[0001] The present invention refers to a system for signalling pedestrian crossings on the
paved surfaces of streets, and more particularly for signalling two directions of
crossing in order to divert the traffic on it towards the respective right-hand side
thereof, so that the confusion and the collison between the pedestrians coming from
both sides of the street are prevented.
[0002] There are known systems for signalling the paved surfaces of streets with the purpose
of establishing an area on which pedestrians may cross, known as "zebra crossings"
due to their conformation based on light coloured, preferably white, stripes.
[0003] A serious problem presented by this known system, specially in areas in which the
traffic becomes heavy, lies in that the pedestrians cross in a disorderly manner,
causing a collision between them. This situation not only causes the pedestrians to
be somewhat confused, but remarkably increases the time taken by them to cross from
one of the street to the other, so that the vehicular traffic is interrupted for a
longer period of time, and the obvious difficulties and risks involved therein are
produced.
[0004] Thus, the aim of the present invention is to develop a pedestrian crossing signalling
system which eliminates, or at least palliates, the said disadvantages. In accordance
with this invention, this is achieved inasmuch as the pedestrian crossings are provided
with at least two adjacent areas which, due to their special configuration, signal
to the pedestrians the preferred direction of crossing, wherefore at least two directions
of crossing are determined in adjacent areas of the pedestrian crossing.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said two directions of crossing are
marked out with a plurality of angular strips arreged orthogonally to the direction
or directions of vehicular traffic, the vertices of which are opposingly and transversally
oriented towards the street curbs.
[0006] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following
description taken in conjunction with non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference
to the accompanying, in which:
[0007] The drawing illustrates a plan view of a pedestrian crossing, signalled in accordance
with the system of the invention.
[0008] The street 1, having directions of vehicular traffic 2 and 3, is provided with a
pedestrian crossing 4 controlled or not by traffic lights, the width of which is delimited
by two braking strips 5 and 6 extending from each one of the curbs 7 and 8 of the
street 1 to approximately the centre thereof.
[0009] In the central part of the said pedestrian crossing 4, there are disposed a plurality
of zig-zag strips 9, the vertices 10 and 11 of which are oriented to each one of the
curbs 7 and 8 respectively of the street.
[0010] Additionally, there can be provided rectangular strips 12 and 13 having triangular
endings 14 which, emerged from the curbs 7 and 8 of the street 1, point towards the
concavities of the zig-zag strips 9.
[0011] In this manner, there are formed within the said pedestrian crossing 4, two adjacent
areas 15 and 16 extending to one side and the other of the street, always signalling
the preferred direction of pedestrian traffic, indicating a dual direction of crossing;
wherefore possible collisions between the pedestrians walking in one direction and
the other to cross the street 1 are prevented.
[0012] As it shall immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art, the said areas
15 and 16, determining the directions of traffic, could be marked with strips having
any configuration other than that proposed in the described embodiment, such as arrows
and the like.
[0013] Further, it must be mentioned that the said marking elements could be made on the
paved surface by means of painting, by means of adhesives, or any other suitable technique,
known or to become known.
[0014] Any embodiments introducing changes as to form, size, and materials or any non-fundamental
changes, as well as any embodiments resulting from routine technical studies of the
disclosure of the present invention, shall be understood as included within the scope
of the present invention.
1. System for signalling pedestrian crossings, based on signals arranged transversally
to the direction or directions of vehicular traffic (2,3) moving between the curbs
(7,8) of the street 1, adhered, printed or painted on its paved surface, characterised
in that the said pedestrian crossing (4) is provided with at least two like, adjacent
areas (15, 16) to divert the traffic on it towards the right-hand side thereof, the
said two adjacent areas (15, 16) being marked with opposed directions of crossing,
so that the collision between the pedestrians coming from both sides of the street
(1) is prevented; and in that the said two areas (15,16) are delimited at their non-common
sides, that is to say, the outer sides of the pedestrian crossing (4) by means of
marks (5,6) extending from the respective curb (7, 8) of the street (1) to approximately
the centre thereof.
2. System for signalling pedestrian crossings according to claim 1, characterised
in that the opposed directions of crossing provided in the said adjacent areas (15,16)
are preferably determined by means of a plurality of angular lines (9), the vertices
(10,11) of which are oriented to each one of the curbs (7,8) respectively of the street
(1).
