Method and apparatus for determination and warning of potential violation of intersection traffic control devices

The present invention relates to a vehicle collision avoidance apparatus, and more particularly, to a vehicular method and apparatus for determining and warning of potential violations of intersection traffic control devices. The present invention relates to a system installed in a vehicle to: determine the location of the vehicle; identify each intersection as the vehicle approaches the intersection; determine the presence and type of traffic control device at that intersection; determine whether the traffic control device associated with the intersection, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, requires the vehicle to come to a complete stop; determine the acceleration required to stop the vehicle prior to its entry into the intersection; and, if the required acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold level, alert the driver, by means of an aural, visual and/or haptic indication, to brake the vehicle prior to its entry into the intersection. The system may also preempt driver control of the braking system and begin braking the vehicle automatically prior to its entry into the intersection. In another embodiment of the invention, the system may determine the phase of the traffic light via a communications channel between the vehicle and the traffic light; repetitively check to see if the vehicle is entering the intersection in contravention of the traffic light's indication and, if the vehicle does so begin to enter the intersection, then alert the driver, by means of an alarm or indication, to brake the vehicle prior to its entry into the intersection.