The spirit and scope of the Roadway Warning System patent simply provides that vehicles have an in-vehicle receiver to provide an audio announcement to operators alerting them that they are entering a "zone of risk" at an intersection. A method to mute the warning once it has been heeded is provided.

Zone of Risk

The "zone of risk" is an area defined in and around an intersection. The precise zone, based on intersection locations and roadway speed limit will be established and calibrated during product development.

Implementation

The Roadway Warning System patent provides flexibility to engineers "skilled in the art" in developing the best method of sending signals to the receiver. Two primary methods of sending signals are under consideration, although other methods may be developed during R&D.

GPS Method

This method uses existing Global Positioning System (GPS) signal technology. An in-vehicle receiver using GPS coupled with intersection mapping can provide all vehicle operators near an intersection with an announcement that the operator is in an intersection "zone of risk". Using this form of signal eliminates the need to interface with municipalities, thereby reducing implementation time and cost.

Directional Transmitter Method

This method uses directional transmitters at roadway intersections to send signals to vehicles entering the intersection "zone of risk". The directional transmitter will be integrated with the intersection visual device to provide the vehicle operator with the audio announcement.

Current development consideration favors the GPS method.