GPS Warning System for Low Clearance Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial truck, bus, and RV drivers face challenges in safely navigating underpasses and bridges with insufficient clearance, as existing GPS and warning systems are not reliable enough to provide timely alerts and reroute options, often resulting in wasted time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A GPS and warning system with a computer module programmed with road, bridge, and underpass data, including clearance measurements, that uses GPS coordinates to trigger audible and visual alerts when approaching structures with insufficient clearance, and displays alternative routes on a display screen, ensuring the vehicle is not operated until the system is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a GPS warning system is implemented to alert drivers of low clearance structures, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (GPS location tracking, database lookup for clearance heights, warning signal generation, and route guidance) into a single integrated GPS warning system unit that can be installed in vehicles, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring GPS location and proactively querying the database for upcoming low clearance structures before the vehicle reaches them, allowing drivers to take preventive measures such as stopping or rerouting before collision risk arises
2Reliability
If the system provides timely warnings and reroute options, then safety is improved, but loss of time occurs due to vehicle stopping and route changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides advance warning of low clearance structures before the vehicle reaches them, allowing drivers to plan and execute route changes or stopping decisions in advance rather than at the last moment, thereby reducing the actual time lost during the incident
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the driver through warnings and route suggestions, enabling informed decision-making about whether to stop, reroute, or proceed, optimizing the balance between safety and time loss based on real-time conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A GPS and warning system is a GPS monitoring and alarm system that would warn truckers, bus and RV drivers, approaching underpasses, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, and other structures of insufficient clearance for their vehicle. With the vehicle height entered into the GPS and warning system, as well as including the actual measurements of each and every structure along with GPS coordinates, the intent is to safely alert, and reroute the driver, should the vehicle be approaching a structure with low clearance.