Network-based vehicle traffic signal control system
A feature-rich, improved vehicle traffic signal control system that uses network technology is provided herein. For example, the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may include a control box and light heads that include processors. The control box in the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may include fewer components and/or fewer wires extending therefrom as compared to a typical control box. In particular, the control box in the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may not include relays, a conflict monitor, or other similar components. Rather, the improved control box may simply include a controller that is coupled to various light heads via Ethernet cables. The Ethernet cables can carry electrical power, thereby providing power to the light heads. The light head processors can use network technology to control light activation, to perform conflict monitoring, to receive data from various sensors to adjust traffic flow, etc.
1. A system comprising:
a traffic control box comprising a controller; and
a first light head comprising a processor and a first light, wherein the first light head is coupled to the controller via a network connection, and wherein the processor is configured with computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to at least:
process a light head control message received from the controller;
process a first status message received from a second light head via the controller, wherein the first status message indicates that a second light is in a first configuration;
in response to reception of the first status message, determine that the first light should be transitioned to at least a second configuration based on the light head control message;
cause electrical power to pass through to the first light to cause the first light to transition to at least the second configuration;
generate a second status message indicating that the first light is in at least the second configuration; and
transmit the second status message to the second light head via the controller.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a button coupled to the controller, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, and wherein the first light head faces a second direction that is different than the first direction.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to at least:
process a third status message received from the button via the controller, wherein the third status message indicates that the sign is disabled; and
in response to reception of the first and third status messages, determine that the first light can be transitioned to at least the second configuration based on the light head control message.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a button coupled to the controller, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, and wherein the first light head faces the first direction.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the light head control message comprises an indication that the first light is in the first configuration a threshold period of time after transition, and wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to at least:
process a third status message received from the button via the controller, wherein the fourth status message indicates that the sign is enabled;
determine that the threshold period of time has expired;
determine that no status message indicating that the sign is disabled has been received from the button after reception of the third status message; and
determine not to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to at least:
process a fourth status message received from the button via the controller, wherein the fourth status message indicates that the sign is disabled; and
cause the electrical power to no longer pass through to the first light to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light head control message comprises one or more rules defining a condition under which the first light head can transition the first light into at least the second configuration.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first light head is coupled to the controller via a cable.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first light head is configured to receive the electrical power from the controller via the cable.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to receive the electrical power from the controller via a cable.
11. A computer-implemented method comprising:
as implemented by a first light head having one or more processors and a first light,
receiving a light head control message;
receiving a first status message from a second light head, wherein the first status message indicates that a second light is in a first configuration;
in response to reception of the first status message, determining that the first light should be transitioned into at least a second configuration based on the light head control message;
causing electrical power to pass through to the first light to transition the first light into at least the second configuration;
generating a second status message indicating that the first light is in the second configuration; and
transmitting the second status message to the second light head.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein determining that the first light can be transitioned into at least the second configuration based on the light head control message further comprises:
receiving a third status message from a button, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, wherein the first light head faces a second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the third status message indicates that the sign is disabled; and
in response to reception of the first and third status messages, determining that the first light can be transitioned into at least the second configuration based on the light head control message.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the light head control message comprises an indication that the first light is in the first configuration a threshold period of time after transition, and wherein the computer-implemented method further comprises:
receiving a third status message from a button, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, wherein the first light head faces the first direction, and wherein the third status message indicates that the sign is enabled;
determining that the threshold period of time has expired;
determining that no status message indicating that the sign is disabled has been received from the button after reception of the third status message; and
determining not to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving a fourth status message from the button, wherein the fourth status message indicates that the sign is disabled; and
cause the electrical power to no longer pass through to the first light to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein receiving a light head control message further comprises receiving the light head control message in response to a vehicle.
16. Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a first light head comprising a processor and a first light, cause the first light head to perform operations comprising:
processing a first status message received from a second light head, wherein the first status message indicates that a second light is in a first configuration;
in response to reception of the first status message, determining that the first light should be transitioned to at least a second configuration;
causing the first light head to transition the first light into at least the second configuration;
generating a second status message indicating that the first light is in at least the second configuration; and
transmitting the second status message to the second light head.
17. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 16 , wherein the first light head further performs operations comprising:
processing a third status message received from a button, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, wherein the first light head faces a second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the third status message indicates that the sign is disabled; and
in response to reception of the first and third status messages, determining that the first light can transition into at least the second configuration.
18. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 16 , wherein the first light head is configured to transition the first light out of the second configuration a threshold period of time after activating the first light head, and wherein the first light head further performs operations comprising:
processing a third status message received from a button, wherein the button, when activated, causes a sign to signal that an entity can cross a pathway in a first direction, wherein the first light head faces the first direction, and wherein the third status message indicates that the sign is enabled;
determining that the threshold period of time has expired;
determining that no status message indicating that the sign is disabled has been received from the button after reception of the third status message; and
determining not to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
19. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 18 , wherein the first light head further performs operations comprising:
processing a fourth status message received from the button, wherein the fourth status message indicates that the sign is disabled;
causing the electrical power to no longer pass through to the first light to transition the first light out of the second configuration.
20. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 16 , wherein the first light head receives the electrical power from a solar panel coupled to a pole to which the first light head is coupled.