Applied Information, Inc., the leading provider of intelligent transportation infrastructure technology, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company a patent covering its technology that uses both cellular network and direct radio communication to control traffic signals.
U.S. Patent 11,055,991 entitled Systems, Methods, and Devices for Communication Between Traffic Controller Systems and Mobile Transmitters and Receivers provides for changing the state of one or more traffic signals using both cellular communications and direct radio signals from a vehicle.
The technology can be used to provide first responders with automatic green lights at intersections, thus reducing response times by about 18 percent. Current use of the technology involves fire apparatus, ambulances, snowplows and police vehicles, and is deployed in cities in the U.S. and Canada.
“This patent is another validation of our pioneering use of dual-mode communications for Connected Vehicle technology in areas that require reliable performance and high security,” said Bryan Mulligan, President of Applied Information, Inc. “We see the value of the technology every day on the streets as it provides first responders with a safer and faster response to help people in need.”
The patent also covers the use of providing green light priority to other vehicles such as transit and school buses and delivery vans. Properly equipped automobiles can communicate that they have arrived at a red light providing the traffic signal controller with additional information to reduce wait times.
