Emergency Vehicle Collision Avoidance and Signal Preemption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicles often face delays and collisions at intersections due to ineffective traffic signal preemption systems, which rely on audible and visual warnings that can be misunderstood, especially in congested areas, and fail to account for the proximity of multiple emergency vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system that predicts the likely travel routes of emergency vehicles based on historical data and driver habits, preempting traffic signals to clear paths efficiently and providing collision avoidance information to drivers, using geowindows and turn signal data to anticipate and adjust routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audible and visual warning devices are used to alert other vehicles at intersections, then emergency vehicles can be detected, but confusion and accidents still occur due to impaired hearing, inattention, and multiple emergency vehicle signals overlapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces audible and visual warning devices with an electronic communication system. The preemption device at intersections communicates directly with emergency vehicle operators through electronic signals, eliminating the need for sirens and visual warnings that are subject to environmental interference and human perception limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a preemption device as an intermediary between traffic signals and emergency vehicle operators. This device receives signals from emergency vehicles and communicates intersection status and preemption actions back to the operators, providing clear, unambiguous information without the confusion of multiple overlapping signals.
2Loss of time
If traffic signals are preempted to allow emergency vehicles to traverse intersections quickly, then response time is reduced, but collisions may occur when multiple emergency vehicles are approaching the same intersection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the preemption device communicates with emergency vehicle operators to provide information about other emergency vehicles in the area and the status of traffic signal preemption. This allows operators to adjust their driving behavior accordingly, reducing the risk of collisions while maintaining fast response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses predictive algorithms to identify likely travel routes of emergency vehicles based on historical data and driver habits. The system preemptively prepares traffic signals for upcoming intersections along predicted routes, allowing emergency vehicles to traverse multiple intersections quickly while the system monitors for potential conflicts with other emergency vehicles.
3Speed
If emergency vehicle operators drive at high speeds through congested areas to reach destinations quickly, then response time is reduced, but they become unaware of other vehicles in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The preemption device serves as an intermediary that provides situational awareness information to emergency vehicle operators. It communicates the locations and movements of other emergency vehicles in the area, allowing operators to maintain high speeds while staying informed about potential hazards they might otherwise miss due to focused driving.
4Productivity
If turn signals are not used by emergency vehicle operators, then driving efficiency is maintained, but traffic signal preemption is delayed until after the turn is made
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses predictive algorithms to anticipate turns and route changes based on historical data and driver habits. When an emergency vehicle is approaching an intersection, the system preemptively prepares traffic signals for likely routes, so that even if the operator does not use turn signals, the preemption sequence begins in advance, maintaining both driving efficiency and optimal signal timing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of avoiding collisions and preempting traffic signals, including the steps of predicting a first likely travel route of a first vehicle along established roadways; predicting a second likely travel route of a second vehicle along the established roadways; preempting a normal operation of at least one traffic signal at an intersection of roadways along at least one of the first likely travel route and the second likely travel route allowing at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to traverse the intersection; and determining whether both the first vehicle and the second vehicle will be at the intersection within a predefined time interval of each other.