Pedestrian Activated Stop Sign with Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic control systems for crosswalks either use permanent stop signs or traffic lights, which interfere with vehicular flow when there are no pedestrians, as they remain active regardless of pedestrian traffic presence.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian-activated illuminated stop sign system comprising a fixed support assembly, a pedestrian-activated mechanism, a timer, and an octagonal display with a backlight, allowing pedestrians to control traffic only when necessary, with the display showing 'STOP' when activated and turning off after a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent stop sign is installed at the crosswalk, then pedestrian safety is improved, but vehicular flow is unnecessarily interfered with when there are no pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The stop sign is transformed from a static permanent sign into a dynamic signal that can change its state. The sign remains inactive (no stop signal) when there are no pedestrians, and activates ( displays STOP) when a pedestrian presses the button, allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows pedestrians to activate the stop sign themselves by pressing a button, eliminating the need for permanent active stop signs or traffic lights. The pedestrian initiates the stopping action only when needed, giving them control over the traffic signal rather than relying on a continuously active signal.
2Reliability
If traffic lights are used at the crosswalk, then pedestrian safety is improved, but vehicular flow is unnecessarily interfered with when there are no pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of a stop sign (requesting vehicles to stop) and separates it from the continuous operation of traffic lights. Instead of having a continuously active light signal, the system uses a button-activated mechanism that only displays the stop signal when a pedestrian needs to cross, removing the unnecessary continuous interference with vehicular flow.
3Device complexity
If a permanent stop sign is used, then the infrastructure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying pedestrian traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a simple dynamic element (a button and illuminated display) to the basic stop sign infrastructure. This allows the sign to adapt its state based on pedestrian presence - remaining inactive when no pedestrians are present and activating when a pedestrian presses the button, providing adaptability without complex infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention is an illuminated stop sign for allowing pedestrians to control traffic. The system comprises a fixed support assembly; a pedestrian activated mechanism; a timer set for a predetermined period of time when the pedestrian activated mechanism is activated; and an octagonal display nonremovably mounted to the fixed support assembly comprising a backlight within the display and a display surface comprising a word “STOP” visible when the backlight is illuminated and substantially not visible when the backlight is not illuminated, the backlight being illuminated until the predetermined period of time is expired.