Smart road technology already exists in road layouts worldwide, mainly in sub-surface inductive loops. They generally either monitor the speed of vehicles passing between two points, or trigger traffic lights.
While inductive loops make a difference, an all-optical version provides a more cost-effective system, capable of several simultaneous functions.
The advantages of fibre optic sensors
Some of the advantages of fibre optic sensing technology over the current system are:
- remote interrogation of sensing points
- better coverage and cost-effectiveness, with up to a hundred or more sensors on a single fibre
- reduced costs, using cheap components from the telecom industry
- passive operation, only no electrical components, and only using electrical power at the remote interrogation point
- the capability to provide cover over very large areas and long distances (up to 50km)
- immunity from electrical and magnetic interference
- improved reliability due to the simplicity and ruggedness of sensor design.
Where we can help
We have been working with fibre optic sensors in the defence industry for several years. That same expertise, experience and technological know-how also make a significant contribution to active traffic management (ATM).
For example, in 2001 we demonstrated our first multi-channel road traffic detection and WIM sensors.
The ultimate aim is to establish an all-optical sensing system that not only monitors traffic flow and performs high speed weigh-in motion (WIM) , but also monitors the integrity of the road and contributes to road maintenance programmes.
As well as expert advice and consultancy, our services include the design, modelling, development, assembly and testing of:
- fibre optic sensors
- the associated interrogation systems
- the fibre optic system architecture
- laboratory and field system trials.
Highways Agency interest in fibre optics
We are researching fibre optic cable as a traffic network monitoring device, for the UK government's Highways Agency. The work, which has the potential for cheaper and more reliable systems, includes:
- theoretical and experimental feasibility studies
- demonstrations
- the design, construction and testing of an experimental system
- deployment of an experimental system on a road at the Highways Agency test facility, to demonstrate its performance.
The future of fibre optic sensors
One of the key aims in the UK's Active Traffic Management programme, is to manage traffic congestion efficiently. That will require accurate and reliable measurements of traffic flow - a network of sensors, measuring traffic flow at regular intervals and feeding data back to a central processing point.
For the trunk road network this means the creation of a new high-density sensing infrastructure - and fibre optic sensing is an ideal candidate. Sensor design constantly breaks new ground as well. One of our latest designs is a sensor that's flattened out into a long thin strip. This design not only accommodates road camber better. It is also easier to transport, handle and install, and is cheaper and simpler to manufacture. |
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