Smart Traffic Signs

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Smart Traffic Signs
I can communicate!

• By
• Salil S. Gokhale
• Preston DeFrancis

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Smart Traffic Signs

• Designing a Smart Traffic Sign
• Demonstrating a Working Prototype
• Enhancing the Concept

Think!
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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign
General problem Road signs do not always convey
information effectively

• 1. Inclement weather
• 2. Poor or infrequent placement
• 3. Stolen for dorm room decoration

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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Interstate Traffic Sign Problem

Bridge Structure Interstate Signs Cost about
300,000!
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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Solution a Smart Traffic Sign

• Transmits information over a wireless link
• Replaces or augments traditional road signs
• Delivers information directly inside a motor
  vehicle

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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Goal Deliver a prototype of a Smart Traffic Sign
  that

• Uses a 433.9.2 MHz radio frequency link
• Operates on power supplies available in
  cars(receiver) and near interstate signs
  (transmitter)
• Outputs information to driver on an illuminated
  LCD screen

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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• System-level architecture

Transmitter
Flash EEPROM
PIC on the modules
Stamp PIC
Receiver
Flash EEPROM
LCD display
PIC on the modules
Stamp PIC
Transmitter sends data serially to the receiver
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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Software components for Modules

Transmitter - Encodes information - Contains
Protocol Receiver - Decodes Information -
Contains protocol conversion program
- Includes LCD driver
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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Power Supplies
• Receiver Plugs into 12V DC supply of cars
  cigarette lighter
• Transmitter Uses 120 V AC supply of urban bridge
  structure signs

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Designing a Smart Traffic Sign

• Summary of Specifications

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Demonstrating a Working Prototype

• Packaging the Modules
• Receiver Small, user-friendly package that
  attaches with Velcro to cars
  dashboard
• Transmitter Weatherproof package enclosing
  power supply and module

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The First Car!
The 1995 Dodge Neon was the first car to have the
Smart Traffic Sign installed in it
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Demonstrating a Working Prototype

• Testing the modules in heavy snow

Approximate distance of operation 300 ft.
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Demonstrating a Working Prototype

• Testing the modules in clear weather

Approximate distance of operation 310 ft
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Demonstrating a Working Prototype

• Conclusions for test
• Weather conditions do not significantly impair
  performance
• Current minimum range is enough to transmit 3072
  characters at 9600 baud, more than enough for the
  demonstration

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Demonstrating a Prototype
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Demonstrating a Prototype

• Summary of Prototype
• Transmitter and receiver housed in appropriate
  packages
• Field tests verified the meeting of project goals
• Demonstration validated the real-world operation
  of the prototype

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Enhancing the Concept

• A second generation prototype will
• Provide more range increased receiver
  sensitivity allows better range from same
  transmitter power
• Decrease size of units new, smaller modules
  could make units more attractive

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Enhancing the Concept

• A second generation prototype will
• Use more sophisticated modulation improve
  resistance to noise
• Provide antenna flexibility Many types of
  antenna could provide directional transmission

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Enhancing a Concept

• Further Improvements
• Lane Specificity - provide lane-specific
  information, perhaps using a buried antenna
• User interface - Determine best method of getting
  information to driver

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Enhancing the Concept
Work has begun on the second generation model
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Enhancing the Concept

• Summary of Recommendations
• Build a second-generation prototype for increased
  performance
• Develop a method of providing lane specific
  information
• Research most effective user interfaces

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Acknowledgements
Professor Frank Merat, Project Technical
Advisor Professor Bob Gura, Project management
Advisor Professor Sreenath, Course Instructor
Dr. R.L. Mullen, Civil Engineering Advisor Brian
Leech Ted Square
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Smart Traffic Signs
I can communicate!
Demonstration!