Skip to main content

UK cities trial pollution-measuring lasers

A new system that combines laser-based remote sensing and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is being trialled in London and Birmingham in a bid to catch polluting cars. Developed by Hager Environmental and Atmospheric Technologies (HEAT), the emissions detecting and reporting system (EDAR) remotely detects and measures infrared absorption of environmentally critical gases coming out of a moving vehicle. The technology is combined with still/scene camera technology and an ANPR camera, which al
February 16, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new system that combines laser-based remote sensing and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is being trialled in London and Birmingham in a bid to catch polluting cars.

Developed by Hager Environmental and Atmospheric Technologies (HEAT), the emissions detecting and reporting system (EDAR) remotely detects and measures infrared absorption of environmentally critical gases coming out of a moving vehicle.

The technology is combined with still/scene camera technology and an ANPR camera, which allows for the capture of not only a 2D image of the vehicle for vehicle profiling as it passes below the EDAR unit, but also a 3D multi spectral image of the entire exhaust plume and the identification of the subject vehicle.  

The company claims that EDAR’s valid read accuracy rate on a multi-lane state highway during heavy rush hour traffic is over 86 per cent and increases to 95 per cent on single-lane highway applications.  ‘Invalid reads’ are said to be typically due to situational exhaust plume interference or inadequate vehicle specific power.

Related Content

  • Hampshire Constabulary opts for Truvelo speed enforcement
    March 8, 2013
    The UK’s Hampshire Constabulary’s Safer Roads Unit has recently introduced new mobile speed enforcement technology to combat excessive speeds on the county’s roads. The LASERwitness Lite from Truvelo comprises laser speed measurement and digital video technology, combined with built in infra-red illumination for night time operation. The unit is extremely compact and can even be deployed from a police motorcycle if desired. This is beneficial in those locations where there is no suitable parking for a spe
  • Positive incentives an alternative to road user charging?
    February 1, 2012
    The Netherlands has been looking at incentivising rush-hour avoidance. The intention is to better understand road users' motivations and find alternatives to congestion charging. Something significant needs to happen if we are to adequately address the traffic congestion and other issues caused by the ever-rising numbers of vehicles on our roads. Congestion or distance-based charging is seen as one way of managing demand and raising revenue for improvements to transport infrastructure. However, charging is
  • BOSCH LP imager
    June 21, 2012
    Bosch Security Systems has introduced Dinion capture for consistent, high-quality images of vehicle license plates at speeds up to 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour. Using advanced optics, the company claims it obtains clear, legible plate images up to nearly 30 metres away even in dark conditions, enabling accurate vehicle identification. Available models include analogue versions or IP imagers that feature ONVIF conformance for seamless integration with customers’ existing surveillance infrastructures.
  • Sick introduces Free Flow Profiler
    August 30, 2019
    Sick has released a vehicle measurement system which it says enables accurate 3D profiling of vehicles across multiple lanes in free-flow traffic.