Centralized Traffic Signal Preemption Data Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current traffic control preemption systems lack efficient management and analysis of preemption data across multiple intersections, leading to labor-intensive manual programming and limited interoperability with older emitter systems that do not transmit agency or jurisdiction information.

Innovation Solution

A centralized system for managing traffic signal preemption data that retrieves, stores, and presents data from multiple intersections, using emitter codes to determine vehicle priority and relationships, allowing for centralized configuration and management of preemption controllers, and enabling data analysis and reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If preemption data is manually programmed and managed at each intersection, then system compatibility with older emitter systems is maintained, but management efficiency and data analysis capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability with older emitter systemsVSAvoidmanagement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A centralized server acts as an intermediary between multiple intersections and preemption controllers. The server collects, stores, and manages preemption data from across the network, enabling centralized configuration and management while maintaining compatibility with legacy emitter systems at individual intersections. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing centralized efficiency without requiring changes to older emitter hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The preemption management system is designed to handle multiple functions: it manages both older emitter systems and newer GPS-based systems, stores historical preemption data, provides real-time monitoring, and enables data analysis. This universal platform accommodates diverse system types and management needs, improving overall productivity while maintaining broad interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If preemption data is stored locally at each intersection, then data access is simple, but data analysis and reporting capability across multiple intersections is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage simplicityVSAvoidpreemption data analysis capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Preemption data from multiple intersections is merged into a centralized database on the server. This consolidation preserves all individual intersection data while enabling comprehensive cross-intersection analysis and reporting. The system combines local data collection simplicity with centralized analytical power, resolving the contradiction between easy local storage and limited analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a centralized system is implemented to manage preemption data, then management efficiency and data analysis improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized preemption management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: data collection from intersections, centralized storage in database, data processing and analysis, and reporting interfaces. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by making each component independent and manageable, while still providing comprehensive centralized management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances interoperability with older systems, simplifies the management of preemption data, and allows for better analysis of preemption use, improving the efficiency and accuracy of traffic signal control while maintaining compatibility with various detection methods.

Implementation Method 1

A receiver, which includes a photo detector and associated electronics, is typically mounted on the mast arm located at the intersection and produces a series of voltage pulses, the number of which are proportional to the intensity of light pulses received from the emitter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8344908B2Monitoring management and presentation of preemption control data of centrally managed traffic signals

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 MIOVISION TECHNOLOGIES US LLC

AI summary

Managing traffic signal preemption data accumulated at a plurality of intersections. In one approach a method includes reading the preemption data stored at each of the intersections. The preemption data includes for each preemption request an emitter code, and a date and a time the preemption request was submitted. The preemption data read from the intersections are stored in a database, and each emitter code is associated with a vehicle name in the database. Selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are read from the database in response to user input, and the selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are displayed. The database further stores data identifying the intersection from which the preemption data was read.