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Traffic Light Sensors

There are three main types of sensors used in traffic lights: induction loops buried in road surfaces to detect changes in magnetic fields; microwave radar detectors mounted above ground to detect vehicle movement and speed; and video detection cameras connected to software that defines vehicle detection zones. Induction loops are durable and provide accurate readings but cannot detect light vehicles and require road closures for maintenance. Microwave detectors are easier to install but cannot handle bad weather. Video detection works on surfaces where loops cannot be used but is vulnerable to weather and false detections.

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26 views2 pages

Traffic Light Sensors

There are three main types of sensors used in traffic lights: induction loops buried in road surfaces to detect changes in magnetic fields; microwave radar detectors mounted above ground to detect vehicle movement and speed; and video detection cameras connected to software that defines vehicle detection zones. Induction loops are durable and provide accurate readings but cannot detect light vehicles and require road closures for maintenance. Microwave detectors are easier to install but cannot handle bad weather. Video detection works on surfaces where loops cannot be used but is vulnerable to weather and false detections.

Uploaded by

aryan mehta
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Traffic Light Sensors

Number of Sensors in a traffic light:

1. Inductions Loops: Inductive loops are coils of wire that have been embedded on the
surface of the road to detect changes in inductance and convey them to the sensor
circuitry in order to produce signals.

The loop is usually fed with a given frequency from a generator, resulting in an induced
magnetic field. And as the magnetic field continues to build due to continuous flow of
current, the coils will achieve a stronger field that can last for a period of time even after the
switch is opened. For an induction loop to achieve greater inductance and be more reliable in
traffic detection, it should have several wire coils and an iron (magnetic material) core. The
core is the material on which the wire coils are wrapped.

Pros:

 Durable can easily handle any kind of weather as they are under the ground
 They give very accurate readings
 Require very less maintenance

Cons:

 They are not able to detect light vehicles like bicycles


 Hard to get to if there is any problem in the sensor as they are buried in the road and
this also requires the road to be shut down for some time

Microwave Radar Detectors: Microwave detectors used for “above ground” use are
designed to detect vehicle movements within a pre-determined field of vision providing a
vehicle’s speed is greater than three miles per hour.
The choice of inductive loop systems compared with microwave systems is influenced by a
number of different factors. Normally the method of detection is determined by the prevailing
operational considerations which can vary from site to site.

Pros:

 Easier to install
 Easy to Repair

Cons:

 Cannot handle wad weather


 obstructions in the form of overhead hanging objects 
Video Detection: Video detection involves the use of cameras connected to specialized cards
that have been furnished with “detection zones” defined by specialised vehicle detection
software. The video sensors are ideal for road surfaces where induction loops are impossible
to install, such as gravel surfaces and bad road surfaces.
 video sensors are less popular because they are more vulnerable to bad weather, tend to
register false positives because of the glare of car headlights and shadows of vehicles on
neighbour lanes, and require more expensive cards.

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