Roadside Sign Controller Consolidating NTCIP Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of roadside technologies has led to physical and virtual space constraints in roadside enclosures and central networks, as each road sign and signal traditionally requires individual controllers connected to the central network, resulting in high costs for infrastructure expansion.
Innovation Solution
A roadside signal system with a single control unit that uses National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (NTCIP) compliant transmissions to manage multiple signs and signals, allowing for efficient communication and reducing the physical and virtual space requirements, while enabling redundancy and flexibility in infrastructure development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each road sign and signal uses individual controllers connected to the central network, then system control and monitoring are reliable, but physical space in roadside enclosures and virtual space in central networks are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple individual controllers into a single roadside controller that manages multiple signs and signals. This single controller combines the functionality of what would otherwise be separate controller units, reducing physical space requirements in roadside enclosures while maintaining the ability to control and monitor multiple roadside devices through a unified control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The roadside controller is designed as a multi-functional device that can control and monitor various types of roadside signs and signals simultaneously. This universal controller handles diverse communication protocols and device types, eliminating the need for dedicated single-function controllers for each device, thereby reducing both physical and virtual space consumption.
2Ease of operation
If each road sign and signal uses individual controllers connected to the central network, then device control is precise, but virtual space in central networks and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple device control functions are merged into a single roadside controller that manages all connected signs and signals. This consolidation reduces the number of individual controller instances that would otherwise each require separate virtual space allocations in the central network, thereby reducing total virtual space consumption while maintaining comprehensive device control capability.
3Reliability
If individual controllers are used for each road sign and signal, then system redundancy is limited, but infrastructure expansion costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidation of multiple controllers into a single roadside controller with multi-device management capability creates a more robust system architecture. This unified controller can implement redundancy strategies more effectively than multiple individual controllers, as failures can be managed centrally and backup capabilities can be shared across all connected devices, reducing overall infrastructure complexity and expansion costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A roadside signal system and a roadside controller are provided relating to the control and operation of roadside signals and signs, such as those used by departments of transportation and municipalities. The roadside signal system and controller are configured to operate using National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (“NTCIP”) compliant transmissions at both a local and remote level. The roadside controller by itself and as a part of the roadside signal system operates a local network to control multiple signs or signals from a single connection to a central network, thus saving physical space within the roadside cabinets used to store such controllers and virtual network space on the central network.