Skip to main content

Smoothing intersection flow in the Netherlands

Flir's ThermiCam thermal sensors have been installed at a major signalised intersection with the Utrechtseweg (N237) and Wilhelminalaan in Utrecht in the Netherlands In a bid to smooth traffic flows while also taking account of the presence of cyclists. ThermiCam is an integrated thermal camera and detector for vehicle and cycle presence detection and counting at signalised intersections and provides an alternative to in-road loops. The sensor detects heat energy generated by cyclists and motorists and
December 9, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
6778 Flir's ThermiCam thermal sensors have been installed at a major signalised intersection with the Utrechtseweg (N237) and Wilhelminalaan in Utrecht in the Netherlands In a bid to smooth traffic flows while also taking account of the presence of cyclists.  

ThermiCam is an integrated thermal camera and detector for vehicle and cycle presence detection and counting at signalised intersections and provides an alternative to in-road loops. The sensor detects heat energy generated by cyclists and motorists and uses this to make a distinction between the two and transmits the information over contact closures or IP to the traffic signal controller to allow green times to be dynamically controlled based on the type of road user.

ThermiCam detects cyclists and vehicles in all light conditions, regardless of whether traffic is moving or stationary.  The sensor can also be used to count cyclists, even when they are riding in group.

“For this specific project, we needed a solution that was able to efficiently detect bicyclists and neglect motorists at the same time,” says Guus Sluijsmans, traffic engineer and account manager sales at 6999 Imtech Traffic & Infra, which installed the sensors. “The ThermiCam sensor from Flir Systems is the only solution I know that can efficiently make a distinction between bicyclists and motorists on the same traffic lane.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • US introduces cycle traffic signals
    December 5, 2012
    Cycle-specific traffic signals, which are common in Europe and Australia, are now being introduced in the US alongside the more familiar traditional intersection control signals. At least sixteen US cities, including Austin, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC, have installed the lights, which feature a bicycle-shaped signal, according to an October study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The study found that cyclists ca
  • Machine vision needs standards to fulfil ITS demands
    May 28, 2014
    No-one should expect the enabling qualities of machine vision to come free of charge but Jason Barnes finds there is still much that ITS stakeholders can do to help reduce costs. After many years of application in high-end solutions for the enforcement and tolling sectors, machine vision is gaining traction in more general areas of traffic management. Nevertheless, those OEMs producing transport-oriented solutions which incorporate machine vision and looking to increase the technology’s share of the ITS mar
  • SPONSORED CONTENT: Using AI to achieve real traffic intelligence
    June 3, 2020
    The application of artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the performance of vision-based systems used for a wide and growing set of applications. These include vehicle presence detection and identification, count and classification, and enforcement, explains Roy Czinku of International Road Dynamics
  • USDoT looks at the costs and potential benefits of connected vehicles
    October 26, 2017
    David Crawford looks at latest lessons learned from the trials of connected vehicles in the US. The progress of connected vehicle (CV) technologies takes centre stage among the hot topics highlighted in the September 2017 edition – the first since 2014 – of the ‘ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned’ survey from the US ITS Joint Program Office (JPO). The organisation is an arm of the US Department of Transportation (USDoT).