WO2022118156A2

WO2022118156A2 - System for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation

Info

Publication number: WO2022118156A2
Application number: PCT/IB2021/061041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni BONINI
Original assignee: Autostrade Tech SpA
Current assignee: Autostrade Tech SpA
Priority date: 2020-12-04
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2022-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-04
Also published as: EP4256546A2; WO2022118156A3; CL2023001579A1

Abstract

A system and a method for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation is described. The weight of each vehicle in transit is measured at a first control station located on the path which precedes the road section, in a position preceding a deviation which allows the road section to be avoided, by means of a moving vehicle weighing device; if the weight of a vehicle exceeds the maximum weight allowed, a unique identifier of the vehicle is detected and stored in a list of vehicles in potential violation. At a second control station located at the entrance to the road section, the identifier of each vehicle in transit is detected and it is checked whether it is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation. In the affirmative, the second control station activates stop devices located along the road section, which signal to the driver of the vehicle an immediate stop obligation.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE ACCESS OF VEHICLES TO A ROAD SECTION SUBJECT TO LOAD LIMITATION

Technical field

The present invention relates in general to the field of methods and systems for controlling traffic. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation.

Prior art

It is known that road sections which comprise bridges and viaducts may be subject to load limitations. These limitations in general are imposed following safety checks and are typically applied provisionally until the appropriate maintenance and repair work on the road section in question has been completed.

These limitations in general provide that the road section may not be accessed, along each travel lane, by vehicles which have a certain weight over a certain length, for example 40 tonnes distributed over a length of 16.3 metres.

DE 10 2005 055663 describes a two-stage system, in which the weight of the vehicle is first measured by a dynamic weighing device and, if necessary, the driver is warned that there is the risk of the maximum permitted weight being exceeded, by sending a suitable alarm signal to an on-board unit of the vehicle. The driver may thus decide to call in at a weight checking station. The system may send the alarm only to some of the vehicles which risk exceeding the maximum permitted weight, so that the number of vehicles opting to visit the checking station may be regulated depending on the availability of the station. If the checking station is closed, for example, the system does not send any alarm to the vehicles which risk exceeding the maximum permitted weight.

US 2004/021579 describes a system for monitoring heavy i vehicles which comprises a first weighing station arranged along a motorway section and a second weighing station arranged along a deviation from the motorway section. If the first weighing station detects that there is the risk of the maximum permitted weight being exceeded, it sends an alarm to an on-board transponder of the vehicle. In response to the alarm, the vehicle may visit the second station in order to carry out a more precise check. If, instead, the vehicle continues along the motorway section, the system detects it, records it in a data bank and, if necessary, reports the vehicle to the law enforcement, who may thus intercept the vehicle and remove it from the road section.

Summary of the invention

The Applicant has noticed that the known systems described above have a number of drawbacks.

In particular, the Applicant has noted that preventing vehicles with an excessive weight from passing along a given road section is of fundamental importance from a safety point of view. The repeated access of vehicles which exceed the load limitation may indeed worsen the conditions and the stability of the road section, with a consequent risk for all the vehicles passing along the road section.

Both the known systems described above, in a disadvantageous manner, are unable to prevent access to the road section subject to load limitation by vehicles which exceed this limitation. Both the known systems described above indeed merely signal the risk of the maximum permitted weight being exceeded, by sending to the onboard unit or transponder of the vehicle an alarm inviting the driver to visit a weight checking station. However, the driver may ignore the alarm and continue in any case towards the road section subject to load limitation, even though this involves the risk of a sanction. Furthermore, even if the vehicle which risks exceeding the maximum permitted weight should be reported to the police, it most likely would be intercepted and removed only after having travelled along at least part of the road section subject to load limitation, with the consequent risk of a worsening in the condition and stability of the road section.

Above all, in both the known systems each vehicle in transit must be equipped with an on-board unit or transponder suitable for receiving and reproducing the alarms received from the control stations. However, not all the vehicles could be equipped with such on-board units or transponders. Moreover, in the case where the onboard unit or transponder does function correctly (for example because it is low on power), it might not manage to emit the alarm signal and therefore the driver might not be warned about the risk of the maximum permitted weight being exceeded.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and system for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation, which is particularly efficient in preventing access to the road section by vehicles exceeding the load limitation, and which does not require the vehicles to be equipped with on-board units.

According to embodiments of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method and a system whereby the vehicles directed towards the road section subject to load limitation pass via a first control station located on the path leading to the road section, before a deviation which allows the vehicles to avoid said road section. This first control station comprises a moving vehicle weighing device located on the road surface, a first vehicle identification device and a first data processing unit. The moving vehicle weighing device measures the weight of each vehicle passing over it and the first data processing unit determines whether this exceeds a maximum permitted weight (and therefore exceeds the load limitation to which the road section is subject). If this is the case, the first vehicle identification device is activated and detects a unique identifier of the vehicle, for example its licence plate number, which is then stored in a list of vehicles in potential violation. The expression "vehicles in potential violation" is understood as meaning vehicles for which the first station has determined that the maximum permitted weight is exceeded, but which may still decide to continue along the deviation which allows the road section subject to load limitations to be avoided. In the case where the vehicle continues along the path leading to the road section subject to load limitation, it passes through a second control station located at the entrance of the road section. This second control station comprises a second vehicle identification device and a second data processing unit. The second vehicle identification device detects a unique identifier of each passing vehicle, for example its licence plate number. The second data processing unit, which has access to the list of vehicles in potential violation, then checks whether each identifier detected is included in this list. If an identified vehicle is included in the list, the second data processing unit activates at least one stop device provided along the road section subject to load limitation (for example, a cross-arrow lamp), which signals an immediate stop obligation to the driver of the identified vehicle in violation.

The method and system according to the present invention are therefore particularly efficient in preventing access to the road section by vehicles exceeding the load limitation.

The vehicles in potential violation of the load limitation are indeed detected by the first control station before the deviation allowing the road section to be avoided, so that the drivers of these vehicles may follow the deviation and avoid the road section subject to the load limitation. Furthermore, should a vehicle in potential violation nevertheless continue towards the road section, it is detected upon entry into the second control station, which readily activates the stop devices which signal to the driver the obligation to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle may thus be promptly removed by the competent authorities and the driver then fined.

This thus avoids repeated access to the road section by vehicles exceeding the load limitations, thereby preserving the condition and stability of the road section until the appropriate maintenance and repair work has been completed, with a consequent increase in the safety for all the vehicles passing along said section.

The system and method according to the present invention also advantageously have a minimum impact on the traffic.

Moreover, it should be noted that typically the load limitations are defined on the basis of the nominal weight of the vehicles. This nominal weight in general is defined in the form of a weight range of a certain amplitude and, for safety reasons, the bottom limit of this range is used in order to define the load limitation of a road section. This means that some of the vehicles which are prohibited access could indeed pass along the road section without risk. With the system according to the present invention, instead, the identification of the vehicles in potential violation is based on the measurement of their actual weight measured by the weighing device. As a result the weight defining the load limitation may be increased and the capacity of the road section may thus be increased as a result, while preserving the safety thereof.

Moreover, advantageously, the passing vehicles are not required to be equipped with any on-board unit, since the immediate stop obligation is signalled to the driver by the stop devices which are provided along the road section and which are activated automatically by the second control station when a vehicle present in the list of vehicles in potential violation is detected.

According to a first aspect, a system for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation is provided, the road section being preceded by a path which comprises at least one deviation which allows the road section to be avoided, the system comprising:

- at least a first control station located on the path before the deviation, the first control station comprising a moving vehicle weighting device suitable for measuring the weight of a vehicle in transit along the path, a first data processing unit configured to determine if the weight of the vehicle exceeds a maximum weight allowed for the road section and a first vehicle identification device configured, in the affirmative, to detect a unique identifier of the vehicle and to store the unique identifier of the vehicle in a list of vehicles in potential violation;

- a second control station located at the entrance of the road section, the second control station comprising a second vehicle identification device configured to detect again a unique identifier of the vehicle and a second data processing unit configured to check whether the unique identifier detected again is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation; and

- at least one stop device located along the road section, the at least one stop device being configured to be activated by said second data processing unit when the latter determines that the unique identifier detected again is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation and, when activated, to indicate to the driver of the vehicle a stop obligation.

Preferably, at least one of the first vehicle identification device and the second vehicle identification device comprises an image acquisition device suitable for acquiring one or more images of the vehicle.

Preferably, the unique identifier of the vehicle is the licence plate number of the vehicle.

Preferably, the first vehicle identification device is configured, if the weight of the vehicle does not exceed the maximum weight allowed for the road section, not to detect any unique identifier of the vehicle.

According to advantageous embodiments, the system also comprises at least one prescription device located along the path before the first control station, the at least prescription device comprising a variable or static road sign device configured to show a prescription message indicating that, if one proceeds along the path, the road section subject to load limitation will be encountered.

According to some embodiments, the moving vehicle weighing device is located along a lane of the path, and the system also comprises at least one specialization device located along the path before the first control station, the at least one specialization device comprising a variable or static road sign device configured to show a message encouraging the transit along the lane by categories of vehicles whose weight likely exceeds the load limitation to which the road section is subject.

Preferably, the message shown by said at least one specialization device comprises an overtaking prohibition and/or a speed limit.

According to advantageous embodiments, the system also comprises a warning device located along the path between the first control station and the at least one deviation, the warning device being a road sign device configured to show a warning message informing the driver of the vehicle that the vehicle is in potential violation of the load limitation to which the road section is subject, the warning device being selectively activatable by the first data processing unit when the weight of the vehicle exceeds the maximum weight allowed for the road section.

Preferably, the warning device is a variable road sign device and the warning message also comprises the unique identifier of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the warning device is a static road sign device also comprising one or more light indicators selectively activatable by the first data processing unit when the weight of the vehicle exceeds the maximum weight allowed for the road section.

Preferably, the at least one stop device is electrically connected to the second data processing unit so as to receive from it at least one activation command transmitted from the second data processing unit when it determines that the unique identifier detected again is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation.

Preferably, the at least one stop device comprises at least one of: a variable road sign device suitable for showing a message indicating the stop obligation, a luminous lamp, a cross-arrow lamp, a siren or a loudspeaker playing a voice message indicating the stop obligation.

Optionally, said stop device is suitable for also reproducing the unique identifier of the vehicle.

Preferably, the moving vehicle weighing device has a precision of 10% or more.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation, the road section being preceded by a path comprising at least one deviation which allows the road section to be avoided, the method comprising:

- at a first control station located on the path before the deviation, measuring the weight of a vehicle in transit along the path, determining whether the weight of the vehicle exceeds a maximum weight allowed for the road section and, in the affirmative, detecting a unique identifier of the vehicle and storing this unique identifier of the vehicle in a list of vehicles in potential violation;

- at a second control station located at the entrance of the road section, detecting again a unique identifier of the vehicle and checking if the unique identifier detected again is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation; and

- if the unique identifier detected again is present in the list of vehicles in potential violation, by means of the second control station activating at least one stop device located along the road section, the at least one stop device indicating to the driver of the vehicle a stop obligation.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, provided by way of a non-limiting example, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows in schematic form a system for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

- Figure 2 shows the flow chart of operation of the system according to Figure 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows in schematic form a system for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section subject to load limitation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1 , the system is indicated overall by the reference number 1 , while the road section subject to load limitation is indicated by the reference number 2. The starting point or entrance of the road section 2 is indicated by means of a broken line and the reference number 2a.

The system 1 preferably comprises a first control station 3 and a second control station 4.

The first control station 3 preferably is located on a road path 2b which leads to the road section 2, preferably before one or more deviations which allow the vehicles travelling along the path 2b to avoid the road section 2. By way of a non-limiting example, Figure 1 shows a single deviation 2c. For example, if the road section 2 and the path 2b which leads to it both form part of a motorway section, the deviation 2c may be a motorway junction or exit.

The first control station 3 preferably comprises a moving vehicle weighing device 30, a first vehicle identification device 31 and a first data processing unit 32.

The moving vehicle weighing device 30 is located on the road surface level (and substantially incorporated in the road surface). In the case where the path 2b has several lanes, the weighing device 30 is preferably positioned along one of the lanes, for example the rightmost lane with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicles along the path 2b. The weighing device 30 preferably has a precision of 10% or more (namely for a vehicle weighing, for example, 40 tonnes it provides a measurement with a maximum error of ± 4 tonnes). More preferably the weighing device 30 is a weighing device in compliance with the directive OIML R134-1 , edition 2006, accuracy class 10. In this way, the measurement results obtained by the weighing device 30 may be used to establish whether a vehicle exceeds (and not simply risks exceeding) the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject and whether therefore it is liable for a fine, without having to carry out a subsequent weight check using a static weighing device.

The first vehicle identification device 31 is preferably suitable for detecting a unique identifier of each passing vehicle whose weight exceeds the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject. The vehicle identification device 31 is preferably located in a more advanced position, in the direction of travel of the vehicles along the path 2b, than the position of the weighing device 30, at a distance from it for example of between 14 m and 20 m. The first vehicle identification device 31 for example may comprise an image acquisition device (a photo camera or digital video camera) suitable for acquiring one or more images of the passing vehicles (in io particular, the passing vehicles whose weight exceeds the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject), from which it is possible to obtain at least one unique identifier of the vehicle. This unique identifier may be for example the licence plate number of the vehicle.

The first data processing unit 32 preferably is electrically connected to the weighing device 30 and also to the first vehicle identification device 31 .

The second control station 4 preferably is positioned at the entrance 2a to the road section 2. The second control station 4 preferably comprises a second vehicle identification device 40 and a second data processing unit 41 .

The second vehicle identification device 40 is preferably suitable for detecting a unique identifier of each passing vehicle. The second vehicle identification device 40 for example may comprise an image acquisition device (a digital photo camera or video camera) suitable for acquiring one or more images of the passing vehicles, from which it is possible to obtain at least one unique identifier of the vehicle. This unique identifier may be for example the licence plate number of the vehicle.

The second data processing unit 41 preferably is electrically connected to the second vehicle identification device 40.

The system 1 moreover preferably also comprises a database 5 accessible by the first data processing unit 32 and by the second data processing unit 41 . The database 5 may be implemented at any one of the data processing units 32, 41 . Alternatively, the database 5 may be implemented in a position remote from both the data processing units 32, 41 . In this case, the data processing units 32, 41 may be connected to the database 5 via a data communications network (not shown in Figure 1 ).

The system 1 preferably also comprises at least one prescription ii device 6 located in a position before the first control station 3, in the direction of travel of the vehicles along the path 2b. The prescription device 6 preferably is a vertical road sign device which shows a prescription message informing the drivers of the passing vehicles that, if one continues along the path 2b, a road section 2 subject to load limitations will be encountered. Preferably, the prescription message comprises a quantitative indication of the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject (for example 40 t). The prescription message may for example be the following: "NO ACCESS TO ROAD SECTION XYZ FOR VEHICLES WEIGHING MORE THAN 40 TONNES". Optionally, the prescription message shown by the device 6 may indicate also that along the path 2b there is the first control station 3 where the vehicle will be weighed. Optionally the prescription message may also specify the distance between the device 6 and the first control station 3.

The prescription device 6 may be a variable sign device (for example, an electronic panel which comprises a matrix of pixels which light up selectively in order to compose the prescription message) or static sign device (for example a sheet-metal panel on which the prescription message is printed).

By way of a non-limiting example, Figure 1 shows a single prescription device 6. This, however, is not limiting since the system may comprise a plurality of devices 6 distributed along the path section 2b which precedes the first control unit 3. The system 1 for example may comprise a set of variable prescription devices 6 and static prescription devices 6. The static prescription devices 6 for example may be positioned at a distance of 2-3 km from each other, while the variable prescription devices 6 may be arranged at a greater distance from each other. In order to warn the drivers of the vehicles in transit in advance, the prescription device 6 (or the first one of these devices, if there are more than one) preferably is located at a certain minimum distance Dmm from the start 2a of the road section 2, Dmin being for example equal to 50 km.

In the case where the path 2b has several lanes and the weighing device 30 of the first control station 3 is positioned along one of the lanes (for example the rightmost lane in the direction of travel of the vehicles along the path 2b), the system 1 preferably also comprises at least one specialization device 7 located in a position before the first control station 3 in the direction of travel of the vehicles along the path 2b. The specialization device 7 preferably is a vertical road sign device which shows a message encouraging the transit, along the lane where the weighing device 30 is located, by those categories of vehicles whose weight most likely exceeds the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject. For example, if the weighing device 30 is in the rightmost lane in the direction of travel, the specialization device 7 may indicate a prohibition of overtaking for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. Optionally, the specialization device 7 may also indicate a maximum permitted speed limit which is suitable for the weighing operation (for example, 50 km/h).

The specialization device 7 may be a variable or static signalling device, as described above.

By way of a non-limiting example, Figure 1 shows a single specialization device 7. This, however, is not limiting since the system 1 may comprise a plurality of devices 7 distributed along the path section 2b which precedes the first control unit 3. For example, a plurality of devices 7 which indicate a speed limit decreasing along the path 2b may be provided, so as to gradually reduce the speed of the vehicles until the speed suitable for performing the weighing operation is reached.

Optionally, the system 1 may comprise - along the road section 2b which precedes the first control station 3 - means for detecting violations of the overtaking prohibition and/or speed limit (not shown in Figure 1).

The system 1 preferably also comprises at least one warning device 8 situated along the path 2b between the first control station 3 and the deviation 2c. The weighing device 8 preferably is a vertical road sign device which, when activated, shows a warning message which informs the driver of each passing vehicle whose weight exceeds the load limitation of the road section 2 that the vehicle is in potential violation of the load limit to which the road section 2 is subject. Optionally, the warning message may be personalized, for example with the unique identifier (licence plate number) of the vehicle in potential violation.

In order to warn the driver of the passing vehicle in good time, the warning device 8 preferably is located within a maximum distance Dmax from the first control station 3, Dmax being for example equal to 400 m.

The warning device 8 may be a variable signalling device (for example, an electronic panel which comprises a matrix of pixels which light up selectively in order to compose the warning message, which may be personalized) or static signalling device (for example a sheet-metal panel on which the warning message is printed). In this latter case, the warning device 8 also comprises one or more luminous indicators (for example orange lamps) which may be selectively activated in order to capture the attention of the driver of the passing vehicle.

The warning device 8 is preferably selectively activatable by the first data processing unit 32 (in the case of a static device, the activation concerns only the one or more luminous indicators). For this purpose, the device 8 is electrically connected to the first data processing device 32 so as to receive from it activation commands, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. Optionally, the system 1 comprises at least one further warning device 8' (preferably static device) arranged between the device 7 and the deviation 2c. This device 8' also shows the aforementioned warning message (in static form) and preferably is situated before the deviation 2c at a minimum distance, for example of between 150 m and 250 m. In the case where several deviations 2c are present between the first control station 3 and the entrance 2a to the road section 2, preferably each of them is preceded by a respective warning device 7'.

Preferably, the system 1 also comprises at least one stop device 9 located in a position following the second control station 4, in the direction of travel of the vehicles along the road section 2. The stop device 9 preferably is suitable for signalling the obligation to stop immediately to the driver of a vehicle in violation of the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject. By way of a non-limiting example, the stop device 9 may comprise a vertical road sign device such as an electronic and/or static panel indicating the stop obligation ("STOP AT X METRES" which may be personalized with the unique identifier of the vehicle 10), a luminous lamp located above each lane of the road section 2 or a cross-arrow lamp. Alternatively, the stop device 9 may be an acoustic device, such as a siren or a loudspeaker which reproduces a voice message indicating the stop obligation (if necessary personalized with the unique identifier of the vehicle 10).

By way of a non-limiting example, Figure 1 shows a single stop device 9. This however is not limiting, since the system 1 may comprise a plurality of stop devices 9 distributed along the road section 2 after the second control station 4. The system 1 , for example, may comprise a set of stop devices of different types, for example cross-arrow lamps and sirens. In order to stop as quickly as possible each vehicle in violation, the stop device 9 (or first one, if there more than one) preferably is located at a maximum distance Dmax' from the entrance 2a of the road section 2, Dmax' being for example 300 m.

The one or more stop devices 9 are selectively activatable in order to indicate an immediate stop obligation for the vehicle in violation of the load limitation. For this purpose, the stop devices 9 are preferably electrically connected to the second data processing unit 41 of the second control station 4, so as to receive from it suitable activation commands, as will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.

Below, with reference to the flow chart of Figure 2, the operation of the system 1 for controlling the access of vehicles to the road section 2 subject to load limitation, according to an embodiment of the present invention, will now be described.

It is assumed that a vehicle (indicated by the reference number 10 in Figure 1 ) is travelling along the path 2b in the direction of the road section 2 subject to a load limitation, for example of 40 tonnes.

While travelling along the path 2b leading to the road section 2, firstly the driver of the vehicle 10 is informed by the at least one prescription device 6 that, by continuing along the path 2b, the road section 2 subject to load limitations will be encountered (step 200).

In the case where several lanes are present along the path 2b, the vehicle 10 is invited by the at least one specialization device 7 to stay on the lane where the weighing device 30 of the first control station is located and to reduce its speed, until a speed suitable for the weighing operation is reached (step 201).

When the first control station 3 is reached, the vehicle 10 passes over the moving vehicle weighing device 30 which measures its weight (step 202).

The first data processing unit 32 then receives the weight of the vehicle 10 measured by the weighing device 30 and determines whether it exceeds the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject (step 203). For example, if the load limitation corresponds to a maximum weight Pmax of 40 tonnes, the first data processing unit 32 determines whether the measured weight of the vehicle 10 is greater than Pmax=40 t.

If the measured weight of the vehicle 10 is less than or equal to the maximum weight Pmax, no other action is taken by the first control station 3.

If instead the measured weight of the vehicle 10 is greater than the maximum weight Pmax, the first data processing unit 32 preferably activates the first vehicle identification device 31 , which detects a unique identifier of the vehicle 10 (step 204). For example, in the case where the device 31 comprises an image acquisition device, at step 204 one or more front and/or rear views of the vehicle 10 may be acquired and from these the vehicle identification device 31 may obtain the licence plate number of the vehicle 10, for example by applying an OCR algorithm. According to a variant, the images may be sent to the first data processing unit 32 which processes them and obtains the licence plate number of the vehicle 10. At step 204, the first data processing unit 32 then preferably stores the unique identifier of the vehicle 10 in the database 5, for example in a list of vehicles in potential violation of the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject.

The first data processing unit 32 then preferably sends to the warning device 8 an activation command (step 205), in response to which the warning device 8 is activated. If the device 8 is of the variable type, when it is activated it shows a warning message which informs the driver that the vehicle 10 is in potential violation of the load limitation to which the road section 10 is subject. Optionally, the warning message may also comprise the unique identifier of the vehicle 10. If instead the warning device 8 is of the static type with one or more luminous indicators which can be selectively activated, activation of the device 8 corresponds to lighting up of these luminous indicators, which may for example start to flash intermittently, thus attracting the attention of the driver of the vehicle 10.

The driver of the vehicle 10 may thus decide not to continue along the section 2b and deviate along the deviation 2c (step 205'), thus avoiding the road section 2.

If, however, despite the warning message provided by the device 8 (and repeated by the further static warning device 8' positioned before each deviation 2c), the driver of the vehicle 10 decides to continue in any case along the path 2b as far as the entrance of the road section 2, the second control station 4 will be reached.

Upon reaching the second control station 4, the second vehicle identification device 40 is activated and detects again a unique identifier of the vehicle 10 (step 206). The second vehicle identification device 40 may for example be activated by a transit sensor situated in a position immediately before the device 40 (not shown in the drawings). For example, in the case where the device 40 comprises an image acquisition device, at step 206 one or more front and/or rear views of the vehicle 10 may be acquired and, from them, the vehicle identification device 40 may obtain the licence plate number of the vehicle 10, for example by applying an OCR algorithm. According to one variant, the images may be sent to the second data processing unit 41 , which processes them and obtains the licence plate number of the vehicle 10.

The second data processing unit 41 then checks whether the identifier obtained at step 206 is present among those already identified and stored in the database 5 (step 207).

In the negative, the second data processing unit 41 determines that it is not a vehicle in violation of the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject and, therefore, it does not undertake any action. Step 206 is indeed carried out for all the vehicles which access the road section 2; therefore, if a vehicle does not have a weight greater than Pmax, it is identified for the first time at the second control station 4 and, in that case, it is not present in the list of vehicles in potential violation and it is not necessary to impose the stop obligation.

If, instead, the identifier obtained at step 206 is present among those identified and stored in the database 5, the second data processing unit 41 preferably activates the one or more stop devices 9 which are located after the second control station 4 (step 208). The stop devices 9 thus indicate to the driver of the vehicle 10 the obligation to stop immediately (or in any case in the first lay-by area, so as not to hinder the transit of the other vehicles which are not in violation of the load limitation).

For this purpose, the second data processing unit 41 preferably sends to the one or more stop devices 9 an activation command. The activation command may optionally comprise the unique identifier of the vehicle 10, which one or more stop devices 9 may reproduce together with signalling of the immediate stop obligation.

It should be noted that the activation of the one or more stop devices 9 is performed upon detection of the identifier obtained at step 206 as being among those already identified and stored in the database 5, without the need for any further check of the weight of the vehicle 10. This because, as described above, the moving vehicle weighing device 30 has a precision such as to provide measurement results which may be directly used to establish whether a vehicle exceeds (and not simply risks exceeding) the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject and is therefore liable for fining, without having to check subsequently the weight using a static weighing device.

Thereafter, the second data processing unit 41 may send a message to the competent authorities (for example the traffic police) (step 209), indicating the identifier of the vehicle 10, the type of violation and the location where the violation is taking place. This message may be for example sent to an operating centre 11 of the competent authorities and/or to the mobile communication devices 12 which are in the possession of the personnel of said authorities and which may be provided with a special application for this purpose.

The competent authorities may thus take remedial action in good time, for example activating the road sign system (comprising for example barriers, sirens, flashing lights, traffic lights, signs and, if necessary, loudspeakers for emitting acoustic signals) located along the path 2b, which indicates the temporary closure of the road section 2 to the traffic owing to removal of a vehicle in violation. The competent authorities may thus proceed in safe conditions to remove the vehicle 10 from the road section 2 (for example in the case of a motorway section, by means of temporary removal of a central barrier section and supervision of a U-turn by the vehicle 10) and fine the vehicle driver.

The system 1 is therefore particularly efficient in preventing access to the road section 2 by vehicles exceeding the load limitations.

The vehicle 10 in potential violation of the load limitation is indeed detected by the first control station 3 before the deviation 2c allowing the road section 2 to be avoided, so that the driver of this vehicle may follow the deviation 2c and avoid the road section 2 subject to the load limitation. Furthermore, should a vehicle 10 in potential violation nevertheless continue towards the road section 2, it is detected at the entrance 2a by the second control station 4 which promptly activates the one or more stop devices 9 which signal to the driver the obligation to stop the vehicle 10 immediately. The vehicle 10 may thus be promptly removed by the competent authorities and the driver then fined.

This thus avoids repeated access to the road section 2 by vehicles exceeding the load limitations, thereby preserving the condition and stability of the road section 2 until the appropriate maintenance and repair work has been completed, with a consequent increase in the safety for all the vehicles passing along said section.

The system 1 moreover advantageously has a minimum impact on traffic.

Moreover, advantageously, it is not necessary for the vehicle 10 to be equipped with any on-board unit. The immediate stop obligation is indeed signalled to the driver by the one or more stop devices 9 provided along the road section 2 and activated automatically by the second control station 4 (in particular by the second data processing unit 41) when it is detected that the vehicle 10 is present in the list of vehicles which are in potential violation.

Although, in the embodiment described with reference to the figures a single control station 3 provided with a weighing device 30 is shown, this is not limiting. According to advantageous embodiments, indeed, the system 1 may comprise two or more stations 3 distributed along the path 2b which leads to the road section 2, before the deviation 2c. This advantageously allows repeating two or more times the operations of weighing and identifying the vehicles which are in potential violation of the load limitation to which the road section 2 is subject, with a consequent improvement in the reliability and efficiency of the entire system.

Claims

CLAIMS System (1) for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section (2) subject to load limitation, said road section (2) being preceded by a path (2b) comprising at least one deviation (2c) which allows said road section (2) to be avoided, said system (1) comprising:

- at least a first control station (3) located on said path (2b) before said deviation (2c), said first control station (3) comprising a moving vehicle weighing device (30) suitable for measuring the weight of a vehicle (10) in transit along said path (2b), a first data processing unit (32) configured to determine if said weight of said vehicle (10) exceeds a maximum weight allowed for said road section (2), and a first vehicle identification device (31) configured, in the affirmative, to detect a unique identifier of said vehicle (10) and store said unique identifier of said vehicle (10) in a list of vehicles in potential violation;

- a second control station (4) located at the entrance (2a) of said road section (2), said second control station (4) comprising a second vehicle identification device (40) configured to detect again a unique identifier of said vehicle (10) and a second data processing unit (41 ) configured to check whether said unique identifier detected again is present in said list of vehicles in potential violation; and

- at least one stop device (9) located along said road section (2), said at least one stop device (9) being configured to be activated by said second data processing unit (41) when the latter determines that said unique identifier detected again is present in said list of vehicles in potential violation and, when activated, to indicate to the driver of said vehicle (10) a stop

22 obligation. System (1) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first vehicle identification device (31 ) and said second vehicle identification device (40) comprises an image acquisition device suitable for acquiring one or more images of said vehicle (10). System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said unique identifier of said vehicle (10) is the license plate number of said vehicle (10). System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first vehicle identification device (31) is configured, if said weight of said vehicle (10) does not exceed said maximum weight allowed for said road section (2), not to detect any unique identifier of said vehicle (10). System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising at least one prescription device (6) located along said path (2b) before said first control station (3), said at least one prescription device

(6) comprising a variable or static road sign device configured to show a prescription message indicating that, if one proceeds along said path (2b), said road section (2) subject to load limitation will be encountered. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said moving vehicle weighing device (30) is located along a lane of said path (2b), and wherein said system (1 ) also comprises at least one specialization device (7) located along said path (2b) before said first control station (3), said at least one specialization device (7) comprising a variable or static road sign device configured to show a message encouraging the transit along said lane by categories of vehicles whose weight likely exceeds the load limitation to which said road section (2) is subject.

7. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein said message shown by said at least one specialization device (7) comprises an overtaking prohibition and/or a speed limit.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a warning device (8) located along said path (2b) between said first control station (3) and said at least one deviation (2c), said warning device (8) being a road sign device configured to show a warning message informing the driver of said vehicle (10) that said vehicle (10) is in potential violation of the load limitation to which said road section (2) is subject, said warning device (8) being selectively activatable by said first data processing unit (32) when said weight of said vehicle (10) exceeds said maximum weight allowed for said road section (2).

9. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein said warning device (8) is a variable road sign device and wherein said warning message also comprises said unique identifier of said vehicle (10).

10. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein said warning device (8) is a static road sign device also comprising one or more light indicators selectively activatable by said first data processing unit (32) when said weight of said vehicle (10) exceeds said maximum weight allowed for said road section (2).

11. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one stop device (9) is electrically connected to said second data processing unit (41) so as to receive from said second data processing unit (41) at least one activation command transmitted by said second data processing unit (41 ) when it determines that said unique identifier detected again is present in said list of vehicles in potential violation. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one stop device (9) comprises at least one of: a variable road sign device suitable for showing a message indicating said stop obligation, a luminous lamp, a cross-arrow lamp, a siren or a loudspeaker configured to play a voice message indicating said stop obligation. System (1) according to claim 12, wherein said stop device (9) is suitable for reproducing also said unique identifier of said vehicle (10). System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said moving vehicle weighing device (30) has a precision of 10% or more. Method for controlling the access of vehicles to a road section (2) subject to load limitation, said road section (2) being preceded by a path (2b) comprising at least one deviation (2c) which allows said road section (2) to be avoided, said method comprising:

- at a first control station (3) located on said path (2b) before said deviation (2c), measuring the weight of a vehicle (10) in transit along said path (2b), determining whether said weight of said vehicle (10) exceeds a maximum weight allowed for said road section (2) and, in the affirmative, detecting a unique identifier of said vehicle (10) and storing said unique identifier of said vehicle (10) in a list of vehicles in potential violation;

- at a second control station (4) located at the entrance (2a) of said road section (2), detecting again a unique identifier of said vehicle (10) and checking if said unique identifier detected again is present in said list of vehicles in potential violation; and

- if said unique identifier detected again is present in said list of

25 vehicles in potential violation, by said second control station (4) activating at least one stop device (9) located along said road section (2), said at least one stop device (9) indicating to the driver of said vehicle (10) a stop obligation.

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