One Card Fits All – Piezo and Loop Piezo Axle Detection from Nortech International
15 April 2008 12:48
Nortech International has developed a piezo based axle detection card which has enabled Idris technology to use alternative sensors for data collection applications. This means Idris axle classification accuracy from existing piezo sites!
As well as an Idris Certified Licensee Company (ICLC) Nortech is a manufacturer of Idris enhanced hardware. The company has been working, in cooperation with Diamond Consulting Services (DCS), to develop improved hardware suitable for Idris enhanced applications.
Their aim - to provide the best automatic vehicle classification (AVC) hardware possible for today's ITS. This latest development is no exception and offers the option to now use Idris for data collection sites where piezos are currently installed. This recent addition to the Nortech product range, is the AX014 Piezo based axle card.
Idris is well known for its vehicle detection, classification and axle recognition accuracy. Traditionally, axle data is collected from Idris patented inductive axle loops. Nortech has successfully designed their AX014 card to look exactly like an axle detector to Idris.
The card has been designed to facilitate an easy integration into existing sites and provide a reliable interface for most Piezo cable installations. The AX014 provides Idris with an output that allows the existing Idris algorithm to collect axle information and provide the high levels of accuracy that its customers expect.
The axle card acts very much like a traditional inductive loop detector card and plugs directly into any free card slot in an Idris installation. Selective gain and sensitivity allow the axle card to be customised to site requirements. The hardware has currently been tested and qualified by DCS for use within Idris data recording products. The DR320, an axle based freeflow data recorder, and the DR420, an axle based data recorder with congestion handling capabilities, are just two of the products currently available with either a piezo or loop sensor option.
Installing Idris into existing Piezo solution sites offers the additional accuracy benefits of the technology without the need to incur the premature costs of site replacement. Over the lifespan of the solution, as road surfaces wear and deteriorate, or as a site fails due to mechanical degredation or requires surface upgrading, a full Idris loop solution can then be installed (or alternatively, replacement Piezos used).
The story doesn't end with data collection. Ongoing development and testing by Nortech will determine the use of this hardware in the high speed tolling market. Product Manager for Nortech International, Brian Johnson, said: "Nortech has always believed the ITS market needs application specific solutions.
"This is the cornerstone of Nortech's success and has led to exciting and innovative products which provide cost effective options for the industry. Nortech is committed to new ideas and strives to provide its customers with cutting edge designs."
For more information on this company:
Diamond Consulting Services - Idris® Automatic Vehicle Detection and Classification Software
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