Self-Propelled Traffic Barrier Modules for Dynamic Road Work Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temporary traffic barriers are cumbersome to install, remove, and reposition, often requiring significant resources and causing traffic disruptions, especially on busy or narrow roads.

Innovation Solution

A series of connected barrier modules with at least one drive each, allowing the barrier to be supported by its drives during use, enabling movement alongside workers and equipment without the need to lower the barrier body onto the road surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional temporary traffic barriers are installed to protect workers and equipment, then safety is improved, but installation and repositioning becomes cumbersome requiring significant resources and causing traffic disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidinstallation and repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier modules are equipped with drive units that enable them to move autonomously along the road surface. This transforms the static barrier system into a dynamic one that can reposition itself without external equipment, resolving the contradiction between safety provision and ease of installation/repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each barrier module contains its own drive unit, allowing the barrier to move and reposition itself independently. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external heavy equipment and manual labor for repositioning, while maintaining the safety function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional temporary traffic barriers are moved using external equipment, then repositioning is achieved, but additional lanes must be closed off causing increased traffic nuisance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidtraffic disruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous drive units enable the barrier to move independently along the existing road surface without requiring lane closures for equipment operation, reducing traffic disruptions while maintaining repositioning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier's self-propelled drive units eliminate the need for external moving equipment, allowing repositioning to occur within the existing traffic flow without closing additional lanes, thus reducing harmful traffic disruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If barrier modules are supported on the road surface by their drives, then movement alongside workers is enabled, but the barrier body must be elevated off the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidbarrier body position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The drive units support the barrier modules and enable them to move along the road surface while maintaining an elevated position. This dynamic configuration allows the barrier to follow workers and equipment during road works, resolving the contradiction between movement capability and barrier body position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4240909B1Traffic barrier, method for using a barrier, and barrier module

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 BAGGER BOSKALIS

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AI summary

Method for protecting workers and/or equipment from errant vehicles and/or rerouting traffic on a road surface, using a series of connected barrier modules, each barrier module provided with at least one drive, wherein the series of barrier modules are supported on the road surface by their drives only, at least during use as a temporary traffic barrier.