Leveraging Multi-Segment LiDAR Sensing for Efficient, Intelligent Transportation Systems

New technology will combine intelligent sensing and processing to transform urban environments.

New sensor technologies are increasingly prevalent in our transit systems, with comprehensive connected sensor networks able to monitor and optimize many aspects of commuting in real time.

However, improving traffic flow, facilitating road law enforcement and making life easier for vehicle operators are only a few examples of how smart sensors contribute to making road transportation more efficient.

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS), detect, locate and measure nearby vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to generate data. This information is used for applications, including traffic management, speed measurement, vehicle profiling and automated tolling.

However, the extremely complex and safety-critical nature of the problem makes ITS a challenging application for sensor manufacturers. Advanced proximity and motion sensing has been used in industrial applications for several decades, but transportation applications add new demands on sensor technology.

For widespread adoption of LiDAR in transportation systems, the sensors must:

  • Detect vehicles and pedestrians in cluttered and difficult environments
  • Cover a wide field yet maintain detection sensitivity to small objects
  • Operate in conditions of moisture, dust, varied lighting and temperature variation
  • Be easy to integrate into vehicle design
  • Operate reliably in all weather conditions
  • Perform with high reliability at a reasonable cost

Vehicle Detection for Advanced Traffic Management Systems

Moving more vehicles and pedestrians through urban streets and intersections in less time is a major problem for growing cities worldwide. Equipping existing infrastructure with smart traffic control systems is a highly cost-effective technique to maximize efficiency.

Leddar M16 sensor. (Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Leddar M16 sensor. (Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Quebec, Canada-based LeddarTech has developed a proprietary solid-state LiDAR technology founded on advanced algorithms to cope with this highly complex problem. It operates by emitting hundreds of invisible, infrared light pulses per second.

The reflected pulses are detected by a photodiode array, which are then processed through patented software algorithms that deliver an optimized, noise-free signal. This output signal is used to determine the presence, location, size and speed of passing objects, depending on the application.

Leddar testing has exceeded 20 million hours of “24/7” operation, used as part of above-ground pedestrian and vehicle detection systems.

Leddar multi-channel solutions are designed to provide accurate and simultaneous monitoring of several traffic lanes, enabling stop-bar detection for efficient traffic flow management and red light enforcement, as well as vehicle counting for precise data on road usage statistics.

Leddar advanced target demerging and lateral discrimination capabilities allow it to simultaneously detect multiple cars, trucks, bikes or humans in each road segment. Already deployed in several cities around the world through the D-Tec product line, Leddar sensors can be mounted directly on existing traffic infrastructure with very few positioning constraints and can be integrated into traffic management systems.

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Automated Tolling

A major weakness of automated tolling systems is reliance on radio frequency transponders fitted in user vehicles for cost-effective customer billing.

Leddar sensors can detect the presence of incoming vehicles in every lane, triggering automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR) which enable e-toll collection. More sophisticated systems combining automated tolling with other ITS applications (e.g. speed enforcement, vehicle profiling) can be enabled by Leddar multi-segment sensors, for a more robust multi-purpose installation.

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Smart Occupancy Sensing

Optimizing parking space utilization is another efficiency goal of smart cities everywhere.  

Networks of sensors that detect parking space occupancy are providing the basic intelligence behind smart parking applications. Leddar multi-segment sensors can detect the presence of vehicles and people in public spaces, for occupancy sensing applications.

The benefits of Leddar for occupancy sensing can also help pedestrians through smart outdoor lighting, making streets, walkways, bike lanes and parking areas more secure, while improving energy efficiency.

The small size of Leddar sensors allows them to be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructure such as parking meters and light poles.

Speed Measurement

Laser-based speed detection has been successfully used by law enforcement for years, but with a major constraint: the need for operator skill and training to track single vehicles with the device.

LeddarTech’s LiDAR solutions provide ranging capabilities for multiple targets, simultaneously measuring the speed of several vehicles within a wide detection area.

For example, data collected by the Leddar sensor can send trigger signals to a camera acquisition module that takes pictures of each passing vehicle’s license plate as it enters the detection zone. This enables the calculation of their average speed with a 3 km/h (2 mph) accuracy margin, for vehicles traveling from 0 to 250 km/h (0-150mph).

Leddar-based speed control systems have successfully been deployed in several cities.

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

(Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Beyond Basic Vehicle Detection

Leddar IS16 sensor. (Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Leddar IS16 sensor. (Image courtesy of LeddarTech.)

Leddar sensors represent a key component for cost-effective drive-through vehicle profiling systems.

Data collected by Leddar sensor modules provide the capability to estimate the dimensions and shape of moving vehicles and then classify them or validate their characteristics against application-defined criteria. Leddar sensors can therefore be used to design applications requiring vehicle classification systems by size and type.

For more information, visit www.leddartech.com

LeddarTech has sponsored this post. All opinions are mine.  –James Anderton

Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.