Skip to main content

3D detection innovation

Canadian company Leddar Tech has announced what it says is the industry's first and only optical detection and ranging product based on the time-of-flight principle. The company says the patent-pending solution provides unique advantages and benefits for optimising traffic management.
February 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Canadian company Leddar Tech has announced what it says is the industry's first and only optical detection and ranging product based on the time-of-flight principle. The company says the patent-pending solution provides unique advantages and benefits for optimising traffic management.

The Leddar d-tec (Light Emitting Diode Detection And Range) detector emits non-visible light into the area of interest and measures the time taken for the light to reflect. Thanks in part to the speed of light, it provides very accurate 3D information as well as excellent lateral positioning of detected objects in the field of view, enabling the system to precisely detect objects of variable dimensions. In addition, since the acquisition information is compiled thousands of times per second, Leddar d-tec is able to provide robust detection in adverse weather and lighting conditions.


As Leddar Tech points out, its innovative solution consistently and accurately detects vehicles of all types, including motorcycles and bicycles in all weather conditions, at any time of the day. The system also uses direction of travel of vehicles, thereby preventing false calls to traffic signal controllers.

Leddar d-tec was designed to ensure fast and user-friendly installation. This non-intrusive solution can be mounted directly to current traffic infrastructure without the need to install additional mounting poles since the device is not influenced by the horizon. Moreover, the company's engineering team have integrated an onboard image processor to assist engineers and technicians by making it possible to remotely align Leddar d-tec. A value-added feature of the onboard image processor is the capability of transmitting video images back to the traffic operations centre.

Made of robust, high-quality materials, the Leddar d-tec enclosure is waterproof and designed to withstand the worst in adverse or extreme weather conditions.

Related Content

  • April 26, 2013
    ITS asset management matters
    Maintenance of on-road ITS kit needs to become more sophisticated; while new technologies can deliver better road maintenance. David Crawford investigates both sides of the issue "Good information is key to effective ITS asset maintenance,” says Ian Routledge of the Ian Routledge Consultancy (IRC), whose Imtrac (Information Management for TRAffic Control) system is poised for European expansion. Developed as an ‘intelligent filing cabinet’ for storing information about on-road equipment, the online database
  • December 6, 2017
    Vision technology lifts blinkers from tunnel vision
    Sony’s Jerome Avenel looks at how advances in imaging technology are helping improve safety. On the 24th March 1999, a Belgian truck transporting flour and margarine through the 11.6km Mont Blanc tunnel caught alight when a cigarette stub entered the engine induction snorkel, lighting the paper air filter. The fire left over 30 dead and many more injured. At the time, the Mont Blanc tunnel disaster was the world’s worst tunnel fire.
  • March 25, 2014
    Lacroix Trafic launches Geronimo system
    France-headquartered Lacroix Trafic is here at Intertraffic to launch the latest in its line of Alumix products – the Geronimo traffic signal totem pole. Using high emitting flux LEDS to ensure very low power consumption and controlled maintenance costs, the new totem is an energy performance asset. Manufactured using single aluminium profile housing, the company says the elegance of its totem traffic signal pole fits nicely into all types of city and architectural environments, while providing excellent vi
  • April 17, 2024
    Sernis unveils road safety innovations at Intertraffic
    Sernis is here at Intertraffic to unveil an array of groundbreaking innovations in road safety.