Vehicle traffic system and method

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the flow of vehicle traffic. The system of the invention includes a grid of one-way streets, and a one-way ramp near each street intersection. Each ramp allows only a right-turn at an intersection. Preferably, each intersection is an overpass intersection, so that each street directs vehicles not making a right-turn at an intersection over or under the intersecting street. Preferably, the system also includes a traffic monitoring subsystem, including one or more velocity sensor stations positioned along the streets, and a processor for processing the output of each velocity sensor station to determine the average speed of vehicles translating past the velocity sensor station. Preferably, each velocity sensor station includes at least two magnetic sensors embedded in the street surface. Each magnetic sensor outputs a signal in response to proximity of a passing vehicle. An average vehicle velocity is determined from one or more sets of sensor output signals, each set generated in response to a different vehicle. Preferably, a velocity sensor station is provided downstream of each ramp, average velocity signals are generated from several velocity sensor stations positioned at consecutive identically-directed streets and are converted into form for display, and the converted signals are displayed on a display device mounted along a first street intersecting the identically-directed streets, to enable one in a vehicle translating along the first street to make an intelligent decision about which of several consecutive right turns to take.