Skip to main content

Sick unveils Free Flow Profiler for scanning vehicles

Sick has launched a vehicle measurement system which it says enables accurate 3D profiling of vehicles across multiple lanes in free-flow traffic. The Free Flow Profiler is an all-weather system suitable for vehicle tolling and classification uses, especially in operations such as optimal weight loading of ferries or trains and for verifying vehicle dimensions to maximise revenue recovery, the company adds. During multi-lane, free road movement, Sick’s 2D Lidar sensors scan traffic and measure vehicle l
May 20, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

536 Sick has launched a vehicle measurement system which it says enables accurate 3D profiling of vehicles across multiple lanes in free-flow traffic.

The Free Flow Profiler is an all-weather system suitable for vehicle tolling and classification uses, especially in operations such as optimal weight loading of ferries or trains and for verifying vehicle dimensions to maximise revenue recovery, the company adds.

During multi-lane, free road movement, Sick’s 2D Lidar sensors scan traffic and measure vehicle length, width and height. The system can be enlarged to include multiple lanes or adapted with varying sensor layouts to obtain the required information for monitoring purposes.

According to Sick, the system has a range up to 40m and can profile all vehicle types from heavy road transport to passenger cars, towed vehicles and motorbikes.

Vehicle measurements are processed in the Sick Traffic Controller to produce a 3D model of each vehicle. The system captures vehicle dimensions, vehicle type, driving direction and lane assignment. Options to integrate vehicle classification, axle counting or detection of overheated vehicle parts can be added to meet specific local operator conditions and requirements.

Neil Sandhu, Sick’s UK product manager for imaging, measurement, ranging, says the solution is versatile “whenever accurate 3D vehicle profile is an advantage”.

“For example, warnings of over-height or over-sized vehicles approaching bridges or tunnels, or loading ferries so that the distribution of vehicles and weights is optimised,” he continues. “Up to 30 different automated vehicle classifications enable precise charging of toll fees.”

The system is expected to profile vehicle speeds up to 120km/hr and can be installed in new facilities, retrofitted and re-located. It can also be integrated with other traffic management monitoring systems such as optical character recognition, CCTV and security.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sick launches tunnel safety pollution monitoring
    December 2, 2015
    Sick’s tunnel monitoring technology provides early warning of unsafe visibility and pollution conditions inside road and rail tunnels and ensure the safety of vehicle occupants and tunnel staff. Its VISIC100SF tunnel environment monitor combines visibility measurements, with a range of up to 15km, CO detection of 0- 300ppm (≤3% accuracy) and NO detection of 0-100ppm (≤3% accuracy).
  • Transportation applications move to machine vision’s mainstream
    June 11, 2015
    The adaptation of machine vision to transport applications continues apace. That the machine vision industry is taking traffic installations seriously is evident by the amount of hardware and software products tailor-made for ITS applications that are now available on the market. A good example comes from US-based Gridsmart Technologies which has developed a single wire fisheye camera that provides a horizon to horizon view for use at intersections. Not only does the single camera replace four or more in a
  • Q-Free unveils WiM classification solution
    March 24, 2021
    Hi-Trac TMU4X is intermodal and expected to integrate with cycle and pedestrian monitoring
  • Is it time for a harmonised international standard for Weigh in Motion?
    May 15, 2024
    Weigh in Motion vendors are frustrated that OIML accreditation is not proving to be enough to satisfy tenders in some countries. In this article, the board of the International Society for Weigh in Motion suggests a possible way forward…