Emergency Traffic Controller Signal Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicles often face delays and increased risk of accidents when trying to pass through intersections during red traffic lights, as existing traffic control systems do not efficiently allow for quick and safe passage.
Innovation Solution
An emergency traffic controller system that can be integrated with existing traffic light systems without modifying their structure or circuit design, featuring an emergency controlling unit, target redirection unit, and source selection unit to override traffic lights and allow emergency vehicles to pass safely and quickly by switching signals to traffic light signs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If emergency vehicles force through the intersection during red traffic light to save time, then the passage time is reduced, but the risk of car accident increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency traffic controller acts as an intermediary device between the existing traffic light controller and traffic light signs. It receives lighting signals from the traffic light controller and can redirect them to different targets based on emergency messages, enabling safe and quick passage without forcing through red lights
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between normal mode and emergency mode based on received emergency messages. In emergency mode, the target redirection unit dynamically redirects lighting signals to allow emergency vehicles to pass through while keeping other directions red, providing both speed and safety
2Productivity
If a new emergency traffic control system is introduced, then emergency vehicle passage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency traffic controller is designed as a universal device that can be integrated with existing traffic light systems without modifying their structure or circuit design. It works with any traffic light system in any country by interfacing with standard traffic light controllers and signs, adding emergency functionality without requiring system-specific customization
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency traffic controller is segmented into distinct functional units: emergency controlling unit for receiving emergency messages, target redirection unit for redirecting lighting signals, and source selection unit for selecting signal sources. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall system design and integration
3Productivity
If the emergency traffic controller overrides traffic light signals, then emergency vehicle passage is enabled, but the normal traffic control function is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency traffic controller operates periodically based on received emergency messages. It temporarily overrides normal traffic control only when an emergency message is detected, allows the emergency vehicle to pass, and then returns to normal mode afterward. This periodic intervention maintains overall traffic control stability while enabling emergency passage
Data Source
AI summary
A novel emergency traffic controller for emergency vehicles and a controlling method thereof are provided. The emergency traffic controller includes an emergency controlling unit, a target redirection unit and a source selection unit. The emergency controlling unit is used for receiving an emergency message and outputting a switching signal according to the emergency message. The target redirection unit is electrically coupled to an existing traffic light controller and the emergency controlling unit. The source selection unit is electrically coupled to the traffic light controller. The target redirection unit is used for receiving a lighting signal from the existing traffic light controller through the source selection unit and working with the emergency controlling unit to transmit the lighting signal to one of a plurality of traffic light signs according to the switching signal.