EP2586019B1 - Method for detecting and warning of drivers driving in the wrong direction, and reporting and warning system for drivers driving in the wrong direction - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for detecting and warning of wrong-way drivers according to claim 1 and a false-driver reporting and warning system according to the preamble of claim 10. From the FR 2 723 239 A1 a device and a method for detecting and warning of wrong-way drivers is known, wherein two detectors are arranged at a short distance from each other on one side of the track section to be monitored. The detection of the passage of the road section takes place here by triggering the sensors. After determining the order of triggering the sensors, the determined sequence is compared with the correct direction of travel and optionally triggered a warning signal.

From the US 4,968,979 A For example, a magnetic field based monitoring method is known.

From the JP 2007-139650 A For example, a method based on a classical radar system that processes the reflections of radio waves is known.

The AT 4 644 U1 describes a device for influencing motor vehicles with a radio receiver for receiving a directed from the outside to the motor vehicle radio signal and a connected to the radio receiver switching device with which the motor vehicle can be shut down or restricted during operation.

In Germany alone, on motorways in particular, several thousand accidents are caused each year by wrong-way drivers (also called "ghost riders"). The consequences of a collision with a wrong-way driver are nowadays usually life-threatening, if not deadly. However, there are currently no active safety precautions or direct warning systems for the road users directly in the danger zone. Although there are traffic area-wide traffic news via the car radio via TMC (Traffic Message Channel). However, the latency of the traffic by the manual alarm routes is much too high. Although there are also a number of proposals in the patent literature, these have so far not found a reason for cost reasons in practice. So is out of the DE 191 26 548 A1 a direction of travel monitoring device known in the roadway transmitter are provided which emit signals that are to be processed by vehicle-side receivers or by an associated with these vehicle-mounted central data processing device at least to warning signals. However, that would be a practical one Implementation of this concept extremely expensive, since all vehicles would need to be equipped with the appropriate receiving and processing units. In addition, wrong trips in deliberate wrong driving by the delivery of a signal to the wrong driver can not be prevented. Therefore, the sees DE 101 26 548 A1 Furthermore, interference in the case of a wrong driving in the on-board electronics, the gasoline supply and / or the ignition coil and / or the engine control and / or the brakes of the respective vehicle before, which would increase the investment even more.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for detecting and warning wrong-way drivers as well as a wrong-way driver reporting and warning system to create, which can be used without special technical and financial effort nationwide with simultaneously highly reliable warning trigger accuracy.

The solution of this object is achieved with regard to the method according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and with respect to the system according to the invention by the features of claim 10.

According to the invention, it is possible to monitor roadway sections to be monitored, such as relevant points on highways or at rest or parking areas or one-way streets, and to initiate warning signals, if the monitoring has revealed that a vehicle against the correct direction of the road section to be monitored enters this.

Roughly, the method according to the invention can be subdivided into the following three phases, which can be realized by the components of the system according to the invention:

1st phase: detection of wrong trips

For example, the guardrails of a lane section to be monitored, such a motorway entrance / exit, radio modules for the detection of wrong trips are permanently installed. These radio modules use the principle of radio shading to detect the drive in the wrong direction. In this case, fluctuations in the reception field strength, due to the passage of the vehicle, detected. A central beacon can in this case fuse the radio field information of all installed beacons of the detection system and thus detect the direction of transit.

2nd phase: local alarm when detected wrong-way

After the detection of a wrong course alarming strategies for affected road users and preferably also the wrong driver in the direct danger area are provided. On the one hand, it is possible to equip the warning beacons with optical warning units. These warning beacons can be distributed over a larger road section and are connected wirelessly, preferably via a so-called "hop-to-hop network" to the detection system. Under such a "hop-to-hop network" means a transfer of information from one beacon to the other, so that even larger distances to the monitored road section with low transmission power can be bridged. In a further expansion level, warning messages can also be sent via the established short-range radio network to local warning units in vehicles, which however is not absolutely necessary for the effectiveness of the method and the system according to the invention and to avoid at least high initial investment.

3rd phase: long-distance traffic warning via mobile radio and radio

By an optional connection of the detection system to the mobile network also a detected wrong-way with low latency can be automatically sent to a traffic control center. From there, warnings can be issued to the road users concerned.

The dependent claims have advantageous developments of the method according to the invention or the Falschfahrer reporting and warning system according to the invention to the content.

For example, the radio modules can include an integrated housing solution with so-called "energy harvesting capabilities", which makes maintenance-free operation without permanent power supply possible.

Furthermore, an integrated detection and communication is cost-effective with minimal energy and installation costs conceivable.

The detection may be independent of the vehicle equipment and the environmental characteristics, that is, it is also a reliable detection of intended wrong trips possible, in particular because there is a clearly described or defined detection range according to the invention.

As previously explained, both local and wide traffic alerts can be issued.

Furthermore, the procedure according to the invention for evaluating shading allows an integrated system without additional sensors. In addition, the basic principle "attenuation / interruption" according to the invention results in the advantage of lower transmission powers.

Finally, there is the advantage that the vehicles themselves are not identified by the method according to the invention, so that no privacy problems occur when using the method according to the invention and the system according to the invention.

The inventive method and the system of the invention are based on a cost-optimized wireless solution in terms of energy consumption. For this purpose, it is possible to use the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for short-range communication, since This standard works in comparison to, for example, WLAN standards with significantly lower transmission power and uses a media access control layer (MAC) optimized for battery operation. IEEE 802.15.4 works with a maximum transmission power of 0 dBm, whereby WLAN uses ten times higher transmission power. The resulting ranges do not differ significantly. Thus, the IEEE 802.15.4 is achieved in the open field at high throughput at a distance of up to 100 m. Another advantage is the small size of the already available modules. The local radio module can be used here for the detection of wrong-way drivers, for internal communication between the brands via a mesh network and also for optional communication between the beacons and a mobile warning unit in the wrong-way driver.

The detection system is preferably capable of performing autarkic detection of wrong-way drivers. The approach is to detect passive objects (i.e., no active users of the radio network) from the influences on the radio field. For this purpose, beacons periodically transmit pilot signals for setting up the radio network. It can be spanned in this way a network of redundant connections.

The number of radio modules to be used can hereby be adapted to the respective location to be monitored, wherein preferably a plurality of bidirectional connections are continuously monitored with a defined time interval. If a vehicle moves through one of the connections, shading occurs. This shadowing causes a weakening of the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), ie the resulting reception field strength. This burglary can be detected reliably if the pilot signals are transmitted in a meaningfully defined interval, so that a compromise between power consumption and detection speed can be found. In this way, it is possible for the system to detect the order of connections with signal strength field fluctuations, thus determining if the vehicle is moving in the correct direction.

To optimize an operating cycle, it is also possible to create a logic software. On the one hand, this logic ensures the correct interpretation of the wrong-way driver detection. On the other hand, the information about the detection can be forwarded to a master module (masterbake), which is able to merge the information of all beacons to create a complete picture. The logic is also used to adjust the operating states.

The preferably provided long-distance communication represents a forwarding of the detected wrong-way to the entire traffic network, but according to the invention is a further technological point of view, which is not necessarily required according to the inventive method and the system according to the invention. However, it is in principle possible to represent such a long-distance communication with the inventive principles, e.g. an integrated UMTS module on the master beacon can take the warning to a traffic control center, which sends a warning to the other road users via the TMC channel. In this case, it is further possible according to the invention to additionally carry out a quick warning to the road users located in the vicinity via a UMTS cell broadcast. This cell broadcast is then receivable by the mobile forwarder warning units in the vehicles and propagated much faster than a manual TMC alert.

Fig. 1, 2A, 2B

schematisch stark vereinfachte Prinzipdarstellungen zur Erläuterung der grundlegenden Komponenten und Funktionsweisen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und des erfindungsgemäßen Systems,

Fig. 3

eine schematisch stark vereinfachte Blockdarstellung einer Masterbake mit dieser in Wirkverbindung stehenden weiteren Komponenten des erfindungsgemäßen Systems,

Fig. 4

eine der Fig. 3 entsprechende Darstellung zur Erläuterung des Konstruktionsprinzips einer optional vorzusehenden mobilen Warneinheit,

Fig. 5-8

Prinzipdarstellungen zur Anbringung von Funkmodulen an Installationen von zu überwachenden Fahrbahnabschnitten wie beispielsweise Leitplanken und/oder Katzenaugen.

Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1, 2A, 2B

schematically greatly simplified schematic diagrams for explaining the basic components and modes of operation of the method and the system according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a schematically greatly simplified block diagram of a masterbake with this operatively connected further components of the system according to the invention,

Fig. 4

one of the Fig. 3 Corresponding illustration to explain the design principle of an optionally provided mobile warning unit,

Fig. 5-8

Schematic diagrams for attaching radio modules to installations of monitored road sections such as crash barriers and / or cat's eyes.

The Fig. 1 and 2A show schematically greatly simplified schematic representations of a possibility of forming a Falschfahrer reporting and warning system 1 according to the invention, the representation of the Fig. 1 may be a motorway entrance / exit.

The roadway section 3 to be monitored in this case is provided with a detection device 2 for the purpose of its monitoring. The lane section 3 has an associated correct direction of travel 4, in the exemplary case thus represents the highway exit. In this exit drives for the purpose of explaining the functional principles according to the invention a wrong-way driver FF with his vehicle against the correct direction of travel 4 a.

The inventive system 1 further comprises a warning device 5, which, as will be described in more detail below, is provided depending on the measurement result of the detection device 2 for emitting at least one warning signal, in the drawing with the reference numerals WS, WS ', WS "and WS '' are identified.

The detection device 2 has a plurality of radio transmitters, in the example case two radio transmitters 6 and 7, on a roadway side 8 of the roadway section 3 to be monitored. The radio transmitter 6 and 7 are in this case, seen in the direction of travel 4, spaced from one another along the roadway side 8. Of course, a larger number of radio transmitters along the roadway side 8 may be provided.

On the opposite side of the roadway 12 to be monitored roadway section 3 is a plurality of radio receivers, in the example three radio receiver 9, 10 and 11, provided, which, seen in the direction of travel 4, are also spaced from each other and for establishing a radio field 13 with at least two Seen in the direction of travel 4, spaced radio field sections 14, 15, 16, 17 are provided by receiving the radio transmitters 6, 7 emitted radio signals. In this case, too, a larger number of radio receivers along the direction of travel 4 on the opposite side of the road 12 can be provided.

Finally, the system 1 according to the invention has an evaluation device 18 (see Fig. 3 ) on.

The radio transmitter 6 and 7 and the radio receiver 10 and 11 are each constructed as identical radio modules. They each comprise a transmitting unit RF which emits pilot signals PS, a reception (detection) unit DT, an optional sensor unit OS and a power supply unit E.

The radio module 9, which forms a master module (master beacon), further comprises a logic unit L and a further transmission unit RF for long-distance traffic. This follows from the representation of Fig. 3 , The radio modules 6, 7, 10 and 11 can work both as a transmitter and as a receiver and accordingly also be arranged alternately on the roadway sides 8 and 12, depending on how the application requires or makes sense.

The master module 9 is used to merge all information and the warning device 5, an external warning center 19 and, if vehicles are provided with corresponding receiving units, both wrong-drive vehicles and vehicles of other participants to inform about detected hazards or to warn them.

As it turned out Fig. 3 For this purpose, the warning center 19 can have TMC, cell broadcast, SMS or application modules for smart phones, via which, as stated, Local warning units 5A, 5B, wrong-way driver FF or other road users can be warned after detecting a wrong-way driver FF.

As stated previously several times, the equipping of vehicles with mobile warning units is not necessarily necessary for the function of the method according to the invention or of the system according to the invention.

In Fig. 4 is a schematically simplified view of such a mobile warning unit 20 is shown, which may have a power supply E, a display unit A, a transmitting / receiving unit RF, a logic module L and a mobile phone MF and a Bluetooth module BT. Thus, the mobile warning unit 20 is based on an equivalent platform as the transmitting and receiving units of the detection device 2.

In the Fig. 5 to 8 Arrangement possibilities for warning devices and / or radio modules are shown. Fig. 5 shows a guardrail 21, in the example, three warning units 5A and 5B are arranged spaced from each other.

Fig. 6 shows a so-called cat's eye 22 that is provided with a warning unit 5A or 5B above the reflector 23.

Fig. 7 again shows cat's eyes 22, which are provided with different plug-fastening devices 24, 25 and 26, which can be inserted into corresponding plug-in receptacles 27 and 28 of a guardrail 21.

Fig. 8 again shows the upper part of a cat's eye 22, which is in this case provided with a radio module, which is representative of all radio modules described previously with the reference numeral 6.

The operation of the method according to the invention for determining and warning of wrong-way drivers FF will be described below with reference to FIG Fig. 1 . 2A . 2 B and 3 explained again.

First, a radio field 13 via the described transmission modules 6, 7 and receiving modules 9, 10 and 11 is constructed over the track section 3 to be monitored away. As can be seen from the synopsis of Fig. 1 and 2A results, at least two, in the example, four, each seen in the direction of travel 4, spaced radio field sections 14, 15, 16 and 17 are formed with associated reception field strengths EFS. This radio field 13 is transmitted by transmitting and receiving pilot signals PS (see Fig. 3 ) of the said modules 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 are constructed and extend substantially transversely to the predetermined correct direction of travel 4 of the roadway section 3.

If a wrong-way driver FF drives into the roadway section 3 to be monitored, which according to the in Fig. 1 is selected representation of the left lane section of a highway entrance or exit, the vehicle of the wrong-way driver FF by a radio shading FASC (see Fig. 2A ), which results in attenuations AS of the reception field strengths EFF of the radio field sections 14 to 17 (see FIG Fig. 2B ).

In this case, the sequence of radio field sections is determined in which an attenuation AS of the respectively assigned reception field strength EFS was detected. In the example shown, the order of the radio-link sections is that of the associated reference numerals 17, 16, 15, 14, which in the comparative method step following thereupon results in a weakening order against the correct direction of travel 4.

In this case, warning signals are initiated which are in Fig. 2A marked with the reference numbers WS, WS ', WS "and WS"'. The warning signal WS is a signal to a local, ie the lane section 3 nearby warning unit 5A. The warning signal WS 'is a signal to a further warning unit 5B. The warning signal WS "is a signal to the in Fig. 2A and 3 The warning signal WS "'is a signal transmitted from the nearby warning unit 5A to the further warning unit 5B according to the hop-to-hop principle.

The warning units 5A and 5B issue visual and / or audible warnings of the road users in traffic alongside the wrong-way driver FF.

As explained above, in particular the warning center 19, but in principle also the radio module 9 as a master module or master beacon warn signals WS _FF to the wrong-way driver FF. As it turned out Fig. 2A results, the warning center 19 can also operate the remotely located warning units WB by the warning signal WS "".

As it turned out Fig. 3 results, the warning center 19 of principle, of course, operate the locally nearby warning units 5A.

In addition to the above written disclosure of the invention is hereby explicitly on their graphic representation in the Fig. 1 . 2A, 2B and 3 to 8 referenced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

False driver reporting and warning system

2

detection device

3

road section

4

correct direction of travel

5

warning device

5A

local warning device

5B

further away warning device

6, 7

radio transmitter

8th

side of the road

9, 10, 11

radio receiver

12

opposite road side

13

radio field

14, 15, 16, 17

spaced radio field sections

18

evaluation

19

warning Center

20

mobile warning unit

21

barrier

22

cat's-eye

23

reflector

24, 25, 26

plugs

27, 28

receptacles

RF

transmission unit

OS

optional sensor

DT

Detection device / receiver

e

energy

WS, WS ", WS" ', WS ""

Warning signals

WS _FF

Warning signal to the wrong-way driver FF

AS

radio screening

EFS

Reception field strength

Claims (14)

1. Method for detecting and warning against wrong-way drivers (FF), wherein for establishing a radio field (13) a plurality of radio transmitters (6, 7) at a roadway side (8) of the roadway section (3) to be monitored are arranged spaced apart with each other when viewed in driving direction (4), and a plurality of radio receivers (9, 10, 11) for receiving the radio signals emitted by the radio transmitters (6, 7) are arranged spaced apart with each other when viewed in driving direction at the opposite roadway side (12) of the roadway section (3) to be monitored, comprising the following method steps:

   (a) establishing the radio field (13) over the roadway section (3) to be monitored and at least substantially transversely to a predetermined correct driving direction (4) of the roadway section (3), the radio field (13) having at least two radio field sections (14, 15, 16, 17) that are spaced apart when viewed in the driving direction (4) and have associated reception field strengths (EFS);

   (b) detecting attenuations (AS) of the reception field strengths (EFS) of the radio field sections (14-17) that occur due to radio shadowing (FASC) during driving through the roadway section (3);

   (c) determining the sequence of the radio field sections (14-17 or 17-14) in which an attenuation (AS) of the respectively associated reception field strengths (EFS) has been detected;

   (d) comparing the determined attenuation sequence (14-17 or 17-14) with the correct driving direction (4); and

   (e) initiating at least one warning signal (WS; WS'; WS"; WS"'; WS"") if the attenuation sequence (17-14) runs opposite to the correct driving direction (4).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for the determination of the attenuation sequence (14-17 or 17-14) periodic pilot signals (PS) are emitted for establishing the radio field (13) or the radio field sections (14-17) thereof.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that pilot signals (PS) are periodically emitted at defined intervals.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the radio field (13) is established on the basis of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard optionally in the 2.4 GHz or 800 MHz band.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the warning signal (W) is emitted to all traffic participants in the direct vicinity of the roadway section (3) to be monitored.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the warning signal (WS', WS"') is also emitted to more distant traffic participants, especially via intermediate signal-transmission stations.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one warning signal (WS_FF) is additionally emitted to the wrong-way driver (FF).
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the warning signal output is carried out in an optical and/or acoustic manner.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the traffic-participant warning signal (WS") is also output to a traffic control center (19).
10. A wrong-way driver (FF) reporting and warning system (1)

    - comprising a detection device (2) for monitoring a roadway section (3) with associated correct driving direction (4); and

    - comprising a warning device (5) which can be actuated in response to the measurement result of the detection device (2) for outputting at least one warning signal (WS; WS'; WS"), characterized in

    - that the detection device (2) comprises the following components:

    • a plurality of radio transmitters (6, 7) which are arranged at a roadway side (8) of the roadway section (3) to be monitored in spaced-apart relationship with one another when viewed in the driving direction (4);

    • a plurality of radio receivers (9, 10, 11) which are arranged at the opposite roadway side (12) of the roadway section (3) to be monitored in spaced-apart relationship with one another when viewed in the driving direction (4), and which are provided for establishing a radio field (13) with at least two radio field sections (14, 15, 16, 17), which are spaced apart when viewed in driving direction (4), by receiving the radio signals emitted by the radio transmitters (6, 7); and

    • an evaluation device (18) for determining the sequence (14-17 or 17-14) of the occurrence of reception field strength attenuations (AS) of the radio field sections (14-17) of the radio field (13).
11. The wrong-way driver (FF) reporting and warning system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the radio transmitters (6, 7) and the radio receivers (9, 10, 11) are configured as radio modules, each comprising transmitting and receiving units.
12. The wrong-way driver (FF) reporting and warning system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by a mobile warning unit (20) which is installable in vehicles.
13. The wrong-way driver (FF) reporting and warning system (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the warning device (5) comprises warning units (5A, 5B) which are installable in guard rails (21) and/or cats' eyes (22).
14. The wrong-way driver (FF) reporting and warning system (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the radio modules (6, 7, 9, 10, 11) are provided with an independent energy supply (E).

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