Sensys Stud Trial - Sensys Networks

Sensys Stud Trial
2. Introduction
2.1 Background
Inductive loops have been used as the primary method for detection vehicle presence on the
Auckland motorway network for a number of years. While the technology is accurate and
reliable it does come with a few disadvantages:
• They are easily damaged by resurfacing works.
• Installing them requires a significant cost in traffic management, and associated
disruption to the road user.
• The current inductive loops detector station only report back to a single system. This
leads to the use of two different sets of loops in the road surface.
A system that is not damaged by resurfacing, is easy to install and can communicate to both
the ATMS and SCATS systems would be an improvement to the current arrangement. The
Sensys studs offer all these advantages.
2.2 Technology Summary
The Sensys Wireless Vehicle Detection System can be used in traffic monitoring and
management applications as a direct replacement for conventional inductive loops. Like
inductive loops, Sensys wireless sensors can be located exactly where measurements are
required; whether it is at a specific through lane, turn lane, or entrance or exit ramp.
The Sensys Wireless Vehicle Detection System employs ruggedised in-pavement-mounted
magneto-resistive sensors to detect the presence and movement of vehicles. The Sensys
vehicle sensors are wireless, transmitting their real-time detection data via radio to a nearby
Sensys access point that then communicates the data to a local traffic controller, to a remote
traffic management system, or to both at once. The low-power circuitry gives an average
battery life of a sensor is 10 years. When power is getting low a message is sent allowing
planned replacements without outages.
A Sensys access point can collect detection data from many Sensys wireless sensors, either
directly from sensors within a range of approximately 45 meters (depending on the mounting
height of the access point) or from sensors supported by one or more Sensys repeaters that
are within a range of approximately 300 meters of the access point.
Detection data collected by the Sensys access point can then be provided via contact
closure interface to a roadside traffic controller or via IP (Internet Protocol) communications
over twisted pair, coaxial cable, fibre optic cable, or wireless services to central facilities or
via both data paths simultaneously.
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