Signal-free roadway interchange

Abstract

Taught herein is a signal-free roadway interchange, comprising a plurality of longitudinal lanes and a plurality of transverse lanes intersecting the longitudinal lanes; wherein an intersection between the longitudinal lane and the transverse lane is grade-separated, one of the longitudinal lane and the transverse lane ascends gradually at first, crosses a lane perpendicular thereto, and descends gradually to form a viaduct; a plurality of right-turn lanes are disposed at four corners of the intersection, for connecting to the transverse lanes or longitudinal lanes perpendicular thereto; a plurality of pedestrian bridges crossing the longitudinal lanes and the transverse lanes are disposed at four outer corners of the intersection; and a pair of pedestrian channels respectively parallel to the longitudinal lanes and the transverse lanes connect every two opposite pedestrian bridges. The signal-free roadway interchange does not need signal lights, and enables vehicles and pedestrians to pass separately without stoppage, which greatly improves the traffic condition, and reduces fatalities caused by traffic accidents.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200610060196.9 filed on Apr. 5, 2007 and Chinese Patent Application 200710006847.0 filed on Jan. 31, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to an interchange, and particularly to a signal-free roadway interchange. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Conventionally, traffic signals are used to regulate the flow of traffic at intersections. However, it is has been proven that an intersection with traffic signals has many disadvantages: firstly of all, traffic utilization is greatly reduced due to a fact that as a red light switches to a green light, 50% of vehicles on the road have to stop and wait, which causes 25% of roads to be vacant. Moreover, both vehicles and pedestrians are prone to get impatient and commit traffic violation after long pe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a signal-free roadway interchange that enables vehicles and pedestrians to pass separately without any stoppage, so as to improve the traffic condition, and to reduce fatalities caused by traffic accidents.

[0027] The interchange of the present invention provides the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0029] b. the invention facilitates direct movement, right-turn, and left-turn of vehicles without crossing;

[0030] c. the grade-separated intersection of the invention avoids conventional crossing of two-way lanes or four-way lanes;

[0032] e. vehicles may travel freely without stoppage and signals;

[0034] g. the invention is easy for construction, and thus, cost spent thereon is significantly reduced.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is has been proven that an intersection with traffic signals has many disadvantages: firstly of all, traffic utilization is greatly reduced due to a fact that as a red light switches to a green light, 50% of vehicles on the road have to stop and wait, which causes 25% of roads to be vacant.

Moreover, both vehicles and pedestrians are prone to get impatient and commit traffic violation after long period of waiting, which may directly increase the number of traffic accidents.

Images