Advanced accessible pedestrian system for signalized traffic intersections

Abstract

Pedestrian call systems with bidirectional communication between pedestrian call stations and traffic controllers are arranged so as to detect system errors. Communications can be provided over power conductors, and systems can be configured and monitored using a web browser. In one example, traffic systems are provided with Ethernet interfaces that can be used for bidirectional communication over power lines.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pedestrian call station, comprising:
 a pedestrian call switch operable in response to a request by a pedestrian;   a processor coupled to the pedestrian call switch and configured to communicate a traffic control request to a traffic controller in response to activation of the pedestrian call switch and to receive an acknowledgment of the traffic control request from the traffic controller.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network interface in communication with the processor, wherein the network interface is coupled to receive the acknowledgment of the traffic control request and communicate the traffic control request to the processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve at least one audio message from the memory and communicate an identifier associated with the retrieved audio message to the pedestrian management unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate an identifier associated with an audio message volume to the pedestrian management unit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to store an audio message received in a memory. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to adjust an audio message volume based on a time of day. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory coupled to the processor and operable to store audio messages associated WALK, WAIT, DON'T WALK, beacon destination, and beacon initiation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is operable to set an audio message volume. 
     
     
         9 . A pedestrian service request system, comprising:
 a pedestrian management processor;   a network interface coupled to the processor, wherein the network interface is operable to receive a request for service from a pedestrian call station and to transmit a traffic control request acknowledgment to the pedestrian call station.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the pedestrian management processor is operable to determine a traffic control status. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a network interface operable to define traffic control system parameters. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the network interface is operable to define audio message parameters for use by at least one traffic signal. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of pedestrian call stations, at least one of the pedestrian call stations including a network interface operable to transmit a signal identifier to the pedestrian management processor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the network interface is operable to receive an audio message, and the accessible pedestrian signal includes a memory configured to store the audio message. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the network interface is operable to transmit an audio message identifier to the pedestrian management processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the pedestrian management processor is operable to send a communication to a second pedestrian call station in response to the request for service, the communication including an instruction to play a beacon message. 
     
     
         17 . A pedestrian call method, comprising:
 generating a call for service from a pedestrian call station in response to a pedestrian request;   communicating the call for service to a traffic controller;   receiving at the pedestrian call station, an indication of traffic signal lights selected to provide the requested service;   playing an audio message associated with the requested service at the pedestrian call station; and   transmitting a verification that the audio message is being played to the traffic controller.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a first beacon message to the pedestrian call station;   playing the first beacon message at the pedestrian call station after the requested service indicated; and   transmitting a verification that the beacon message is being played to a pedestrian management processor.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 determining a destination associated with the requested service;   providing a second beacon message to a pedestrian call station associated with the destination and storing the second beacon message in the memory; and   playing the second beacon message at the pedestrian call station associated with the destination.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 determining a time of day; and   setting a volume for the audio message based on the time of day.