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

  • San Francisco plans express lane network across Bay Area
    February 25, 2015
    Colin Sowman looks at plans to convert 240km (150 miles) of HOV/car pool lanes. While some authorities have debated the conversion of high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) into express or managed lanes allowing toll paying single-occupant vehicles to avoid congestion, San Francisco’s Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has acted. It is converting 240km (150 miles) of HOV/car pool lanes to express lanes and last fall the MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority selected TransCore to d
  • Traffic management: risky business
    June 15, 2023
    Adding a real-time accident risk layer to the profile of a road network ticks all the crucial boxes: it saves time, fuel, money and, ultimately, lives. Harriet King of Valerann explains the brain power of Lanternn by Valerann’s Core Fusion Engine...
  • Free-flow toll systems lower operational risks says road operator
    April 23, 2015
    Multi-lane free-flow toll systems lower the operational risk of highway concessions, according to toll road operator Renovias Concessionária, which implemented the first such system in Brazil. "Operational risk is lower than manned toll booths as no workers are needed," Renovias maintenance manager Michell Costa told BNamericas. The system in place on São Paulo state highway SP340 detects the electronic fee collection tags in vehicles using both 5.8GHz and 915MHz frequencies, and captures front and re
  • Jenoptik supplies sophisticated multi-section control project
    November 17, 2014
    Efficient speed enforcement in the most highly frequented tunnel in Austria on the A7 near Linz. The Bindermichl-Niedernhart tunnel complex on Austrian highway A7 connects the major east/west A1 route from Vienna/ Bratislava to Munich/Salzburg with the A7/ E55 running south from Prague in the Czech Republic. This happens right in the middle of the city of Linz, Austria.