U.S. patent application number 12/807676 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-07 for reflective roadway warning system indicating incorrect vehicular travel direction.
Invention is credited to Scott Croce.
Application Number | 20110081201 12/807676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43823296 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110081201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Croce; Scott |
April 7, 2011 |
Reflective roadway warning system indicating incorrect vehicular
travel direction
Abstract
A plurality of reflector devices each having a reflective
element, the reflector devices embeddable in the roadway of an off
ramp, or in the curbing of an off ramp, and/or in the guardrails
adjacent an off ramp or other one way street, the reflector warning
system providing a visible alarm or alert to a driver in day or
night conditions or low visibility that the driver has mistakenly
or inadvertently turned his vehicle onto and is proceeding up an
off ramp or other road way to another intersecting highway, and as
such will encounter oncoming opposing traffic such that the driver
can stop, reverse, and correct the mistake. The reflector devices
embedded in the roadway depending upon their spacing will also
provide a significantly tactile feedback to the driver that he is
proceeding in the wrong direction by causing a vibration to the
tires which is transmittable to the steering wheel.
Inventors: |
Croce; Scott; (E. Brunswick,
NJ) |
Family ID: |
43823296 |
Appl. No.: |
12/807676 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61278005 |
Oct 2, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/529 20160201;
E01F 9/553 20160201; E01F 13/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/16 |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/06 20060101
E01F009/06 |
Claims
1. A reflective roadway warning system providing visual and tactile
warning indications to a driver that the vehicle is proceeding in
an incorrect traffic lane, said reflective roadway warning system
comprising: a plurality of housings, each housing having a lower
road engaging surface, an upper bifurcated surface, having a first
rearward facing member, and a second forward facing member forming
an obtuse angle with each other, said first member and said second
member forming an acute angle with said lower surface, and two
opposing side walls, said second member of said upper bifurcated
surface forming an acute angle with said lower surface, said acute
angle greater than said acute angle formed by said second member of
said upper bifurcated surface and said lower surface, said second
member of said upper bifurcated surface having positioned thereon a
reflective warning element, said second member of said upper
bifurcated surface having a height sufficient to impart a jolt to a
wheel of a vehicle passing over said housing in a direction from
said second member toward said first member of said bifurcated
upper surface.
2. The reflective roadway warning system in accordance with claim 1
wherein said reflective element has a text indicia imprinted
thereon warning of said incorrect travel direction.
3. The reflective roadway warning system in accordance with claim 1
wherein each of said housings is secured to said roadway in a
special pattern so as to sequentially engage the wheels of a
vehicle to provide tactile sensation to the driver.
4. The reflective roadway warning system in accordance with claim 1
wherein said housing of said reflective roadway warning systems are
fabricated from recycled tires.
5. The reflective roadway warning system in accordance with claim 1
wherein said acute angle formed by said first member of said upper
bifurcated surface and said lower surface is insufficient so as not
to impart any tactile sensation to a vehicle wheel passing over
said housing from said first member toward said second member of
said upper bifurcated surface.
6. The reflective warning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said housing has a pair of angled spaced apart legs extending
outwardly from said second forward facing member on either side of
said reflective warning element.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser.
No. 61/278,005, filed Oct. 2, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to roadway intersections and
vehicular traffic, and in particular to a permanent or portable
warning system providing visual and harsh tactile feedback to a
driver that the driver is mistakenly proceeding in a traffic lane
dedicated to traffic traveling in the opposing direction.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Drivers of vehicles encounter various traffic patterns every
time they are behind the wheel. In many instances, one of these
driving patterns is a one way street in an urban area, or perhaps a
one way lane in a multi-story parking structure. Still further,
various roadways as interstate highways are divided and have a
plurality of on and off ramps for access thereto. The one thing in
common with all of these one lane roadways, lanes, or the like, is
that they eventually intersect with another roadway which may or
may not be one way, but which allows a driver and vehicle on that
intersecting roadway the possibility of entering the one way
roadway or street either correctly or against opposing traffic.
[0006] Applicant's invention has application to all of these
situations where one encounters a one way road, street, or
thoroughfare or private lane. It has particular safety implications
with respect to on/off ramps associated with limited access,
multi-lane divided highways. Therefore, while Applicant's invention
will be described with particular attention to the on/off ramps, it
will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that
Applicant's invention can also be utilized and installed with
respect to one way streets, avenues, or lanes, and as temporary or
permanent speed deterrents at accident scenes, or vulnerable
streets. The intersection of roadways present a variety of
different traffic control mechanisms to control the flow and
turning of traffic. A simply rural intersection of two, two lane
roads may present opposing stop signs on one of the roads, possibly
a 4-way stop, or further possibly a yellow blinking light, or red
blinking light, or perhaps a stop light signal (red, green,
yellow). In urban areas, the use of stop signs and full traffic
light signals (red, green, yellow) are more commonplace.
[0007] The intersection of major roadways such as interstate
highways, are normally constructed with large, sweeping on and off
ramps to control the flow of traffic and allow the drivers to
change interstates, and change directions without interrupting the
flow of traffic. These types of intersections are commonly referred
to as cloverleafs, and the long sweeping ramps are designed to
guide vehicles from one interstate roadway to another interstate
roadway, and into the direction which the driver wishes to proceed.
These long sweeping ramps are normally designed to allow the
vehicles to merge off of one interstate, follow the long sweeping
ramp, and merge into the intersection interstate in the direction
which the driver wishes to travel. Due to their merging qualities,
it is very difficult for a driver to mistakenly proceed in the
wrong direction up an off ramp and into opposing traffic.
[0008] However, there are many intersections where the off ramp and
the on ramp connecting a secondary street to a major highway are
adjacent to each other and these type of ramps require the driver
to make a 90 degree turn from the secondary street onto the
respective on ramp in order to gain access to the major
thoroughfare. As previously stated, in many instances, this on ramp
is immediately adjacent the off ramp which intersects the secondary
road and which off ramp requires a vehicle exiting the major
highway to come to a stop at a "T" intersection before
proceeding.
[0009] In normal daylight hours and in normal traffic conditions, a
driver can usually visually discern the difference between an off
ramp and an on ramp because of the high volume of traffic and its
direction of flow. However, in times of low traffic volume or
decreased visibility such as at night, or in situations where the
driver is unfamiliar with the territory or becomes confused and
disoriented, it is very possible and has frequently occurred that
such a driver will make a 90 degree turn onto the off ramp as
opposed to the on ramp, and proceed in this direction in opposition
to the correct flow of traffic and may not realize the mistake
which has been made until the errant driver is facing head on
traffic with possible calamitous results.
[0010] These T-intersection off ramps and on ramps are most often
marked with a sign on the off ramp which indicates to the driver
that if the driver has turned into the off ramp, he is proceeding
the wrong way. As previously stated during periods of high volume
traffic and day light hours, such a sign may be easily seen or the
off ramp may be easily discerned from the flow of traffic. However,
at night, in times of low traffic volume or low visibility, these
wrong way signs are often overlooked or not seen.
[0011] There therefore has been a need for a warning system which
is inexpensive and which can be established in the off ramp roadway
or adjacent thereto to provide a visual and tactile indicator to a
driver that he has mistakenly positioned his vehicle in a lane
which will place him in opposition to oncoming traffic. Such a
system would immediately warn the driver of the situation so as to
cause the driver to correct the mistake without proceeding onto
what could become a dangerous or life threatening situation for the
driver as well as for oncoming traffic. Applicant's device would
provide such a visual and uncomfortably tactile indicator and
depending upon the size and spacing of Applicant's device, would
also provide a tactile indicator causing a tire impact
transmittable to the steering wheel.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel
visual and tactile warning system for embodiment in the center of
the roadway and random placement in the roadway of an off ramp or
positioned adjacent the roadway in the curb or guard rail, which
provides a visual and disturbingly tactile warning to a driver that
the driver is proceeding in a direction where he will encounter
opposing traffic.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide for a
novel warning system which is easily installed and requires minimal
upkeep.
[0014] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel warning system for a driver proceeding a wrong
way against traffic which will immediately notify the driver of his
mistake and allow him to correct the situation.
[0015] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel warning system for a driver proceeding a wrong
way against traffic which will tactilely warn the driver of his
mistake as the wheels of his vehicle encounter the warning devices
and transmit an uncomfortable impact to the steering wheel.
[0016] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel warning device which may be permanently
implanted preferably into the roadway, or curb, or adjacent
guardrail to warn a driver that he is traveling in the wrong
direction on a ramp.
[0017] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel warning system which is portable and which may
be disbursed by police departments or construction crews to
transmit a visual and/or tactile warning to drivers passing through
a construction site or possible accident scene.
[0018] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide the vertical, or near vertical, section of the speed bump
with a highly reflective surface, and the word "STOP" in reflective
red bold letters against this reflective surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A plurality of reflector devices each having a reflective
element, the reflector devices embeddable in the roadway of an off
ramp, or in the curbing of an off ramp, and/or in the guardrails
adjacent an off ramp or other one way street, the reflector warning
system providing a visible alarm or alert to a driver in day or
night conditions or low visibility that the driver has mistakenly
or inadvertently turned his vehicle onto and is proceeding up an
off ramp or other road way to another intersecting highway, and as
such will encounter oncoming opposing traffic such that the driver
can stop, reverse, and correct the mistake. The reflector devices
embedded in the roadway depending upon their spacing will also
provide a significantly tactile feedback to the driver that he is
proceeding in the wrong direction by causing a severe jolting to
the tires which is transmittable to the steering wheel, causing the
driver to reduce speed and determine that the vehicle is proceeding
in the wrong direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following
illustrations wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical roadway intersection in
which the on ramps and off ramps of a major thoroughfare intersect
with a secondary road at a T-intersection, which type of
intersection presents the problems addressed herein;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side cross-section view of a reflector device of
a warning system of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of a reflector device of the warning
system of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of a reflector device of the warning
system of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an off ramp of FIG. 1
illustrating the alternative placements of the warning system
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
reflector device of the warning system designed to be embedded in a
roadway; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roadway incorporating the
reflector element of the warning system of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the typical roadway
intersection which involves the use of on ramps and off ramps and
which is exemplary of the situation which Applicant's invention
would solve.
[0029] In the FIG. 1 hypothetical situation, a major thoroughfare
10 traverses north to south with a central divider 12 and multiple
lanes in both the north direction 14 and the south direction 16. A
secondary road 20 traverses east/west, and is an undivided highway
having at least one lane 21 and 22 in each direction but possibly
multiple lanes in each direction with centrally disposed turn
lanes. Engineers and planners wish to provide a means for traffic
on the secondary roadway 20 to ingress the major overhead
thoroughfare 10 traversing north/south. This is typically done with
a plurality of on and off ramps. In the present situation, people
on the secondary road traveling either east or west, and wishing to
enter the southbound roadway 16 of the major thoroughfare 10 would
either make a right turn if traveling east, or a left turn if
traveling west, at location A in order to enter the on ramp 24 to
the south bound lane 16.
[0030] Traffic on the secondary road 20 wishing to enter the
northbound lane 14 of the major thoroughfare 10 would make either a
left hand turn if traveling west, or a right hand turn if traveling
east onto on ramp 26 at C in order to access the northbound lane 14
of major thoroughfare 10.
[0031] Those vehicles traveling on major thoroughfare 10 in either
the north or south direction may wish to exit major thoroughfare 10
in order to access secondary road 20. The traffic in the southbound
lane 16 is accomplished by an off ramp 28 which directs traffic off
of the southbound lane 16 and down to a T-intersection B with
secondary road 20. The T-intersection B will result in a full stop
for the exiting vehicle and possibly a response to a traffic
control device before proceeding.
[0032] Northbound traffic 14 on the major thoroughfare 10 would
have a more direct exit ramp 30 allowing the vehicle to merge off
to the right side of the northbound lane 14 and enter the off ramp
30 again ending in a T-intersection D with the secondary road, the
vehicle being subject to a full stop and possible traffic control
mechanisms such as lights.
[0033] The particular traffic pattern described works well for
individuals familiar with the intersection, and familiar with the
traffic patterns. It may present some problems to the uninitiated,
but these are easily alleviated, particularly in daylight hours
when one can observe the flow of traffic and determine which
streets are one way and which streets are opposing directions.
[0034] However, the situation presents dangerous consequences in
times of low traffic volume, low visibility, darkness, and
inclement weather, coupled with the driver's possible unfamiliarity
with the area or inattention. In such a situation, a car traveling
west on secondary road 20 or a car traveling east on secondary road
20 wishing to enter either the northbound or southbound lanes of
the major overhead thoroughfare 10, may miss the on ramp entrances
24 and 26 and mistakenly turn into what are the off ramps 28 and 30
from the major thoroughfare 10. Normally there would be a sign at
the intersection of these off ramps 28 and 30 with the secondary
road at locations B and D which would warn the driver with the
admonition "WRONG WAY". However, at night, in low visibility
situations, in low traffic volume situations, and in situations
where the driver is not completely familiar with the traffic
patterns, those drivers on the east/west secondary road 20 may
mistakenly make a turn into the off ramp 28 and 30 of the major
thoroughfare 10 and find themselves heading directly into oncoming
traffic, if not on the off ramp 28 and 30, on the major
thoroughfare 10 once they merge into the lane heading in the wrong
direction and into opposing traffic.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates but one traffic pattern in which the
dangerous situation which Applicant seeks to address could occur.
It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, that
the apparatus described herein, can have application to any traffic
pattern or situation in which a particular road, street, lane or
pattern is designed for one way direction traffic, and Applicant's
apparatus would serve as a visual and physical alarm and alert to a
vehicle who had mistakenly entered such a one way thoroughfare in
the wrong direction.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the reflector
device 50 of the warning system of the present invention, FIG. 3 is
a top view, and FIG. 4 is a front view. The reflector device 50
includes a housing member 52 preferably of solid one piece
construction of either high density polymer or metal or of recycled
tires. The housing member 52 includes a base wall 54, and an
acutely angled top wall 56 which intersects with base wall 54 and
sidewalls 55 and 57. Front wall 58 defines a recessed slot 60
within which a reflective element 62 is positioned and maintained,
either by an adhesive on its rear wall 64, or by means of
overlapping lips 66 and 68 integrally formed with the housing
member 52. The reflector device 50 is illustrated in FIG. 2 is
positioned on a roadway 28 or 30. The normal flow of traffic on
roadway 28 or 30 is indicated by the arrow 70. The reflector
devices 50 are positioned in the roadway such that they present
little obstruction or resistance to the flow of traffic in that its
acutely angled upper face provides a non-resistant path to a
vehicle tire, should a vehicle tire pass over the reflector device
50. The reflective element 62, is not visible to traffic traveling
on the roadway in the correct direction. The reflective element 62
is visible only to vehicles which mistakenly enter the roadway
heading in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 70, and
since the multiplicity and placement cause bumping and shock, the
reflective element 62 and reflector device 50 provides a visual and
physical alarm in the form of wheel impact to alert to the driver
that he is traveling in the wrong direction on this particularly
roadway.
[0037] The reflector device 50 can be secured to the roadway in one
of many various procedures. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom
wall 54 of the housing member, is formed with a plurality of
depending legs 72 and 74 which can be physically embedded into the
macadam or concrete roadway. Alternatively, the housing member
could be secured to the surface of the roadway by means of an
adhesive layer 76, or the adhesive layer could be used in
combination with the depending legs 72 and 74.
[0038] In one embodiment, the multiple numbers of reflector devices
50 could be positioned and/or embedded in the roadway, in the
middle of the roadway, providing an errant driver with a straight
line of reflective elements 62. However, the reflector devices 50
could be placed in the roadway in the random manner, as illustrated
in FIG. 5. The reflector devices 50 could also be positioned in the
roadway in locations to unmistakably optimize their possibility of
being in the tire path of an errant vehicle. In this situation the
errant vehicle is subjected not only to a visual alarm, but a
sudden physical alarm as the wheels of the vehicle are engaging the
reflector devices 50 on its forward more angular face whereas
traffic falling in the correct direction would engage the shallower
angle of the rear face (see FIG. 5).
[0039] As an alternative or supplemental placement of the reflector
devices 50, they may be installed on the curbs 80 which define the
edges of the roadway 28. In FIG. 5 the reflector devices 50 are
illustrated as being secured to the inner vertical wall 82 of the
curb or on the top horizontal surface 84 of the curb. Since most
headlights on vehicles are biased toward the right hand curb,
reflector devices 50 mounted thereon would supplement those
positioned in the roadway.
[0040] Finally, if the roadway in question were protected by a
guardrail 90, the reflector devices 50 could also be secured to the
road facing surface of the guardrail 90. The positioning on the
guardrail could be achieved by the adhesive as used on the roadway
or curbs, or alternatively, the depending legs of housing member 52
could be threaded so as to pass through apertures in the guardrail
and be secured by a threaded nut or fastener on the reverse side as
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0041] In all instances, the reflector device 50 would be installed
in the same orientation as described with respect to FIGS. 2, 3,
and 4, such that a driver traveling in the correct direction on the
roadway would not see the reflective element and would thus proceed
as normal. The driver and vehicle that had mistakenly entered the
roadway traveling in the wrong direction would immediately be
subject to the reflection of the reflective element 62 and if
mounted in the roadway, a tire impact alerting the driver he had
mistakenly or errantly entered a one way street or ramp in the
wrong direction.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
reflector device 50A of the present invention. The reflector device
is similar to that of the warning element or reflector device
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, in that it includes a housing
member 52A including a base wall 54A, an acutely angled top wall
56A which intersects with base wall 54A and sidewalls 55A and 57A,
and a front wall 58A defining a recessed slot 60A for receipt of a
reflective element 62A. Extending forwardly from front wall 58A are
a pair of angled leg members 92 which taper from broad to narrow as
they extend from the front wall 58A. These legs would be utilized
in a warning or reflector device which was deployed in geographical
areas which experience substantial snowfall. In such areas snow
plowing operations most oftentimes proceed in the normal direction
of traffic and thus the blade of a plow would easily pass over the
acutely angled top wall 56 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2
through 4, however, oftentimes in the interest of expediting
removal, snow plows will move in a direction opposite to traffic.
The extended tapered legs 92 would protect the reflector device in
such a situation and condition.
[0043] It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art
that there is no dimensional limits as to the size of the reflector
devices. They are designed to be deployed on limited roadways and
do not necessarily have to extend for the length of the roadway.
The height of the front wall 58 or 58A need only be sufficient so
as to include a reflective element. This could be accomplished with
the height of one inch, however, if one wished to impart not only
the visual warning, but the tactile warning, a height of between 2
and 3 inches would be optimum. Further, the reflective element can
vary in color or be a standardized color or reflective foil, and
may also be designed or cut to present an indicia such as the word
"stop" or other suitable warning.
[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a layout of reflector devices 50 or 50A
on the roadway ramp in such a manner that it will impart the impact
to the tires of the vehicle and hence to the steering wheel. The
arrangement insures that each of the tires of the vehicle
independently encounters a warning device thus imparting a severe
jolt or rocking sensation to the vehicle providing a tactile
warning in addition to the visual warning that the driver is
proceeding in a direction opposing traffic.
[0045] The reflector device of the present invention, either
embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, can be fabricated from any suitable
material which will stand up to the rigors of having automobile
tires passing over it on a regular basis. Therefore steel, or a
high density polymer, or other suitable metal may be utilized in
the fabrication. Additionally, the housing may also be fabricated
from recycled tires which have been ground to a small particle size
and used as a filler with a solid plastic, as nylon.
[0046] Still further, in the preferred embodiment in which the
reflector devices are positioned on the roadway, the front wall 58
or 58A in either embodiment should be slightly angled resulting in
a slight angle of the reflector element. This allows for a
self-cleaning effect of the reflector element during periods of
rain.
[0047] Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed
with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly
intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the
equivalence thereof.
* * * * *