Movable Plate Vehicle Arrestor for Urban Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle barrier systems are not optimally suited for urban settings due to space constraints and are either visually obstructive or require extensive lengths to effectively arrest vehicles, while also presenting challenges in pedestrian traffic and flexibility in design to meet performance standards.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle arrestor system featuring a ditch box with a movable plate and mechanical actuator that can be lowered in elevation to arrest vehicle movement or serve as a speed notification, allowing for strategic placement in 'locked island' arrangements to control vehicle entry and exit points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed passive barriers such as walls or bollards are used to stop vehicles, then vehicle arrest capability is achieved, but pedestrian traffic is impeded and visual openness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system employs a movable plate that can dynamically change its position between a retracted state (allowing pedestrian traffic and visual openness) and an extended state (providing vehicle arrest capability). The plate is actuated by a mechanical actuator that moves it horizontally into the path of approaching vehicles only when needed.
2Reliability
If fixed passive barriers such as walls or bollards are used to stop vehicles, then vehicle arrest capability is achieved, but visual openness of the landscape is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate remains retracted during normal conditions, maintaining visual openness and landscape aesthetics. When vehicle arrest is required, the plate extends horizontally to provide the necessary barrier capability, thus dynamically balancing visual openness with safety requirements.
3Reliability
If crushable beds are used to arrest vehicles, then vehicle deceleration is achieved, but extended length of 50 feet or more is required which is not compatible with urban settings
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate provides vehicle arrest capability in a compact form factor by moving into the vehicle's path rather than requiring an extended crushable bed. The plate's horizontal movement allows it to intercept and stop vehicles within a much shorter distance, making it suitable for urban settings with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential vehicle arrest function from the extended crushable bed concept and concentrates it into a compact movable plate that can be positioned precisely where needed, eliminating the requirement for long arrestor lengths.
4Reliability
If fixed passive barriers are installed to meet performance standards, then vehicle arrest capability is achieved, but flexibility in design and application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate system can be actuated on demand to provide vehicle arrest capability only when needed, offering design flexibility while meeting performance standards. The system can be integrated into various urban landscapes and adapted to different locations without requiring fixed extensive barriers.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle arrestor system includes a ditch box defined by a pair of opposing side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls forming a chamber therebetween. A movable plate forms at least a portion of a top wall of the chamber. A mechanical actuator is operably coupled to the movable plate for causing the movable plate to move between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. The movable plate is flush with the road pavement when in the non-actuated position and is not flush with the road pavement when in the actuated position. The vehicle arrestor system serves a dual purpose of arresting movement of a vehicle and providing a notification to a driver of the vehicle to slow down if the vehicle is exceeding the posted speed limit. A plurality of vehicle arrestor systems can be strategically placed in a “locked island” arrangement.