This document discusses portable non-intrusive traffic sensors used by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. It summarizes several sensor types: dual sensor and single sensor NILAD devices that detect axles without needing to enter the roadway; TIRTL infrared sensors that also detect axles but need software improvements; using existing ITS loops by tapping into loop racks; microloops under bridges; and radar sensors with a motorized angle adjustment or mounted on a telescopic flag pole or solar-powered cabinet. The sensors allow collecting traffic data without the safety risks of working in the roadway.

1. Use of Portable
Non-Intrusive Sensors
in Kentucky
NATMEC 2004
San Diego, California
June 27-30, 2004
Dan Inabnitt, CPM
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

2. Kentucky’s First
Non-Intrusive Traffic
Counting Device

3. … and we still
use it.

4. congestion
incident
management

5. A count is not worth getting injured!
In the United States, 120 to 130 workers die
each year in road construction activities.
Of this total, approximately 23% of the
fatalities are due to pedestrian workers
being struck by traffic vehicles.
Source: The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
SAFETY

6. Axle Detection
– NILAD
– TIRTL
Vehicle Detection
– ITS & Other Loops
– Under Bridge Micro Loops
– Radar
• Motorized Angle Adjustment
• Telescopic Flag Pole
• Solar Cabinet
OVERVIEW

7. Axle Detection
1
1
1
1 1
11

8. Dual sensor Single sensor
NILAD -
Non-Intrusive Laser Axle Detector

9. Do not have to get in roadway
Accurate axle detection
Individual lane detection
Road crown a problem
Sensor only
NILAD Features

10. Detects axles
Used in pairs, one
on each side of
roadway
Individual lane
detection
Infrared
Low power
GPS onboard
Cell modem on board
TIRTL -The Infra-Red Traffic Logger
Needs software
enhancements for lane
filtering, display, etc.
Needs method to
mount securely for
portable use
A lot of promise

11. Vehicle Detection
1
1

12. Loops that were
originally installed for
ITS or other use
(signals, ramp
metering etc.)
Wire into loop rack in
existing cabinet
Contact closure
board on counter
Use normal software
and processing
procedures for data
reduction
ITS and other loops
Not really non-intrusive, but WE did not have to get in the road!
Move counter from
site to site
Power is available
No need to wait on
ITS folks to give you
data
Collect only what you
need (24, 48 hours,
7 days, etc.)
You KNOW that all
lanes are working!
Can be complicated!
You have to know
what you are doing!

13. Don’t have to get in roadway
Easy one person set up
No boring, drilling or ditching!
We did not have a lot of time
to work with this technology
but it shows promise
Micro-loops under bridge

14. Smartsensor
and
RTMS
Portable Use
RADAR

15. DC Gear-motor Angle Adjustment
$30 gear-motor (25 rpm, 12 VDC)
Turnbuckle, threaded hook,
screws, line clamps & misc.
2 inch piece of road tube
Grinding, drilling, soldering, etc.
DPDT-center off toggle switch
Flat lamp cord

16. DC Gear-motor Angle Adjustment

17. 7’ retracted length
20’ fully extended
5’ antenna mast added to top
Cost under $300
Lightweight
One person setup
Wire at top to help with stability
Telescopic Flag Pole

18. Rigid conduit coupling
2 beam clamps
Nuts welded to heads of
bolts for padlock use
Slots cut for hose clamp
Telescopic Flag Pole “I” Beam Attachment

19. Minimum amount of tools
and equipment
Clamps and locks to “I”
beam signposts
Can be carried in small
pickup or even in car
Telescopic Flag Pole

20. Height adjustment accomplished by
using 5’ sections
Flag mounting accessory strapped on
pole at base
U-shaped bracket to add stability at top
of pole
Use of wire connected to top and then
wrapped around pole to add stability
Antenna Masts

21. Solar panels mounted to battery storage
box with additional equipment inside
Larger box has room for supplies, sensor
cable and sensor to be transported
Solar Cabinet

22. Axle Detection
– NILAD
– TIRTL
Vehicle Detection
– ITS & Other Loops
– Under Bridge Micro Loops
– Radar
• Motorized Angle Adjustment
• Telescopic Flag Pole
• Solar Cabinet
SUMMARY

23. Thank
You