Traffic-control device

Abstract

A traffic control method and device, wherein an optical illusion of a pothole is applied to a roadway to create the appearance of a real pothole. Drivers encountering the illusory pothole will reflexively slow down, thinking it to be real.

1 . A traffic control device comprising a portion of a roadway having at least one visually perceptible feature applied thereon, said at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole.  
   
   
       2 . The traffic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole is painted on the roadway.  
   
   
       3 . The traffic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole is applied on a mat for placement on the roadway.  
   
   
       4 . The traffic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole is applied between a middle portion and an edge portion of a designated lane of traffic on the roadway.  
   
   
       5 . A traffic control device comprising a mat for placement on a roadway, said mat having at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole applied thereon.  
   
   
       6 . The traffic control device of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of said mat has a thickness sufficient to cause the sensation of a bump as a vehicle traverses the device.  
   
   
       7 . The traffic control device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole comprises a photographic image of an actual pothole applied on said mat.  
   
   
       8 . A method of controlling vehicle speed along a roadway, said method comprising applying a traffic control device to a roadway, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one visually perceptible feature applied thereon, said at least one visually perceptible feature simulating the appearance of a pothole to oncoming traffic.