FHWA sponsored a study on "Field Test of Monitoring of Urban Vehicle Operations Using Non-intrusive Technologies" which tested passive and active infrared, passive magnetic, Doppler microwave, radar, passive acoustic, pulse ultrasonic and video detectors. The results of the study are informative but cannot be used by any state DOT for selection of detectors because: (1) It evaluated most technologies but fewer than half of the devices available; (2) Since the mid-1990s, many devices have undergone substantial improvement through ITS funding and field testing; (3) Some devices are no longer available or have been replaced; and (4) The study explicitly recommended that state DOTs select based on their requirements and priorities.
A detailed review of all the specifications of all detectors, including loops, is being conducted as part of this project. Special emphasis is given to detectors suitable for measurements on arterial streets and rural highways. Additional issues to be analyzed include the identification of detectors which are best suited for a Congestion Management System, the management of information produced by a large number of detectors collecting data around the clock for HPMS and other archival uses, maintenance requirements, potential efficiency gains and possible losses due to maintenance, and data reduction and analysis requirements.
This project includes tests of several portable and semi-portable
detectors. This file provides a list of the
detectors tested so far and this file provides
a pictorial tour of sample field deployments.The
links below provide instructions for the installation and basic data
retrieval from the detector examined.
Other sensors are added as the project progresses. Accuracy of volume, speed and classification counts under congested/uncongested, sunny/cloudy/rainy and day/night conditions are being investigated and reported.