What is it about?
Knowledge of modern, state-of-the-practice traffic flow sensors provides traffic managers, researchers, and students an understanding of the operation, strengths, and limitations of current sensor technologies and enables them to make an informed decision as to which is appropriate for a particular application. Accordingly, this paper describes the intrusive and non-intrusive traffic flow sensor technologies in use today, their applications and selection criteria, and typical output data. As alternative traffic data and information sources, such as commercial data vendors, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sensing of smart phone locations, and connected and automated vehicle data become increasingly available, they are progressively finding their way into modern traffic management systems as a complement to conventional roadside sensors.
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Why is it important?
This article presents an up-to-date description of the operation and provides examples of sensors commonly used to monitor traffic flow on limited access highways and arterials. These sensors are used to detect incidents and provide real-time control of traffic signals.
Perspectives
The author has observed that many researchers and students refer to somewhat outdated information concerning traffic sensor operation. Accordingly, there is a need to provide an easily obtained and informed source for this vital material. This survey gives traffic management personnel, students, and researchers from the U.S. and world-wide access to current information concerning the operation and limitations of state-of-the-practice traffic flow sensors. In addition, it informs and aids traffic management agencies in their evaluation, selection, installation, and maintenance of the sensors. The display of test results for sensor models is minimized, especially for overhead- and side-mounted sensors, as the hardware and software for these are frequently updated, affecting the sensor’s performance. The paper is not meant to discuss experimental uses of low-cost sensors for vehicle and pedestrian detection, or sensors designed for other applications such as automated vehicle operation, vehicle diagnostics, driver assistance, or weigh-in-motion to name a few.
Dr Lawrence A Klein
University of California Los Angeles
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Roadside Sensors for Traffic Management, IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine, January 2024, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE),
DOI: 10.1109/mits.2023.3346842.
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