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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/465,732, filed Mar. 1, 2017
This product relates to transportation, particularly roads and highways.
Pavement markings have been in existence for a very long time. They guide vehicle operators around corners and obstacles. They mark out lanes to keep vehicles separated from each other and generally allow people and products to travel safely on roads and highways.
The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) thoroughly describes where and what pavement markings are placed on roadways. The MUTCD describes where pavement markings are placed (Section 3). The MUTCD further describes what pavement markings are composed of, and states that, “Pavement and curb markings are commonly placed by using paints or thermoplastics . . . ” (Section 3A.04.01). Pavement markings are the standard for vehicle guidance on roadways, both in the USA and throughout the world.
However, the current automobile market continues to innovate. Its technology advancements are turning automobiles into smart automobiles, edging closer and closer to autonomously directed vehicles.
There are a few different technologies available to direct and guide autonomous vehicles: RFID, GPS, sonar/radar and optical sensing equipment. Unpowered RFID is generally limited by very short distances. Powered RFID is available, but of course is limited by power availability and supply. GPS is limited by accuracy. The sonar/radar and optical options are the most prevalent in current use. However, sonar's disadvantage is that it is limited by the ability to only detect relatively large objects. The disadvantage of the optical use technologies is that they are limited and sometimes impaired by obstructions in line of sight. Another disadvantage of current optical systems is that they are limited and possibly impaired during periods of inclement weather and extreme light and darkness.
Pavement markings are what optical systems use to navigate vehicles, but the markings themselves are also limited by visibility; they must be optically seen to be useful in guidance systems. Therefore the existing pavement marking system that is optically driven, is the limitation of advanced guidance systems. However, there is another solution: Metallic objects placed on roadway surfaces enabling vehicles to read the road using electromagnetic fields.
Metallic filings placed on roadway surfaces enables vehicles to navigate roads fully or semi-autonomously by using electromagnetic fields to navigate the roadway. Metallic filings are placed in patterns on roadway surfaces and oriented in a similar fashion to existing pavement markings. The metallic filings create a code of information that is detectable using electromagnetic fields. When detected, vehicles can be fully or semi-autonomously guided using the information communicated by the patterns and orientations of the metallic filings.
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance: Drawing #1002
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance: Drawing #1004
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance: Drawing #1006
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance: Drawing #1006
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance: Drawing #1008
Pavement markings are commonly placed with paint or preformed thermoplastics. Adding metallic filings to the pavement markings creates another guidance system that is more easily detectable to automated equipment.
The creation of the subject product is represented in FIG. (1102). Initially, metallic filings (2) are placed on the roadway surface (10). The metallic filings would be placed in a flat, uniform layer. After placement, an adhesive (6) is applied to keep the metallic filings (2) stationary. After the adhesive (6) joins the metallic filings (2) to the roadway surface (10), paint/pigment (6) is applied to color the pavement markings. The adhesive and paint/pigment (6) would be placed in a flat, uniform layer. Optionally, a retro-reflective surface can be created using glass beads (8) which are placed on the paint/pigment (6) before the paint cures. The glass beads are placed in relatively flat, uniform layer.
Pavement markings are placed on roadways to guide vehicles in lanes and around obstacles. The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) thoroughly describes how pavement markings are oriented on a roadway surface, but generally speaking, pavement markings are placed parallel to the centerline of the roadway.
FIG. (1104) shows an example of how metallic filings (2) are placed in combination with pavement markings. Two oncoming vehicles (12) are separated from two departing vehicles (14) by a double solid yellow stripe (20) pavement marking. Each set of vehicles (departing/oncoming) is separated from each other by a single dashed white stripe (18) pavement marking. The leftmost and rightmost vehicles are separated from the edge of the roadway by a solid white stripe (16) pavement marking. The different patterns on each stripe are examples of how the metallic filings are placed in combination with pavement markings.
Pattern of Placement
The pattern of placed metallic fillings is also important in order to communicate information to vehicles. The simplest pattern of placement could be a solid line. However, to use the metallic filings more efficiently, the metallic filings could be placed with breaks (4) creating a patter of placed and unplaced filings, as shown in
Some good examples of placement patter are in codes that already exist such as Morse code and Bar code. Morse code is a good example of a code, language or patter of placement, to communicate information. Bar code is another example. There may be other codes that could be used or created to best utilize the material placed and communicate information. These are not limitations to the scope of the patter of metallic filings, but merely examples on how the pattern of placement could be best utilized.
Using metallic objects and electromagnetivity in transportation as a method of guidance for vehicles is useful, novel, and unobvious. Placing metallic filings and/or plates in painted pavement markings for vehicle guidance is a new use for an old article. However, incorporating metallic filings and/or plates in preformed pavement markings for vehicle guidance is a new composition of an existing article. There are many different methods to create the metallic objects based guidance system. The options listed above are not a limitation of the scope of the utility of the device. The options listed above are merely examples of how it could be used in existing industry standards and be quickly implemented in existing transportation systems.
Metallic Striping on Roads for Vehicle Guidance was developed to facilitate the movement, separation (typically transverse), and flow of vehicles. It is a technology used to guide vehicles along roadways that protects public and private property and ensures the safety of those traveling. It is both inexpensive and effective at keeping vehicles in their lanes and on the road.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/465,732, fled Mar. 1, 2017 A system of metallic objects and detectors which together communicate information about roadways to vehicles, drivers and/or passengers. More specifically, this system includes the following: 1. Metallic materials placed in and on the roadway surface that supplements pavement markings which are2. patterned or coded to transfer information to,3. the apparatus that emits and senses electromagnetic fields and uses it for vehicle guidance.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62465732 | Mar 2017 | US |