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

  • When traffic data can get it totally wrong
    November 30, 2021
    How can a highway devoid of traffic provide data suggesting it is filled with vehicles crawling along? Michael Vardi of Valerann provides an insight into how data can easily be skewed - and what can be done to prevent it
  • Managed motorways, hard shoulder running aids safety, saves time
    January 30, 2012
    The announcement that, in 2012/13, work to extend Managed Motorways to Junctions 5-8 of the M6 near Birmingham in the West Midlands is scheduled to start marks the next step for the UK's hard shoulder running concept, first introduced on the M42 in 2006. The M6 scheme is in fact one of several announced; over the next few years work will start on applying Managed Motorways to various sections of the M1, M25 London Orbital, M60 and M62. According to Paul Unwin, senior project manager with the Highways Agency
  • 'Green' traffic signs
    January 30, 2012
    A new solar-powered, wireless automated rotary drum sign system, manufactured by Skyline Products Traffic Division and currently being deployed in Texas, is being hailed as one of the greenest, least expensive, most flexible means of managing traffic flow.
  • Texas moves to prevent wrong-way drivers
    May 30, 2014
    A study has shown the extent and ramifications of wrong way driving and proposed cost-effective countermeasures. Wrong way driving collisions occur relatively infrequently but the results can be devastating. Statistics from the US National Transportation Safety Board, an independent, federal all-modes agency, reveal that wrong way (WW) driving, account for only about 3% of accidents on high-speed divided highways but are much more likely to result in fatal and serious injuries.