Skip to main content

MnDOT to pilot radar system for traffic monitoring

The US’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given approval to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to trial the use of a radar system to monitor and study traffic flow on Interstate 94. The idea to use radar for traffic monitoring was originally submitted to the agency under its Innovative Idea Program last June. Currently, the proposal is to deploy a traffic detection system that can monitor six lanes of traffic and two overhead bridges from one location. The objective is to
April 15, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The US’s 2115 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given approval to the 2103 Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to trial the use of a radar system to monitor and study traffic flow on Interstate 94.

The idea to use radar for traffic monitoring was originally submitted to the agency under its Innovative Idea Program last June. Currently, the proposal is to deploy a traffic detection system that can monitor six lanes of traffic and two overhead bridges from one location.

The objective is to gather accurate traffic and congestion information from the trial, with the collected information to be provided to necessary staff for emergency situations. The information is also to be stored to provide congestion and incident metrics. As a side benefit, the proposed system can also detect lane changes and manoeuvres, helping identify driver behaviour.

The proposal has been accepted by MnDOT in conjunction with its partner 3525 AECOM, a consultant and technical services partner on the project, and RhiZone, a local innovation partner.

The ultimate goal is to perform traffic data collection activities using the 360 degree radar, test the accuracy of the devices, and provide a detailed summary of traffic data and driver behaviour at the selected field site, which is located on I-94, just east of the Lowry Hill Tunnel near the I-35W overpass.

The system will use a radar unit provided by 819 Navtech Radar to gather real-time traffic data from the site, and software installed at the MnDOT Regional Traffic Monitoring Center (RTMC) will detect traffic incidents based on analysis of the traffic data collected.

The AECOM Team will be responsible for deployment of the system, data collection, monitoring and reporting. The next steps in the pilot project include producing the Systems Engineering documentation to guide design and deployment activities, and to deploy the radar system for six months of operation, beginning in spring 2015.

Related Content

  • Serbia approves Redflex mobile speed enforcement
    November 21, 2014
    Redflex has been successful in obtaining type approval of RedflexRadarcam, the company’s mobile speed enforcement system by Serbia’s Directorate of Measures and Precious Metals. Designed for both tripod and in-vehicle mounting, RedflexRadarcam mobile speed enforcement is the first system to utilise superior dual radar technology to provide detection accuracy across up to six lanes of approaching or receding traffic with no limitations on site selection. The speed radar accurately determines vehicle speed
  • Europe’s EasyWay project accommodates political requirements
    May 29, 2013
    The EasyWay project has evolved to take account of political developments at the European level. By Jason Barnes The European Union’s (EU’s) EasyWay ITS deployment project has its roots in the ambitions of former European Commission President Jacques Delors with regard to truly international networks for energy, information and for transport. Definition of what became known as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) began back in 1994 with seven working groups. They produced an R&D and policy framework
  • Advanced traffic management amid urbanisation
    July 30, 2020
    There is no room for error on the crowded roads in many cities: Andrew Watson of Huawei explains why AI is a perfect tool to help urban authorities and transportation agencies look after people in busy traffic
  • Parifex will show three road control innovations
    September 16, 2021
    Parifex, a leading solution provider in project management for speed enforcement and smart cities, will highlight three innovations including 3D-lidar technology: the Double-Side Vigie, an extra-urban speed control system; the Nano-Cam, an innovative sensor for mobile real-time data collection and speed enforcement such as vehicle counting and classification; as well as the Nomad, a multi-infringement sensor designed to fit in the urban infrastructure