Precise Traffic Monitoring Lidar Ensures Safe Roads

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Increasing traffic volumes can be monitored using Lidar. The system detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists with centimeter precision. Superfluous data is minimized. Additionally, Lidar systems are cost-effective and low-maintenance. When integrated into platforms, cities and traffic planners can build safer and more efficient traffic systems.

The first traffic light in the world was installed on December 10, 1868, at Parliament Square in London, United Kingdom. For over 150 years, cities and states have been investing in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to make road traffic not only safer but also more efficient. In the USA alone, traffic congestion, measured in hours of annual delay, increased by 144% between 1993 and 2017 in the 100 largest metropolitan areas, far outpacing the population growth in these regions. Traffic congestion remains a persistent issue worldwide. More precise, scalable, and data-rich developments are necessary to better develop traffic infrastructure.

Traffic is monitored with Lidar systems

Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is now a key component of advanced traffic systems and forms the basis for precise traffic monitoring, efficient traffic management, and improved safety on roads, intersections, and highways. The laser beams emitted by a Lidar create detailed 3D maps of the surroundings. In ITS applications, this provides insights into vehicle movements, pedestrian behavior, and road usage patterns.

Unlike cameras, Lidar is not affected by unfavorable lighting or weather conditions such as glare, heavy rain, snow, fog, or complete darkness. Compared to radar and induction loops, Lidar also offers precise centimeter-accurate detection and the ability to clearly classify different road users such as cars, trucks, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Thanks to its precision, Lidar is an indispensable tool for intelligent transportation systems (ITS). It provides a secure and privacy-friendly solution for traffic monitoring and incident detection, thereby improving overall traffic safety.

Technical data and facts

Traditionally, rotating lidar systems have been used in ITS, offering a 360-degree field of view. While it is intriguing to have a complete view of the surroundings, these systems often come with drawbacks. They consume more energy, often generate noisy or redundant data, and struggle with limited vertical resolution. Therefore, they are hardly suitable for use on highways, where range and high accuracy are necessary. Additionally, the mechanical parts require maintenance.

Advantages of the directional Lidar system

In contrast, with a directional Lidar, the field of view is focused on specific areas:

• Targeted coverage: Directional Lidars focus their laser pulses on a selected zone, such as lanes or intersections, to minimize irrelevant data and maximize detection accuracy.
• Higher data quality: They provide better point cloud density and vertical resolution, enabling precise object detection and tracking, even for fast or small objects.
• Efficient data processing: By focusing on relevant areas, data processing can be faster and with less effort, which is crucial for real-time traffic management.
• Energy and cost efficiency: They are less maintenance-intensive and require less energy as they feature a solid design without moving parts.
• Seamless integration: Their compact design allows easy integration into existing infrastructures and high scalability for widespread use.

As intelligent transportation systems evolve, systems are needed that cover all aspects from sensing to data analysis. Manufacturer Seyond offers SIMPL, a Lidar-based platform to process traffic data in real time. This supports cities and traffic authorities in making informed decisions, thus ensuring greater safety on the roads.

The Lidar models Falcon and Robin W

The core components are the Falcon and Robin W Lidar models. These offer capabilities in detection and classification:

• Seyond Falcon K: Specifically designed for highways, it offers a range of up to 250 meters and precise performance under sunlight with a wavelength of 1,550 nm.
• Seyond Robin W: Designed for broader coverage and precise pedestrian detection, ideal for dense urban scenarios with minimal blind spots.

An intelligent traffic system should no longer just detect hazards but proactively anticipate potential risks. With directional Lidar and platforms like SIMPL, safer and more efficient road networks become possible. (heh)