This is a new approach of collaborative technology (I2V) for intelligenet traffic signs and positioning systems based on contactless technology (RFID). It is focused in active safety with main focus in rising drivers' awareness on traffic signs, preventing driver distraction and facilitating accelerated development and deployment of crash avoidance systems by means of cooperative road-vehicle systems and procedures like ISA/SpeedAlert or Traffic signs recognition systems.
The technical approach is quite simple, it is based on the use of twofold devices: the one on-board (the reader) and the other buried in the road lane (RFID special passive transponders). When the vehicle passes over such point "mined" with such tag the onboard reader can alert driver or can register the sign and position in a log file or black box like device.
This is the basic principle, but it can be extended to many other applications like the enforced speed limit of ISA systems or fleet (bus) location applications. For instance, for bus location applications, only one (or a couple) of road beacons are needed to be deployed per each bus stop in order to reach enough indication points. If a more continuous indication is needed, more RFID beacons can be easily deployed or other means (inertial) can be used for interpolation.
Also, when achieving a critical mass of implanted RFID signaling e-tags, its applications fall also in the domain of generic positioning systems like GPS/Galileo, with its main advantage that RBS chips do not only provide position (indirect) information but also local related (direct) information whose only owners are local road authorities.
RBS requires no digital mapping, no GNSS, no need for mapping updates, and authorities remain their rights and accesibility to change speed limits or e-signs as they currently do now with traditional road signs. Also, it is resistent to redesign cycles (at least on road side tag).
Besides, roadbeacons work unaffected even at worst situations for GNSS like heavy storms, inside tunnels or parkings, under snow, ice or water, and roadbeacons deliver position information (at each indication point) at a higher precision than GNSS.
Other possible applications fall in the domain of indoor and outdoor intelligent signage, best arround risky or dangerous areas. Also for blind persons guiding and even as an alternative non military based technologly for positioning and georeference points.
We are currently talking with potential partners of the road sign industry interested in helping us reaching prospects for deploying roadbeacons or pilot cities and regions for implementing this safe technology.-- inventcat, Mar 27 2006 (?) RBS http://www.roadbeacon.comRoad Beacon System [inventcat, Mar 27 2006] //We are currently talking with potential partners of the road sign industry interested in helping us reaching prospects for deploying roadbeacons or pilot cities and regions for implementing this safe technology.// [inventcat]
So, baked then?-- methinksnot, Mar 28 2006 random, halfbakery