EP3319859A1

EP3319859A1 - Road user warning method and device for use in a rail vehicle, using sound signals or light signals

Info

Publication number: EP3319859A1
Application number: EP16758161.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian Preis; Bernhard KNEIDINGER
Original assignee: Siemens AG Oesterreich
Current assignee: Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH
Priority date: 2015-09-08
Filing date: 2016-08-30
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Also published as: AT517657A1; AT517657B1; WO2017042044A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, for use in a rail vehicle (1), for warning road users (4) by means of sound signals or light signals, comprising the following steps: capturing the position data of other road users (4) by means of sensors (6, 7), determining an at least two-stage collision probability for each other road user (4) from the position data, determining a warning level for each other road user (4), emitting an acoustic or optical signal corresponding to the particular warning level.

Description

description

Method and device for warning road users of a rail vehicle by means of sound or light signals.

Technical area

The invention relates to a method and a device warning of road users for a rail vehicle by means of sound or light signals.

State of the art

Rail vehicles are equipped with acoustic warning devices, such as horns, horns, bells, etc. by means of which other road users can be warned. Likewise, they are equipped with optical lighting devices (three-light

Top signal or the like) equipped, which a

Detection of a rail vehicle already over larger

To allow distances. The acoustic

Warning devices are operated by the driver and are characterized in part, especially in full tracks by very high volume. This high volume leads to high sound entry into the driver's compartment, which in extreme cases can lead to conflicts with relevant occupational safety laws. Furthermore, these warning devices have a very little bundled Schallabstrahlcharakteristik, whereby a majority of the sound energy is not directed to the target and thereby the effective range of the warning device is reduced. In vehicles for traffic within the urban area significantly quieter warning devices are provided, such as bells or ringing at Trams. Those submitted by these institutions

Signals are often too quiet to be perceived in the general traffic scene. Likewise, the too far reduces

Radiation characteristic the effective range. Because the

Triggering of all acoustic warning devices by the

Driver, it is up to him to observe the traffic so that potential conflicts are detected and the road users are warned in time.

In particular, when driving on structurally not separated from the road rail lines or plugging with

Pedestrian traffic (trams in pedestrian areas) requires permanently necessary concentration. A

Support of the driver by the vehicle side

Facilities is not known from the prior art.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method and a device for warning road users for a rail vehicle by means of sound or light signals, which causes an automatic emission of sound or light signals.

The task is performed by a procedure with the characteristics

Claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments are

Subject of subordinate claims.

According to the basic idea of the invention, a method for warning road users of a rail vehicle by means of sound or light signals is described which comprises the following method steps:

Detecting the position data of other road users by means of sensors, - Determining an at least two-stage

Collision probability for each further

Road users from the position data,

- Determine a warning level for each additional one

Road users,

- Delivering the respective degree of warning corresponding acoustic or optical signal.

As a result, the advantage can be achieved automatically the one

Locate rail vehicle surrounding other road users, their respective

Collision probability with the rail vehicle

to be able to determine and deliver adapted to this collision probability optical or acoustic signals. In this way, the driver can be assisted in his duties, as the monitoring of the track

automatically done.

Likewise, the invention can be used automatically

Rail vehicles are used, which drive on a non-separate from the rest of traffic or not intersection-free rail network.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a device for warning road users for a rail vehicle by optical and acoustic signaling devices, wherein sensors are provided, which for the detection of

Position data of other road users are set up and which transmit them to a control device, wherein the control means comprises computing means for determining an at least two-stage collision probability and a warning level for each other road users from these position data and wherein the control means for controlling the optical and acoustic Signaling devices comprises and the optical and acoustic signaling devices in

Depend on the respective degree of warning different signals.

According to the invention, sensors are provided, which the

Enter position data of other road users. For this purpose, all known sensor types of image recognition,

for example, optical cameras for visible light,

Thermal imaging cameras (infrared cameras) or laser sensors

be used. It is particularly advantageous to use laser sensors, as such in a measuring process in addition to the outlines and the position relative to the track and the

Distance of the other road user to the

Rail vehicle can be determined because laser sensors can determine a three-dimensional image of the vehicle environment.

From the thus obtained position data (relative azimuth, elevation and distance to the rail vehicle) of the other road users is in a

Control device an at least two-stage

Collision probability calculated. For example, the collision probability of an object located directly on the track at a great distance, which has no airspeed of its own, is 100%; however, for an object just leaving the driveway in the immediate vicinity, the collision probability is 0%.

Road users who approach the driveway,

For example, cruising vehicles depending on

Distance, speed and speed of the

Rail vehicle each one different

Collision probability on. In a further development of the invention is a classification of the detected other road users in certain

Categories provided. In particular, the are

Road users in humans, animals and objects

(Vehicles) divided.

The control device continuously determines a respective collision probability for the additional road users detected by the sensors and determines therefrom as well as from the optional categorization each an adequate warning degree. Each alert level corresponds to a particular acoustic signal alone or in combination with a particular optical signal.

Here are the optical and acoustic

Signaling devices designed radiated signals in their intensity or their waveform or their direction of emission as a function of the respective degree of warning. For example, for the warning of a person in

In the immediate vicinity of the rail vehicle, a quiet but distinctive warning sound is sufficient, but a very loud sound is required for an animal at some distance on the track.

The delivery of the acoustic signals by means of on

Rail vehicle arranged speakers, horns,

Ringing or bells. The delivery of the optical signals by means of the rail vehicle arranged strongly directed light source, in particular a headlight or a flashlamp. In this case, the light source automatically supported by power, in particular rotatably arranged become. Furthermore, the directivity (bundling) of the

Light cones can be changed automatically,

For example, by means of a presettable by the control device variable focal length of the lamp associated with the lens.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides to emit the acoustic signals by means of strong focusing parametric ultrasound speakers. These loudspeakers make it possible to radiate sound extremely concentrated in the audible frequency range, with the sound itself being generated by means of ultrasound. The specific design of these speakers makes it possible to perceive the sound event only from a certain distance from the sound source, but not in the immediate vicinity of the sound source. In such a way, the sound entry into the reduced

Rail vehicle considerably. Furthermore, bystanders are considerably less disturbed than with the use of conventional warning devices.

The strong bundling of ultrasound speakers

emitted sound due to a power assisted movable arrangement on the rail vehicle, so that specific other road users can be addressed. For this purpose, the control device determines the respectively required setting from the position data of the other road user

(Azimuth) of the movement device of the ultrasonic speaker and controls it accordingly.

In addition or as an alternative to providing a

Movement device can also be a plurality of

Ultrasonic speakers are provided, each for the sonication of a certain angular range around the

Vehicle front are designed. In this embodiment, the control device initiates the signal to be reproduced those ultrasound loudspeakers in whose emission range the other road user to be warned was recognized.

In a further development of the invention, it is recommended to use ultrasonic loudspeakers whose

Abstrahlcharakteristik, in particular the radiation angle is changed by suitable electrical control in a wide range. As a result, complex movement or rotating devices for the speakers can be omitted.

In a further development of the invention, it is recommended that the control device with an interface to a

Equip vehicle control over which a braking triggering signal is transmitted to the vehicle control. As a result, the advantage can be achieved, a braking even without intervention of the driver and without trackside

Provide facilities to be able to trigger. The braking is triggered by the control device when the collision probability with another

Road user exceeds a certain value.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides to provide the control device with an interface to an input-output device. On the one hand, commands can be transmitted to the control device via this interface, which cause the manual triggering of a signal. On the other hand, the interface for optical representation of the positions of the other via this interface

Road users required data to be transmitted. Here is the rail vehicle with a suitable

To equip input device, by means of which the

Driver can trigger certain signals and

optionally also determine their emission direction. On the other hand, the rail vehicle may be equipped with an output device by means of which the vehicle driver can be represented by the detected further road users. For example, screens, inserts in a windscreen (head-up display) or data glasses can be used. The driver is thus the other detected by the sensors and the control device and possibly classified

Road users presented. The driver can be warned early against potential conflicts with these road users.

In a further development of the invention, it is recommended that the sound pressure of the sound signals to be delivered in

Determine the dependence of the ambient noise level. This is by a microphone, which receives the sound pressure outside the vehicle (ambient sound pressure) and a

Control device by time averaging

To determine ambient noise level and to determine from this measurement a target sound pressure for the respective acoustic signal to be delivered. In this way, the advantage can be achieved to be able to realize a warning intensity adapted to the respective environment, in which the sound signal can be reliably heard, but does not represent excessive annoyance. For example, in quiet environments, especially too

At night a quieter sound output is sufficient. This is also advantageous for all other sound emission devices of a rail vehicle (eg an acoustic door closing warning), which also need not work with high sound pressure in quiet environments. Brief description of the drawings

They show by way of example:

Fig.l rail vehicle and other road users.

Fig.2 means for warning road users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows, by way of example and schematically, a rail vehicle and other road users. It is shown the principle underlying the invention. A rail vehicle 1 runs on a route on which is to be expected with passenger traffic, such as a tram in one

Pedestrian zone. Two road users 4, in shown

Example two persons are in immediate

Environment in front of the front side of the rail vehicle 1 in

Driving direction and represent potential conflict possibilities. Both road users 4 move from the perspective of the driver of the rail vehicle 1 from left to right. In this case, the closer the rail vehicle 1

Road users 4 no more risk of a collision, because he is very close, but has already left the track. However, the further road user 4 has a direction of movement towards the track and represents a detected conflict. There is thus a non-zero collision probability and the control device 5 determines an adequate warning level. A signal corresponding to the warning level is then transmitted through one of the acoustic signaling devices 5

reproduced, if necessary, additionally a braking is triggered automatically. The sensors required for detection are not shown for ease of illustration. The same thing Rationale also applies to other types of

Road users, such as motor vehicles application.

FIG. 2 shows, by way of example and schematically, a device for warning road users. It is based on one

Block diagram means for warning

Road users presented which a

Control device 5 comprises. To detect more

Road users 4 are provided by way of example with a camera 7 and a sensor 6, which transmit their respective data to the control device 5. The warning of the other road users takes place via two acoustic

Signaling devices 2 and optical

Signaling devices 3. The acoustic

Signaling devices 2 can also be embodied as parametric loudspeakers, with an emission direction being transmitted by the control device 5 in addition to the audio signal to be reproduced. For interaction with a driver is an input device 11th

provided by means of which manually determined signals can be output via the signaling devices 2.3. Furthermore, an output device 12 is provided, which displays the information transmitted to it by the control device 5 optically and / or acoustically to the vehicle driver. A microphone 10 is connected to the control device 5 via which the driver voice announcements over the

can emit acoustic signaling devices 2. The control device 5 comprises a latch 8, which via the acoustic and optical

Signaling devices 2.3 to be reproduced signals, such as certain sounds or sound light

Combinations stored readable stores. Furthermore, the control device 5 is connected to an interface Vehicle control 9 equipped, via which the control device 5 data on the current operating state of the rail vehicle 1, for example, the current

Driving speed can be transmitted. In the direction of the vehicle control 9, the control device 5 transmits

Signals in the presence of a certain degree of warning a signal which causes a braking of the rail vehicle 1.

List of terms

1 rail vehicle

2 Acoustic signaling device

3 Optical signaling device

4 road users

5 control device

6 sensor

7 camera

8 signal detectors

9 vehicle control

10 microphone

11 input device

12 output device

Claims

claims

A method for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) by means of sound or

Light signals with the following process steps:

- Capture the position data of others

Road users (4) by means of sensors (6,7),

- Determining an at least two-stage

Collision probability for each further

Road users (4) from the position data,

- Determine a warning level for each additional one

Road users (4),

2. A method for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that at a certain

Warning level additionally a braking triggering

Signal to a vehicle control (9) is delivered.

Method for warning road users (4) of a rail vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2,

characterized in that the respective

Warning level corresponding acoustic or optical signal directed to the respective road user (4) is emitted.

Method for warning road users (4) of a rail vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that a classification of registered road users (4) and this classification is carried out together with the

Collision probability of each

Road user to determine the degree of warning is used.

Method for warning road users (4) of a rail vehicle (1) according to Claim 4,

characterized in that the classification takes place in the categories of human, animal and object.

Method for warning road users (4) of a rail vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that by means of a microphone, the ambient sound pressure is determined and from this measurement of the ambient sound pressure, a target sound pressure, the acoustic signal to be emitted is determined.

Device for warning road users (4) of a rail vehicle (1), comprising optical and acoustic signaling devices (2, 3),

characterized in that

Sensors (6,7) are provided which are adapted to detect position data of other road users (4) and which this to a

Transfer control device (5), wherein the

Control device (5) calculating means for determining an at least two-stage collision probability and a warning level for each other

Road user (4) from these position data comprises and wherein the control device (5) means for controlling the optical and acoustic Signaling devices (2,3) and the optical and acoustic signaling devices (2,3) thereby emit different signals depending on the respective degree of warning.

8. Device for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to claim 7,

characterized in that the sensors (6,7) are designed as a radar sensor or as a camera or as a thermal imaging camera or as a laser sensor.

9. Device for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 6 or 8, characterized in that the of the optical and acoustic signaling devices

(2,3) radiated signals in their intensity or their waveform or their direction of emission in

Dependent on the respective warning level are designed.

10. A device for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the control device (5) comprises an interface to a vehicle control (9) and in the presence of a certain degree of warning additionally emits a braking triggering signal to the vehicle control (9).

11. Device for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 7 to

9, characterized in that the control device (5) comprises an interface to an input-output device (11,12), via which the manual triggering a signal can be executed and to the optical representation of the positions of the other

Road users (4) required data are transferable.

12. Device for warning road users (4) for a rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that

a microphone is provided, which is set up to measure the ambient sound pressure and wherein the control device (5) from this measurement of

Ambient sound pressure a nominal sound pressure the

determined to be given acoustic signal and the

Acoustic signaling devices (2,3) controls so that this determined sound pressure

is emitted.