Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic accidents between pedestrians and vehicles at crosswalks are frequent due to a lack of effective methods for notifying pedestrians of approaching vehicles or controlling vehicle speed.
Innovation Solution
A crosswalk system comprising an infrastructure with sensors, communication devices, and indicating devices that detect external objects and vehicles, providing information to both pedestrians and vehicles about safe crossing conditions through visual and audio signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic lights provide predetermined cycle signals, then the system operation is simple and reliable, but the safety response to approaching vehicles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of approaching vehicles using sensors (cameras, LIDAR, radar) before the vehicle reaches the crosswalk. The infrastructure device calculates the distance and time-to-arrival, and preemptively sends warning signals to both the vehicle and pedestrians, allowing them to take preventive action before the dangerous situation arises.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure device acts as an intermediary between vehicles and pedestrians. It receives data from vehicle sensors, processes the distance and speed information, and generates appropriate warning signals for both parties. This intermediary system coordinates the safety response without requiring direct communication between vehicles and pedestrians.
2Reliability
If the system provides real-time vehicle detection and warning signals, then pedestrian safety is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the safety function into distinct components: sensor modules for detection, processing modules for distance calculation, and separate output channels for vehicle warnings and pedestrian warnings. This modular segmentation allows the system to be built incrementally and maintained more easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure device performs multiple functions: it detects vehicles, calculates distances, determines time-to-arrival, generates vehicle warnings, and generates pedestrian warnings. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate systems into a single integrated platform, reducing overall complexity.
3Speed
If the infrastructure monitors vehicle position and sends control signals, then vehicle speed control is achieved, but the communication system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the infrastructure device continuously monitors vehicle position and speed, calculates the time-to-arrival at the crosswalk, and adjusts warning signals accordingly. The vehicle's response (stopping or proceeding) can be detected and used to further refine the safety assessment, creating a dynamic feedback-controlled system.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a crosswalk system according to various embodiments comprising an infrastructure including a communication device, a vehicle communicating with the infrastructure, and an indicating device electrically connected to the infrastructure. The infrastructure may detect an external object within a predetermined area through at least one sensor, obtain a location of the vehicle through the communication device, and based on the detected external object and the obtained position of the vehicle, transmit to the indicating device a signal requesting provision of information related to whether it is possible to cross the predetermined area from the external object or the vehicle. Other various embodiment may be implemented.