Traffic Control Device Wireless Communication Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic control devices are large, heavy, and environmentally unsustainable, lacking the ability to communicate real-time information wirelessly and requiring significant materials and energy for production and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A traffic control device with a base, body, and integrated communication module capable of transmitting signals to autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, including sensors and processors for data processing and AI-driven decision-making, allowing for reduced material usage and enhanced information sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traffic control devices are made large and heavy with bright colors to provide visual information and physical barrier function at long distances, then visibility and barrier capability are improved, but weight, manufacturing cost, storage difficulty, shipping cost, and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical traffic control device with an electronic system consisting of a processor, communication module, and interface device. The processor transmits control signals wirelessly to vehicles, eliminating the need for large physical barriers and brightly colored devices. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic communication systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining traffic control functionality while dramatically reducing weight and material usage.
2Strength
If traffic control devices are made large and heavy to provide physical barrier function, then barrier capability is improved, but manufacturing, storage, and shipping complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical barrier function with an electronic communication system. The processor communicates vehicle control signals to autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, allowing the vehicles to self-regulate and create virtual barriers through coordinated control. This eliminates the need for heavy physical barriers while reducing manufacturing and storage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module acts as an intermediary between the traffic control system and vehicles. Instead of using physical barriers to prevent collisions, the system transmits control signals that enable vehicles to autonomously adjust their behavior, using information exchange as the mediating mechanism rather than physical obstruction.
3Device complexity
If traditional traffic control devices are used without communication capabilities, then device simplicity is maintained, but real-time information sharing and traffic management efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The processor in the traffic control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes sensor data, generates control signals, communicates with vehicles, and coordinates with other traffic control devices. This multi-functionality enables real-time information sharing and coordinated traffic management while keeping the device architecture relatively simple and unified.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic control device system and method for communicating with autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. The traffic control device includes a base adapted to be placed on a surface, a body portion joined to the base portion and extending therefrom, and a communication module joined to or integral with the base or body portion. The communication module includes a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal from the traffic control device to one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, wherein the signal includes information that can be used by the one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles to affect or control at least one system of the vehicle.