DE102011107881A1 - System for optimizing escape routes of emergency vehicle used in hospital, has control device which is provided for adjusting signaling devices at determined waypoints to optimize rescue of emergency vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (10) has a receiving device (12) which is provided for receiving continuous position data (14) of emergency vehicle (16). A determining unit (18) is provided for determining waypoints (20,22,24) based on the last received position data of emergency vehicle at specific time. A control device (26) is provided for adjusting signaling devices (28,30,32) at determined waypoints to optimize the rescue of the emergency vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a system for optimizing rescue routes for emergency vehicles according to claim 1.

Rescue operations in cities or on highways are often hampered and delayed by busy roads and closed roads, which could cause valuable time to be lost. Frequently, road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists perceive warning signals and lights of emergency vehicles such as the siren and the blue light only too late, and the direction from which the warning tones come is sometimes difficult for road users to make out. Therefore, there is a risk that additional heavy accidents may occur as a result of late or even non-existent use of emergency vehicles by road users.

In order to allow at least a problem-free exit of emergency vehicles from their bases such as a fire station or hospital, at the exits of some bases already traffic lights (traffic lights) are set up, the corresponding inserts for other road users on "no entry permit" (red light) and, for emergency vehicles, be switched to "traffic enabled" (green light) to allow the emergency vehicles to make a quick exit from their base. However, this does not solve the problem that on the way to the place of use, so the rescue route further obstruction of emergency vehicles may occur.

Object of the present invention is therefore to enable an optimization of rescue routes for emergency vehicles.

This object is achieved by a system for optimizing the escape routes for emergency vehicles with the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An idea underlying the invention is to optimize the traffic flow line on an emergency route of an emergency vehicle based on its position and possibly route, which can be determined with a global navigation satellite system GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). Based on the position and possibly the route of the emergency vehicle is recognized according to the invention, which waypoints such as traffic junctions are most likely to be passed by the vehicle soon. Based on this, automatic signaling systems such as traffic light systems and / or traffic control panels and / or other adjustable traffic control signals can be switched in such a way that emergency vehicles have "free travel" on their emergency route. Alternatively or additionally, other road users can also be informed by signal technology that an emergency vehicle is approaching, for example, an intersection and from which direction the vehicle is coming. Such a message can be realized for example in normal traffic lights by special flashing signals or for visually impaired people by a modified acoustic sound, as it is already generated in some pedestrian lights.

An embodiment of the invention now relates to a system for optimizing rescue routes for emergency vehicles
a receiving device for the continuous reception of position data of an emergency vehicle,
a determination device for determining waypoints which can be reached by the emergency vehicle on the basis of the last received position data of the emergency vehicle in the following times, and
a control device for setting signal systems at the determined waypoints for optimizing a rescue route of the emergency vehicle.

The system according to the invention can be installed, for example, in a traffic control center. The position data can be determined, above all, with a GNSS-based navigation device installed in the emergency vehicle. However, it is also possible to use other methods for determining the position with the invention, for example mobile-radio-based position determination methods. As signaling systems traffic control systems and / or warning systems can be controlled. It is only important that the signal systems for traffic control can be suitable and are adjustable, for example, be programmable or controllable from a distance.

The control device can be configured to set traffic light systems and / or traffic control panels and / or other adjustable traffic control signals such that the emergency vehicle is signaled free travel at the determined waypoints, as a result of which the emergency vehicle can possibly pass faster waypoints.

Furthermore, the control device can be configured to set signaling systems at the determined waypoints in such a way that traffic participants at the determined waypoints are visually and / or acoustically signaled the approaching emergency vehicle. This can reduce the risk that road users will not perceive approaching emergency vehicles and unintentionally create a waypoint for an emergency vehicle block or even cause an accident with the emergency vehicle.

The receiving device can also be designed to receive a calculated route of the emergency vehicle and the determination device can be designed to determine the waypoints on the basis of the calculated route. For example, a navigation device mounted in the emergency vehicle can transmit an already determined route to a place of deployment to the receiving device, which can then use the route to directly determine the waypoints to be traveled by the emergency vehicle, whereby the optimization of the rescue route can be better adapted to the actual route of the emergency vehicle.

The determination device can be configured to determine waypoints based on stored navigation data, which contain data on signaling systems at waypoints. For example, the determining device can determine, based on received position data of the emergency vehicle, where an emergency vehicle is located and in which direction it moves. On the basis of the stored navigation data, the detection device can then determine the lying in the direction of the emergency vehicle waypoints with signal systems. The navigation data can be stored, for example, in a special database, for example the database of a knowledge-based system, which can determine possible route and relevant waypoints by entering a position and direction of movement.

The determination device can also be designed to estimate the approximate time of the respective waypoint reaching the respective waypoint by the emergency vehicle based on the last received position data of the emergency vehicle for each determined waypoint, and the control device can be configured to detect at each determined waypoint signal systems at the respectively estimated approximate time for Set a predetermined period of time to optimize a rescue route of the emergency vehicle. Based on the last received position data, the approximate speed and direction of the emergency vehicle can be determined. Based on the speed and direction of travel, the detection device can estimate at what times waypoints can be reached by emergency vehicles. At the times thus determined, the control device can then switch, for example, traffic lights at the waypoints for a given period of time to "free travel" for the emergency vehicle and activate warning signal systems for the other road users. Depending on the speed and other parameters such as traffic density, the predefined time duration can be chosen such that it corresponds approximately to the time required by the emergency vehicle to pass the corresponding waypoint under the given traffic conditions.

The receiving device can also be designed to receive position data of the emergency vehicle directly by radio link from the emergency vehicle. For example, for the purpose of transmitting the position data, a radio communication provided specifically for the communication of emergency vehicles with control centers can be used. In this way, current position data of the emergency vehicle can be transmitted relatively quickly to the receiving device.

An emergency vehicle position tracking device may also be provided which continuously requests position data from the emergency vehicle and stores received position data with a receive time stamp, and the receiving device may be configured to receive position data of the emergency vehicle from the emergency vehicle position tracking device. The position tracking device, for example, in an active pull method periodically poll Posiitonsdaten of a navigation device in the emergency vehicle, for example via a data connection by radio, in particular an Internet connection of the navigation device by mobile phone. This makes it possible to use relatively inexpensive and widespread transmission paths and to keep the position data of the emergency vehicle in the system as current as possible.

Further advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the drawings, the terms and associated reference numerals used in the list of reference numerals recited below are used.

The drawings show in

1 an embodiment of a system for optimizing the escape routes for emergency vehicles according to the invention;

2 a scenario of a fire / ambulance operation in a city and the optimization of the rescue route with a system according to the invention; and

3 a scenario of a police operation on a highway and the optimization of the rescue route with a system according to the invention.

In the following description, identical, functionally identical and functionally connected elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. Absolute values are given below by way of example only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

In 1 is schematically a system 10 to optimize the emergency route of a rescue vehicle 16 on a road with bold lines 40 shown with several intersections. The emergency vehicle 16 moves on the horizontally running road in the direction indicated by the arrow to his (not shown) location. At the first left intersection 20 is a first traffic light system 28 , at the second middle intersection 22 is a second traffic light system 30 and at the right third intersection 24 is a third traffic light system 32 set up for traffic management. The traffic lights 28 . 30 and 32 can from the system 10 be remotely controlled.

The emergency vehicle 16 has a built-in (not shown) receiver for navigation signals from a GNSS 38 , with which the current position of the vehicle is continuously determined. The current position data determined in this way 14 can from one in the emergency vehicle 16 installed (not shown) radio communication device to the system 10 be transmitted.

The transfer of position data 14 to the system 10 This can be done in two different ways:
The radio communication device can actively actively periodically or continuously record the position data 14 to a receiving device 12 transmit via a direct radio link, in particular via a specially provided for rescue operations radio system.

Alternatively or additionally, an emergency vehicle position tracking device 36 of the system 10 periodically current position data 14 request from the emergency vehicle. For this purpose, the radio communication device, for example, build a data connection to the Internet and at the emergency vehicle position tracking device 36 register with his IP address. The device 36 can then periodically request data for updating position data via the data connection at predetermined times 14 to the radio communication device, which then polls the current vehicle position from a GNSS-based navigation device and to the emergency vehicle position tracking device 36 transmits over the data connection. The position data requested in this way 14 may be the emergency vehicle position tracking device 36 to the receiving device 12 via a wireless or wired communication connection. For this purpose, the radio communication device can be implemented, for example, by a smartphone which has a built-in GNSS-based navigation device and is programmatically configured such that it has an internet connection with the emergency vehicle position tracking device 36 can communicate. This allows a relatively inexpensive determination and transmission of the position data 14 to the system 10 be created.

Received position data 14 be from the receiving device 12 a determination device 18 provided for waypoints for further processing. The determination device 18 has access to a navigation database 34 containing digital map material with additional information, such as data on signaling at waypoints, in particular data on the traffic lights 28 . 30 and 32 at the crossroads 20 . 22 respectively. 24 ,

Starting from the last received position data 14 of the emergency vehicle 16 determines the device 18 using the navigation database 34 the intersections 20 . 22 and 24 as waypoints, in the next moments of the emergency vehicle 16 can be achieved, and set up the traffic lights there 28 . 30 respectively. 32 ,

The facility calculates to determine these waypoints 18 based on the last received position data 14 and the determination times of these data (those in the position data 14 may be included as a timestamp) the approximate speed and direction of the emergency vehicle 16 and determines future routes of the vehicle and all waypoints of these routes, and based on the approximate speed of the emergency vehicle, the approximate times when the waypoints are reached by the emergency vehicle. Alternatively, the receiving device 12 also directly one or more routes of the emergency vehicle 16 received, for example, from a GNSS-based navigation device of the vehicle 16 or from a rescue control center which either knows or specifies the route (s) of the vehicle. The routes thus received can be received by the receiving device 12 then the investigator 18 to provide.

Im in 1 scenario shown determines the determination device 18 starting from the position of the vehicle 16 at time t0 (see the timeline t below in 1 ) that the first intersection 20 at about time t1, the second intersection 22 at about time t2 and the third intersection 24 should be reached or happened at about time t3.

The determination device 18 Of course, when changing the route of the emergency vehicle 16 adapt the waypoints, ie already determined waypoints that are based on an outdated route or old position data, recycle and determine current waypoints.

The determination device 18 represents the direction of travel of the emergency vehicle 16 , the waypoints determined, ie the three intersections 20 . 22 and 24 and the traffic lights set up there 28 . 30 and 32 and the approximate times t1, t2 and t3 in the form of data records of a control device 26 for the traffic lights 28 . 30 and 32 to disposal.

The control device 26 then uses these data records to control the traffic lights as follows: At time t1, the first traffic light system is activated 28 switched such that the emergency vehicle 16 is signaled in its direction of travel "free ride", while the other road users whose direction of travel would cross the direction of travel of the vehicle "no entrance" in the first intersection 20 is signified. In addition or as an alternative to the traffic light systems, adjustable traffic control panels may be provided by the system 10 As the traffic lights are controlled and, for example, vehicles that should be on the way of the emergency vehicle, signal that approaching from behind an emergency vehicle, and thus these vehicles should not drive on the intersection and keep a corridor clear. An example with such traffic signs is in 3 shown and described below.

This circuit of the first traffic light system can either be for a given period of time, which depends on the approximate speed of the emergency vehicle 16 is determined, or until reaching the site by the emergency vehicle 16 (see also the following description of in 2 shown scenarios) remain until the control device 26 returns to the original switching mode. This traffic light circuit is the same at time t2 at the second intersection 22 with the second traffic lights 30 and at time t3 at the third intersection 24 with the third traffic lights 32 carried out.

The following are now based on the 2 and 3 further scenarios for the use of the invention explained.

The scenario of 2 shows a rescue operation (fire brigade, police or ambulance) in a city with many intersections with traffic lights. The course of the rescue operation and the mode of operation of the system according to the invention in this application will be briefly explained below:
First, a rescue control center receives an emergency call and transmits a location to the emergency vehicle 16 and the optimization system 10 , A navigation system in the emergency vehicle 16 communicates with the system 10 and transmits the calculated route (dynamically changeable, communication remains) and current position (data 14 ). The following steps are performed iteratively until the place of application is reached: The system 10 calculated based on the current position, speed and route of the emergency vehicle 16 which critical waypoints 20 . 22 and 24 (Intersections, crossings, driveways, ...) in the next times t0 + x or t0 + 2x be reached by the emergency vehicle. The system switches the traffic lights / control panels 28 . 30 and 32 at these next critical points t0 + x (traffic lights / control panels 28 and 30 ) and t0 + 2x (traffic light / control panel 32 ) to the specified flashing / acoustic signals or signs / texts, whereby the road users are warned at these waypoints, from which direction the emergency vehicle 16 approaches. Has the emergency vehicle 16 a critical waypoint 20 . 22 or 24 happens, the system turns off 10 the signals off again. If the emergency vehicle 16 reached the site, the optimization is complete. Possible return paths, which are equivalent to an assignment (eg transport to the hospital), run as a new scenario by the system in the emergency vehicle the system 10 notifies the new location.

The navigation system in the emergency vehicle 16 It can also be just a transmitter that shows the current position of the vehicle 16 to the system 10 transmitted. Then the system needs 10 all possible route of the emergency vehicle depending on the position and destination 16 calculate and dependently determine the next waypoints. A compromise between security and superfluous circuitry should be found. One way to do this is knowledge-based systems.

In 3 Now another scenario is shown that concerns a police operation on the highway.

The police car 16 gets a job site on the highway. A navigation system in the car 16 Determines a route to the site and shares it with the optimization system 10 with (route and position data 14 ). The system 10 switches at a first and a second waypoint 21 respectively. 23 a first or second traffic control board 29 respectively. 31 between the nearest connection point and the place of use in the corresponding direction (s) of the vehicle 16 such that road users are nourishing police cars 16 and the clearing of a rescue corridor or a rescue lane on the highway is signaled. As a result, road users located on this route are warned that they are approaching an emergency vehicle from behind and that they should release the signaled rescue corridor or the lane.

In particular, the following advantages can be achieved by the present invention:
Emergency vehicles can receive a safer "green wave", warning the road users ahead of time and clearing the way accordingly (eg clear the corridors on highways, in the city clearing the intersection, ...). All road users can be warned. The emergency vehicle itself is also alerted when another emergency vehicle approaches and crosses its path.

Possible additional accident hazards due to panic reactions of the road users, who perceive the current warning signs of emergency vehicles late, can be avoided.

To realize warnings with the system according to the invention, existing hardware can be used or extended, for example by special acoustic / flashing signals. The signals and their explanation can be published by the usual communication channels.

The system according to the invention can also be connected to a traffic monitoring, so that even increased traffic load in the rush hour and thus congestion and related environmental and noise pollution can be avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Escape route optimization system

12

Position data receiving means

14

position data

16

emergency vehicle

18

determining device

20, 21

first waypoint

22, 23

second waypoint

24

third waypoint

26

control device

28

first traffic light

29

first traffic control board

30

second traffic light system

31

second traffic control board

32

third traffic light system

34

Navigation database

36

Emergency vehicle location tracking device

38

GNSS

40

Road with intersections

Claims (8)

System ( 10 ) for optimizing escape routes for emergency vehicles with a receiving device ( 12 ) for the continuous reception of position data ( 14 ) of an emergency vehicle ( 16 ), an investigator ( 18 ) for determining waypoints ( 20 . 22 . 24 ; 21 . 23 ), which can be reached from the emergency vehicle on the basis of the last received position data of the emergency vehicle at the next times, and a control device ( 26 ) for setting signaling equipment ( 28 . 30 . 32 ; 29 . 31 ) at the determined waypoints for optimizing a rescue route of the emergency vehicle. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device ( 26 ), traffic signal installations ( 28 . 30 . 32 ) and / or traffic signs ( 29 . 31 ) and / or other adjustable traffic control signals such that the emergency vehicle ( 16 ) at the determined waypoints ( 20 . 22 . 24 ; 21 . 23 ) is signaled a free ride. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device ( 26 ) is configured to set signaling systems at the determined waypoints such that road users at the determined waypoints the approaching emergency vehicle is visually and / or acoustically signaled. System according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the receiving device ( 12 ) for receiving a calculated route of the emergency vehicle and the determining device ( 18 ) are designed to determine the waypoints based on the calculated route. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determining device ( 18 ), waypoints based on stored navigation data ( 34 ) containing data on signaling facilities at waypoints. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determining device ( 18 ) is formed, based on the last received position data ( 14 ) of the emergency vehicle ( 16 ) for each waypoint determined ( 20 . 22 . 24 ) estimate the approximate time (t1, t2, t3) of the arrival of the respective waypoint by the emergency vehicle, and the control device ( 26 ) is formed at each determined waypoint ( 20 . 22 . 24 ) Signal systems ( 28 . 30 . 32 ) at the respective estimated approximate time (t1, t2, t3) for a predetermined period of time to optimize a rescue route of the emergency vehicle. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device ( 12 ), position data ( 14 ) of the emergency vehicle ( 16 ) directly by radio from the emergency vehicle to receive. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an emergency vehicle position tracking device ( 36 ) is provided, the continuous position data ( 14 ) of the emergency vehicle ( 16 ) and receives received position data with a receive time stamp, and the receiving device ( 12 ), position data of the emergency vehicle from the emergency vehicle position tracking device ( 36 ) to recieve.

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