Vertical Interchange Overpass with Universal Lanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical overpasses for crossroads are complex, occupy valuable land, and often cause traffic bottlenecks due to the need for auxiliary lanes and inadequate drainage, leading to inefficiencies in vehicle and pedestrian movement, especially during rainstorms.
Innovation Solution
A vertical interchange overpass structure with a transverse roadway at the bottom level and a longitudinal road bridge at an upper level, connected by reversing ramps and a crisscross pedestrian walkway, allowing for seamless vehicle and pedestrian passage without traffic lights, and incorporating a universal lane system for flexible direction changes and emergency use during waterlogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional interchange vertical overpass is designed for crossroads, then vehicle passage is improved, but the ramps occupy auxiliary lanes under the bridge reducing land availability and causing traffic bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar intersection to a three-dimensional vertical interchange structure. Vehicles change directions by moving vertically between levels and then horizontally, eliminating the need for auxiliary lanes at the intersection plane. This dimensional transformation allows uninterrupted traffic flow while preserving ground-level lane capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interchange structure divides the traffic flow into separate vertical segments (upper and lower levels), with dedicated ramps for each direction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each traffic stream without interference, improving overall passage efficiency while minimizing ground occupation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex interchange vertical overpass structure is used, then vehicle direction change is facilitated, but construction difficulty and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric ramp configurations where the upper and lower levels have different lane arrangements and ramp positions. This asymmetry allows optimized traffic flow patterns for each level while simplifying the overall structural design compared to symmetric complex interchanges. The asymmetric layout enables straightforward direction changes without requiring complex multi-level weaving patterns.
3Reliability
If traffic lights are used at crossroads, then safe and orderly passage is commanded, but pedestrians and vehicles need to wait resulting in time waste
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical interchange structure enables continuous traffic flow by eliminating the need for traffic lights. Vehicles move continuously through the interchange levels without stopping, and pedestrians use dedicated walkways that operate independently of vehicle movements. This continuous action eliminates waiting time while maintaining safety through physical separation of traffic streams.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving traffic management to the vertical dimension rather than controlling intersections horizontally with traffic lights, the system eliminates the need for stop-and-go cycles. The vertical separation allows simultaneous movement of vehicles and pedestrians without conflict, maintaining safety while eliminating waiting time.
4Area of stationary object
If road sharing for both people and vehicles is allowed, then land use efficiency is improved, but pedestrians need to go up, down, bypass or be mixed with vehicles creating safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interchange into distinct vehicle zones and pedestrian zones. Pedestrians use dedicated walkways that are physically separated from vehicle ramps and roadways, while still utilizing the vertical structure for elevation changes. This segmentation allows efficient land use through shared vertical space while ensuring pedestrian safety and convenience through dedicated pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated pedestrian walkways act as intermediary structures that connect different levels without interfering with vehicle traffic. These walkways provide a mediating space where pedestrians can move between levels and across the interchange structure independently of vehicle movements, maintaining both land use efficiency and pedestrian safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An overpass structure with vertical interchange arrangement for crossroads includes a transverse roadway at a bottom level, a pedestrian walkway in the middle level and a longitudinal road bridge at an upper level. The vehicle roadways on and under the bridge are connected by two ramp units. The pedestrian walkway is a pedestrian platform with an interchange platform provided on top. The interchange platform is located between and connected to two roadways of opposite directions on the longitudinal road bridge in the upper level. The leftmost lane along a forward moving direction of vehicle on the bridge in the longitudinal road bridge is defined as a universal lane of the longitudinal road bridge. The rightmost lane along a forward moving direction of vehicle under the bridge in the transverse roadway is defined as a universal lane of the transverse roadway. The interchange platform is connected to four universal lanes.