US-12626586-B1 - In-ground crosswalk control and signal system

US12626586B1US 12626586 B1US12626586 B1US 12626586B1US-12626586-B1

Abstract

A method and an apparatus provide an in-ground pedestrian crosswalk signaling actuator. An in-ground crosswalk control and signaling (ICCS) apparatus displays a crosswalk signal status and enables a pedestrian seeking to cross a street to depress the in-ground actuator button to change a signal status from a STOP signal to a GO signal. When a traffic signal controller of the ICCS apparatus detects a street-level button actuation, the controller initiates a status change countdown. In response to the countdown being completed, the controller changes the signal status to the GO signal. In addition, the controller triggers a display of a street-level signal indicating the current GO signal status. According to an aspect, the controller is electrically connected to a vehicular traffic light system, and a manual pedestrian crosswalk signal apparatus with which the ICCS apparatus remains synchronized.

Inventors

Rosa Duran

Assignees

Rosa Duran

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20221205

Claims (20)

1 . An in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system, comprising: an actuator device embedded within an opening in a sidewalk, the actuator device comprising a signal status interface configured to provide at least two different, street-level, visual signal status indicators comprising a first and a second signal status indicator, wherein said at least two visual status indicators are visible by a person positioned adjacent to the actuator device and with their eyes directed towards the ground at the signal status interface, wherein the actuator device is configured to activate by the signal status interface being depressed from above; a timing module; and a power unit energizing the actuator device and the timing module, wherein activation of the actuator device by the signal status interface being depressed from above changes the first signal status indicator to the second signal status indicator for a set period determined by the timing module before changing back to the first signal status indicator from the second signal status indicator.
2 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device includes a first terminal spaced a distance from a second terminal, and contact between the first terminal and the second terminal activates the actuator device.
3 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 2 , wherein activation of the actuator device is done by depressing the first terminal from above.
4 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device includes a portion hidden below ground of the sidewalk and an exposed portion.
5 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , further including an audible signal status indicator configured to emit an audible signal when the actuator device is activated.
6 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device includes a seal disposed around its periphery configured to prevent the penetration of moisture and liquid into the opening in the sidewalk where the actuator device is embedded within.
7 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second signal status indicators include a set of LEDs.
8 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 7 , wherein the LEDs of the first and the second status indicators differ in color.
9 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 7 , wherein the LEDs of the first and the second status indicators include alphabetical characters.
10 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 7 , wherein the LEDs of the first and the second status indicators include LED-produced icons.
11 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 1 , wherein the in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system is communicatively coupled with and configured to work in tandem with a pre-existing pole-mounted signal device and a vehicular traffic signal system.
12 . An in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system, comprising: a protective housing including an internal space, the housing embedded within an opening in a sidewalk; a first terminal that includes a signal status interface configured to provide at least two different, street-level, visual signal status indicators visible by a person positioned adjacent to the first terminal and with their eyes directed towards the ground at the signal status interface; a second terminal disposed a distance from the first terminal, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed within the internal space of the protective housing; a timing module; and a power unit energizing the first terminal, the second terminal, and the timing module, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to come in contact when the signal status interface of the first terminal is depressed from above, and further wherein contact between the first terminal and the second terminal activates the signal status interface to change from emitting one of said at least two different, street-level, visual signal status indicators to emitting another of said at least two street-level, visual signal status indicators.
13 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 12 , wherein the signal status interface includes a set of LEDs that emit the at least two visual signal status indicators.
14 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 13 , wherein the at least two visual status indicators include one or more alphabetical characters.
15 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 13 , wherein the at least two visual status indicators include one or more LED-generated icons.
16 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 13 , further including an audible signal status indicator configured to emit an audible signal corresponding to the at least two visual signal status indicators.
17 . The in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system of claim 13 , wherein the in-ground pedestrian crosswalk system is communicatively coupled with and configured to work in tandem with a pre-existing pole-mounted signal device and a vehicular traffic signal system.
18 . A method for providing street-level pedestrian crosswalk actuation, the method comprising: providing a street-level actuator comprising a signal status interface, the street-level actuator embedded within an opening in a sidewalk; displaying, via the signal status interface of the street-level actuator, a first street-level signal status indication indicative of a first crosswalk signal status; detecting a depression from above of the signal status interface of the street-level actuator; in response to detecting said depression from above, initiating a status change countdown; in response to the status change countdown being completed, displaying, via the signal status interface of the street-level actuator, a second street-level signal status indication indicative of a second crosswalk signal status, the second street-level signal status indication different to the first street-level signal status indication; wherein said first and second street-level signal status indications are visible by a person positioned adjacent to the street-level actuator and with their eyes directed towards the ground at the street-level actuator.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the signal status interface includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured to emit one or more alphabetical characters, numerical characters, or LED-generated icons.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising providing an audible signal status indicator that is configured to emit an audible signal corresponding to the signal status interface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/285,771, filed on Dec. 3, 2021, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to traffic control systems, and more particularly, to pedestrian actuated traffic control systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pedestrian controlled crosswalk signaling systems enable a pedestrian intending to cross a street to manually depress a call button that ultimately provides the pedestrian with a walk signal while vehicular traffic stops or cedes a right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the street. Crosswalk signaling systems often include pedestrian call buttons installed at traffic lights with a dedicated pedestrian signal, and these call buttons are used to bring up the pedestrian “walk” indication. In general, pedestrians will have to wait until a countdown is completed for the “walk” indication. Individuals interact with pedestrian call buttons using their hands. However, in a world forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, manual interaction with a call button represents a potential safety hazard. Another problem with the traditional pedestrian call buttons is that they may not be convenient and/or accessible for individuals that are disabled or handicapped. Ideally, it would be extremely useful to provide a pedestrian crosswalk signaling system that enables an individual to safely trigger a walk indication. In addition, the system should be usable and convenient for pedestrians and/or individuals with sidewalk friendly transportation, as well as disabled and/or handicapped individuals. Accordingly, there is need for a safe pedestrian crosswalk signaling system that is accessible to the disabled and the handicapped, minimizes the spreading of germs, and yet remains compatible with the current crosswalk signaling system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for providing an in-ground pedestrian crosswalk signaling actuator. An in-ground crosswalk control and signaling (ICCS) apparatus displays a crosswalk signal status and enables a pedestrian seeking to cross a street to depress the in-ground actuator button to change a signal status from a STOP signal to a GO signal. When a traffic signal control unit or controller of the ICCS apparatus detects a street-level button actuation, the controller initiates a signal status change countdown. In response to the countdown being completed, the controller changes the signal status to the GO signal. In addition, the controller triggers a display of a street-level signal indicating the current GO signal status. According to an aspect, the controller is electrically connected to a vehicular traffic light system/apparatus and a manual pedestrian crosswalk signal apparatus with which the ICCS apparatus remains synchronized. According to an aspect, the street-level segment incorporates a pressure sensitive area that is used to control a street signal. The pressure sensitive area is designed to be actuated by foot action or pressure applied by a tire or wheel. According to one or more related aspects, the pressure sensitive area is a portion of a button/actuator which can be depressed by a pedestrian's foot, a scooter wheel, a bicycle type, a wheel of a wheelchair, etc., to initiate a countdown to a change of walk signal status. According to one or more related aspects, the street-level segment protrudes from the pavement/ground in which the street-level segment is embedded to enable the button/actuator to be accessible and to enable an individual to easily interact with and depress the button/actuator. According to an aspect, in order to clearly indicate an active signal status, a street-level actuator and signal status interface includes a light system, which may include a number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each status icon is associated with a particular subset of lights/LEDS. Thus, the in-ground crosswalk control and signaling (ICCS) apparatus indicates that an individual(s) may cross a street (e.g., via crosswalk) by activating a first set of lights/LEDS that are associated with the walking pedestrian icon. According to an implementation, the first set of lights/LEDS include green lights/LEDS, which intuitively indicate a GO status, conforming with universal traffic signaling color standards. On the other hand, red lights/LEDs within associated STOP indicator icons/symbols can be used to intuitively indicate a STOP status. According to an aspect, by periodically activating a second set of lights/LEDS associated with the “STEP TO GO” command, the in-ground crosswalk control and signaling (ICCS) apparatus can remind an individual(s) that he may trigger a change in signal status from a STOP signal to a GO signal by depressing the button/actuator portion of the street-level actuator and signal status interface. According to one or more aspect