Traffic Sensor Node

In the "Distributed Sensor Network" project Pirelli Labs has developed its own technology for the vehicular flux monitoring.
The state of the art for traffic monitoring employs: cameras, radar, inductive loop, piezoelectric sensor, etc.

These systems are generally expensive, difficult to install, maintain and run. These characteristics prohibit widespread distribution and limits quality and quantity in the gathered information.
In this specific sector Pirelli Labs, has combined the new network technology with the development of specific sensors which are able to magnify the advantages.

These new sensors offer the possibility to have traffic monitoring systems completely wireless, energetically self-contained, able to give back good quality data in real time at low installation and running costs.

This allows more efficient and detailed traffic data collection, more dependant, and can increase traffic forecast efficiency.


Sensors
In traffic monitoring application the specific sensors nodes are installed under the road surface, one in each lane, generating a real local network for wireless data collection and communication.

In particular Pirelli Labs' laboratory has designed and produced a wireless specific sensor node with suitable algorithms for the registered signal interpretation, using proprietary transmission protocols.

Pirelli systems is able to detect data such as counting, speed and classification from one or more passing vehicles, and to send this information in real time to a local or remote data base.

The followed planning strategy is based on some main elements common to all applications of distributed sensor networks:

• miniaturization;
• low energy consumption (up to 5years energetic autonomy with battery);
• low cost;
• wireless technology;

Traffic sensor node