Traffic safety alert system

Abstract

An apparatus for providing traffic alerts includes a distance module, analysis module, transmission module, and signaling module. The distance module measures the distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle. The analysis decides whether to signal a presence of the object that comprises determining that the measured distance is equal to or less than a threshold distance. The transmission module transmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object. The signaling module transmits a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert from the transmission module. The visual signal has one or more characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a distance module that measures a distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle on a roadway;   an analysis module that decides whether to signal a presence of the object, wherein deciding whether to signal the presence of the object comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to a threshold distance;   a transmission module that transmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object; and   a signaling module transmitting a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert, the visual signal having one or more characteristics, wherein the signal module transmitting a visual signal to the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visual indicator on the rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator being separate from brake lights of the vehicle, and wherein the visual indicator indicates the distance between the vehicle and the object;   wherein at least a portion of the distance module, the analysis module, the transmission module, and the signaling module comprise one or more of hardware and executable code, the executable code stored on one or more computer readable storage media.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a speed module that measures a velocity of the vehicle;   wherein the analysis module deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greater than a threshold velocity.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising
 a weight module that measures a weight of the vehicle; and   an estimation module that calculates a minimal braking distance of the vehicle by taking into account the weight and velocity of the vehicle;   wherein the analysis module deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to the minimal braking distance.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising
 an orientation module that measures a grade of the roadway;   wherein the estimation module calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes into account the grade of the roadway.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising
 a friction detection module that measures a surface friction of the roadway;   wherein the estimation module calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes into account the surface friction of the roadway.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the alert has an intensity and the one or more characteristics of the visual signal corresponds to the intensity of the alert. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal module further transmits an audio signal to the one or more vehicles, the audio signal having one or more characteristics. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the alert has an intensity and the one or more characteristics of the audio signal corresponds to the intensity of the alert. 
     
     
         10 . A method for providing traffic alerts comprising:
 measuring a distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle on a roadway;   deciding whether to signal a presence of the object, wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to a threshold distance;   transmitting an alert in response to deciding to signal a presence of the object; and   transmitting a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert, the visual signal having one or more characteristics, wherein transmitting a visual signal to the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visual indicator on the rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator being separate from brake lights of the vehicle, and wherein the visual indicator indicates the distance between the vehicle and the object.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising
 measuring a velocity of the vehicle;   wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greater than a threshold velocity.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising
 measuring a weight of the vehicle; and   calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle by taking into account the weight and velocity of the vehicle;   wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to the minimal braking distance.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 measuring a grade of the roadway;   wherein calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes into account the grade of the roadway.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 measuring a surface friction of the roadway;   wherein calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes into account the surface friction of the roadway.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alert has an intensity and the one or more characteristics of the visual signal corresponds to the intensity of the alert. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product for providing traffic alerts, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable/executable by a processor to cause the processor to:
 measure a distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle on a roadway;   decide whether to signal a presence of the object, wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to a threshold distance;   transmit an alert in response to deciding to signal a presence of the object; and   transmit a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert, the visual signal having one or more characteristics, wherein transmitting a visual signal to the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visual indicator on the rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator being separate from brake lights of the vehicle, and wherein the visual indicator indicates the distance between the vehicle and the object.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , the program instructions further causing the processor to measure a velocity of the vehicle, wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greater than a threshold velocity. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , the program instructions further causing the processor to
 measure a weight of the vehicle; and   calculate a minimal braking distance of the vehicle by taking into account the weight and velocity of the vehicle;   wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal to the minimal braking distance.   
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the alert has an intensity and the one or more characteristics of the visual signal correspond to the intensity of the alert.