Automatic Safety Alert System for Work Zones with Flag Operators
Principal Investigator:
Rajesh Rajamani, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Project Summary:
Directional sound can be used as a warning signal to communicate that failure to follow an indicated action could result in serious accidents. In some applications, such as to alert a vehicle that is likely to intrude into a highway construction work zone, long distance auditory warnings are necessary. In such cases, directed sound could be utilized to warn the specific vehicle without disturbing other vehicles on the highway. This study reviewed currently available scientific technologies that could potentially be used to develop a long distance auditory warning system for highway work zone applications. Of these, ultrasound-based parameter arrays and time-delay-controlled arrays of compact ordinary speakers were taken up for detailed analysis and experimental evaluation. An ultrasound-based parametric array is the most appropriate technology for generating highly directional sound. However, if cost, installation, maintenance, and price are considered, the most suitable technology is found to be arrays of flat-panel loudspeakers with time delay control. Such a system can be used to generate directional sound effectively for long distance auditory warnings.
Sponsors:
- ITS Institute (RITA)
Project Details:
- Start date: 07/2007
- Project Status: Completed
- Research Area: Transportation Safety and Traffic Flow