Interchange Structure Using Overpass Bridges for Traffic Flow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grade separation interchange designs are complex and expensive when more than two levels are vertically aligned, leading to reduced traffic efficiency and increased accident probabilities, and they lack suitability for future auto-driving traffic demands and prefabricated assembly.
Innovation Solution
The design includes two through roads crossing at different altitudes with four overpass bridges, allowing for unidirectional roads with specific entrance and exit configurations that reduce traffic flow intersections and enable prefabricated assembly, thereby simplifying the interchange structure and enhancing traffic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If present grade separation interchange designs use more than 2 levels vertically, then road capacity and traffic flow are improved, but design complexity and construction cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking (2D plan view) to three-dimensional spatial arrangement with overpass bridges at different altitudes. By introducing the vertical dimension for road separation, the design achieves grade separation without requiring multiple vertical levels, thus maintaining simplicity while improving traffic capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interchange is segmented into distinct functional modules: four overpass bridges (B1-B4) for through traffic, dedicated turn lanes (R1, R2, L1, L2) for turning movements, and separate entrance/exit areas. This modular segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall design.
2Device complexity
If present grade separation interchange designs use 2 levels vertically, then construction cost is reduced, but traffic flow intersections increase which lower traffic efficiency and increase accident probabilities
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the third dimension (vertical altitude) for road separation through overpass bridges, the patent eliminates the need for traffic flow intersections that occur in two-level designs. Through roads pass over intersecting roads at different altitudes, achieving complete grade separation and eliminating conflict points while maintaining design simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Overpass bridges serve as intermediary structures that mediate between intersecting roads. Instead of roads crossing at the same level (creating intersections), the overpass bridges elevate one road above another, acting as a mediator that separates traffic flows spatially and eliminates direct interactions between conflicting traffic streams.
3Adaptability or versatility
If present interchange designs are created without prefabricated assembly considerations, then design flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing cost and construction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interchange design is segmented into standardized, repeatable modules including overpass bridges, turn lanes, and road sections. These modular components can be manufactured separately using prefabricated assembly techniques and then assembled on-site, reducing construction time and cost while maintaining design flexibility through modular configuration.
4Productivity
If present road networks are designed without considering future auto-driving demands, then current traffic requirements are met, but future adaptability and efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The road network design incorporates universal features that serve both current manual driving and future automated driving requirements. Dedicated turn lanes, clear geometric configurations, and standardized interchange patterns create a universally applicable infrastructure that can accommodate various driving modes, ensuring long-term adaptability without requiring redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of this invention is to provide innovated interchange and road network, the interchange of which is to avoid the traffic flow intersections to improve the traffic efficiency and speed and to lower probabilities of accidents of present interchange design and also which is suitable for batch manufacturing like prefabricated assembly to reduce cost significantly, and the road network of which is to provide better design for traffic especially for automatic driving traffic.