ADEC Technologies - Non-Intrusive, Above-Ground Road Traffic Detectors

ADEC Technologies was founded in 2009 to provide an industry-leading combination of product excellence with customer care. We design and manufacture non-intrusive, above-ground road traffic detectors for traffic management, travel-time assessment on urban and inter-urban roads, and road usage. All ADEC traffic detectors are designed for monitoring of a single lane of traffic.

Traffic data collector for single lane traffic

The Traffic Data Collector using Passive Infrared (TDC1-PIR) is designed to monitor a single lane of traffic from overhead or the side of the road. It uses multiple passive infrared detection zones (PIR) and offers radar-like accuracy at ultra-low power consumption.

Specifically designed for solar applications where low-power consumption is key, it delivers significantly improved performance for overall count as well as individual vehicle speed and length assessment compared to existing PIR-based detectors. Key features include:

• Ultra-low power consumption of 60mW or less
• Built-in three-class length-based classification via customisable lengths thresholds
• Wrong-way driver and queue detection
• Wide mounting height range of up to 18m (60ft) from the lane (12m/40ft in urban applications)
• True-presence detection (detection of standing vehicles)
• Serial data port (RS 485 @ 9,600 baud)

Single-lane traffic speed, length and height detector

The TDC3 is designed to monitor a single lane of traffic from overhead or the side of the road. It measures each vehicle's speed, length and height profile (overhead only). The height profile is used for vehicle classification into up to eight categories, according to TLS.

TLS is a classification scheme developed in Germany in the mid-90s that has found widespread usage across Europe. The detector employs three distinct detection technologies, in essence leveraging the strengths of the Doppler radar, the passive infrared and the ultrasonic sensing technology to deliver a powerful combination that is highly immune against changing environmental conditions.

The TDC3 is available in various versions for supporting different levels of classification categories from 2 to 8+1 vehicle classes (according to TLS). The per-vehicle traffic data is prepared internally by a powerful microcontroller that eliminates the need for any external computing equipment beyond a simple data collector.

For maximum performance, the device must be mounted overhead between 5m and 6m (16ft to 20ft) above the lane to be monitored. The TDC3 is available for road-side installations providing two classes by vehicle length. It is designed for entry and exit ramps on highways and can be mounted on either side of the lane to be monitored, allowing a maximum detection range of 10m (33ft). Key features include:

• Multi-technology detection
• Classification into up to 8+1 TLS classes using vehicle's height profile and length (2 classes in side-mount installation)
• Wrong-way driver and queue detection
• Wide operating temperature range: -40°C to +70°C
• Auto-calibration
• Serial data port, RS 485 @ 9,600 baud

Single lane traffic detector with still-image camera

The TDC4 traffic detector is designed to monitor a single lane of traffic from overhead or the right side of the road. It expands the features of the TDC3 family by integrating a still-image camera that allows video-verification of irregular traffic situations or upon request by the traffic management centre.

The built-in camera can automatically capture images of wrong-way drivers and traffic queues, and make the images available to the outstation. All other features are identical to those of the TDC3. The TDC4 is also offered for mounting on the right side of the road (as viewed in driving direction).

No additional equipment is needed to retrieve the images. The image data are transmitted through the TLS user data frame. This significantly reduces installed costs for video-verification and eliminates the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. Key features include:

• Video-verification of traffic situation via built-in still-image camera
• Serial image data transmission via TLS data frame

Installation and commissioning software

ADEC provides the DetSoft Windows PC software for installation and commissioning of all TDC detectors. DetSoft includes functions to perform the auto-calibration process, access detectors settings and log traffic data. Key features include:

• Windows PC / .NET 2.0 - based
• Auto-calibration of all TDC detectors with log
• Traffic data logger
• Protocol sniffer
• Access to detector parameters
• Time-view of relevant detection channels
• Detector firmware upload
• Detector settings backup and restore
• Available as .NET library for custom-integration (subject to extra charge)