Vehicle braking apparatus system and method

摘要

A vehicle braking apparatus, system and method is provided including electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone. The braking apparatus receives signals emitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake. A manual actuator is also configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.

主权项

1. A vehicle braking method comprising:
establishing compliant criteria for the position and velocity of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic light, wherein the traffic light is capable of indicating various statuses, and the compliant criteria vary based upon the status of the traffic light; providing a plurality of electromagnetic loops, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic loops are located on or under a roadway near the intersection controlled by the traffic light; detecting a vehicle approaching the intersection, wherein the vehicle is detected via electromagnetic variance in at least one of the electromagnetic loops as the vehicle electromagnetically interacts with the at least one of the electromagnetic loops; providing an automated traffic control device linked to each electromagnetic loop of the plurality of electromagnetic loops and to the traffic light, wherein the automated traffic control device is configured to calculate the position and velocity of the detected vehicle in relation to the current status of the traffic light and to determine whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the current status of the traffic light, is safely within the established compliant criteria for the current status of the traffic light; transmitting braking control signals from at least one of the electromagnetic loops, wherein the braking control signals are initiated by the automated traffic control device if the condition of the vehicle is determined to be unsafe in relation to the compliant criteria established for the current status of the traffic light; and receiving the control signals, by the vehicle, to remotely initiate braking of the vehicle so that the vehicle decelerates predictably in relation to the current status of the traffic light.