At the ITS World Congress in Dubai last month Sensys Networks showcased its RTMS Echo – the latest addition to its portfolio of products specializing in traffic detection and management. It also announced at the event that this technology would be integrated into its SensTraffic management suite. Here we take a closer look at how RTMS Echo works
Radar technology has long been a cornerstone of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), providing a mature, well-vetted and trusted solution for traffic management. In fact, radar’s use for traffic detection dates back to the late 1970s and has since evolved into a sophisticated tool for ITS professionals.
Radar traffic detection is exceptionally well-suited for various applications due to several inherent benefits. The side-fire configuration, for instance, allows radar devices to be installed on the side of roadways, often without lane closures, simplifying the deployment process and minimizing traffic disruption. Additionally, radar systems do not require in-pavement cutting or trenching, preserving road integrity and reducing installation time and costs. Unlike video detection, radar technology is not affected by weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or glare ensuring consistent performance.
Next-generation features
RTMS Echo, a next-generation radar solution from Sensys Networks, can detect up to 12 lanes of traffic, making it a more efficient and cost-effective solution for count and classification stations compared to multiple single-lane loops.
RTMS Echo’s versatility and advanced features make it especially ideal for a range of unique traffic management applications. The device can be mounted with zero-setback distance from the closest lane, enabling more flexible installation locations such as medians, bridges or tunnels where no shoulder exists.
RTMS Echo also delivers the most precise speed measurements and accurate timestamps, thanks to integrated GPS, providing greater confidence in the data collected. Plus, no software is needed since RTMS Echo can be configured and aimed using any web browser, and built-in Wi-Fi means setup can be easily performed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The simplicity of deploying this solution is a game-changer for traffic professionals.
RTMS Echo represents a leap forward in capability as an efficient all-in-one traffic data device
Real-world applications
In Wisconsin, RTMS Echo was chosen due to its zero-setback capability. It was deployed to monitor inside median shoulders for Flex Lanes. Known as dynamic part-time shoulder use, Flex Lanes utilize shoulders as extra lanes for temporary travel during peak traffic times and rush hours.
The system’s ability to accurately measure lane occupancy and individual vehicle speed enhances the management of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, ensuring optimal traffic flow and revenue generation. For example, in Virginia real-time data from a network of RTMS Echo devices has been crucial for dynamically adjusting toll rates on I-64 express lanes to offer a safer and more reliable travel option.
Speed and lane occupancy data can also be used to adjust speed limits on the fly via dynamic messaging signs, preventing collisions on high-risk stretches of highways, tunnels, or bridges during congestion or adverse weather. In other instances, RTMS Echo’s real-time mainline monitoring capabilities facilitate efficient ramp metering, helping to control vehicle flow onto highways and reduce congestion. In all these examples, RTMS Echo delivers accurate and reliable all-weather per-vehicle detection across all lanes of travel at each location.
Andy Thoms, sales engineering manager for Sensys Networks, with over 25 years of experience working with ITS professionals designing, deploying, and training on the RTMS radar product line, highlights, “The evolution of radar traffic detection has been remarkable and RTMS Echo represents a leap forward in capability as an efficient all-in-one traffic data device that is surprisingly easy to deploy and setup.”
For traffic management professionals seeking a reliable, all-weather solution with comprehensive data capabilities and advanced features, RTMS Echo is an invaluable asset in the quest for safer, less congested roadways.
This article also appears in the September 2024 edition of TTi magazine
