On-board-detectable passive pavement marking

Abstract

Various embodiments of detectable passive markings are disclosed for application to a roadway pavement surface. Also disclosed are a system and method, using the markings, for warning cross-traffic on a roadway not having the right of way at an intersection of approaching traffic on a roadway that has the right-of-way at the intersection.

1 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface comprising: a material applied to the roadway pavement surface, and one or more passive RF tags enclosed by the material applied to the roadway pavement surface.  
   
   
       2 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a paint.  
   
   
       3 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a synthetic, such as plastic.  
   
   
       4 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface as set forth in  claim 3  wherein one or more passive RF tags are disposed between layers of the synthetic.  
   
   
       5 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface as set forth in  claim 3  wherein one or more passive RF tags are disposed on a surface of the synthetic that confronts the roadway pavement surface.  
   
   
       6 . A detectable passive marking disposed on a roadway pavement surface as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the synthetic has a length noticeably greater than its width so as to form a stripe of the roadway pavement surface.  
   
   
       7 . A system for warning cross-traffic on a roadway not having the right of way at an intersection of approaching traffic on a roadway that has the right-of-way at the intersection, the system comprising one or more passive RF tags disposed on the roadway having the right-of-way in advance of the intersection, a detector in a vehicle on the roadway having the right-of-way for detecting the one or more passive RF tags, and a radio transmitter in the vehicle on the roadway having the right-of-way for broadcasting a short range radio signal upon detecting the one or more passive RF tags over a range sufficient to be received by a radio receiver in a vehicle that is on the roadway not having the right-of-way and is either stopped at or approaching the intersection.  
   
   
       8 . A method for warning cross-traffic on a roadway not having the right of way at an intersection of approaching traffic on a roadway that has the right-of-way at the intersection, the method comprising: 
 in the vehicle on the roadway having the right-of-way, detecting the presence of one or more passive RF tags disposed on the roadway having the right-of-way in advance of the intersection;    and upon detecting the one or more passive RF tags, broadcasting from the vehicle a short range radio signal over a range sufficient to be received by a vehicle that is on the roadway not having the right-of-way and is either stopped at or approaching the intersection.    
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  including receiving the short range radio signal in a vehicle that is on the roadway not having the right-of-way and is either stopped at or approaching the intersection, and upon such receipt, issuing a warning to a driver of the latter vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  including receiving the short range radio signal in a vehicle that is on the roadway not having the right of way and is either stopped at or approaching the intersection, and upon such receipt, causing wheel brakes of the latter vehicle to be applied.