A critical function of the Vehicle Detector Clearinghouse is to provide technical assistance to transportation officials and equipment vendors on vehicle detectors.

Request Assistance from VDC

E-mail: (please include your e-mail address)

Please submit what kind of assistance you may need?

List of questions asked to the VDC

Question: Can you help me with vehicle classification (based on length) and traffic volume measurement basics. I want to use simple and cheap inductance loop detector or infrared sensors.

Answer: Please look in the "Publications" section of the VDC web page (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) under "Vehicle Classification" and see if you can find any relevant publications that will provide you the answers to your question. The "Summary of Vehicle Detection and Surveillance Technologies Used in "ITS" is a good source of basic information on these technologies.

Question: Procedure and equipment required for Axle load study for National Highway

Answer: Look in the "Publications" section of the VDC web page (http://ww.nmsu.edu/~traffic) under the "Traffic Monitoring" subsection for answers to your question. Specifically, the publication titled "Traffic Monitoring Guide-TMD.

Question: I have an application for a car pound for 700 cars. The owner want to know when each individual car parking space is vacant. I have the software and the I / O interface source but what I need is a cheap vehicle presence sensor for each bay. This will ideally be located on small pole at the end of each bay

Answer: There are several types of vehicle presence detectors. However, from your note about it seems that you are seeking anon-intrusive type of sensor, which means it will not be located in or on the pavement. Please refer to a document developed by the VDC that is available for downloading on the VDC web page at: http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic/Publications/VC/vdst.pdf for information on some available non intrusive vehicle presence detectors. This document also has contact information for some vendors of this type of technology.

Question: Do you have any information on Kistler LINEAS sensors? They are quartz piezoelectric WIM sensors.

Answer: There is an overview of the Kistler system presented in a document developed by the VDC titled "Summary of Vehicle Detection and Surveillance Technologies Used in Intelligent Transportation System." This document can be downloaded from the VDC web page at the following link: http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic/Publication/VC/vdst.pdf. Also Anne-Marie McDonnell of Connecticut was involved in a Field study of these sensors and can give you additional information.

Her contact information is as follows:
Telephone (860) 258-0308
Annemarie.mcdonnell@po.state.ct.us

Question: Which state agencies are collecting WIM data for pavement design using portables piezo equipment? I'd like some contact info to share.

Answer: Please refer to the VDC web page at http://ww.nmsu.edu/~traffic and go to section on "Equipment" then go to "Data-Collection Equipment Database." This database contains information on equipment states are using or have used in the past and contact information for people responsible for the equipment.

Question: We are a European manufacturer of strain gauge static weight equipment and currently developing a WIM application for instant truck overload measurement. The gross weight accuracy required is about 10% of full range and we need a method for applying WIM using our own processing equipment.

Answer: Is to contact vendors of WIM technology that might be able to supply you with equipment that can be used with your own processing equipment. There are several WIM vendors featured in the VDC web page (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic)

Question: How to design the vehicle detector, what is the theory of vehicle detector?

Answer: You need to specify what the application of the vehicle detector is. For example, do you want a vehicle detector for counting vehicles at a certain point, do you need a vehicle detector to detect presence to trigger a light signal, etc., do you need a vehicle detector to classify vehicles at a certain point? These are only a few of the applications that you would design a vehicle detector for. Vehicle detectors are made up of a sensor which can be intrusive (in the pavement) or non-intrusive (overhead or beside the roadway) and a data collection device. The data collection device can include a computer to store the data and maybe perform calculations to convert it to a desired output.
Please refer to the publication available on the VDC web page
(http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) for information on applications of vehicle detectors and the components for each. Once you know the application then you can go to the "Equipment" section of the VDC web page and look for the components or entire system

Question: Please if you would furnish me with the different types of vehicle and their relevant lengths.

Answer: There are many ways of classifying vehicles (some based on length) that the states use. However, to report to the US FHWA all states must report their classification data based on the 13 FHWA classes specified below:
1. motorcycles
2. passenger car
3. other 2 axle, 4 tire, single-unit vehicles
4. buses
5. 2 axle, 6 tire, single-unit vehicles
6. 3 axle, single-unit trucks
7. 4 or more axle, single-trailer trucks
8. 4 or less axle, single-trailer trucks
9. 5 axle, single-trailer trucks
10. 6 or more axle, single-trailer trucks
11. 5 or less axle, multi-trailer trucks
12. 6 axle, multi-trailer trucks
13. 7 or more axle, multi-trailer trucks

Axle spacing for certain vehicle types are shown below:
Maximum motorcycle axle spacing-6.0 ft
Maximum compact car axle spacing-8.5 ft
Maximum standard car axle spacing-9.4 ft
Maximum large car and pickup axle spacing-14.0 ft
Maximum large two axle, 6 tire vehicle axle spacing-20.0 ft
Maximum axle spacing between tractor rear axle and utility trailer front axle-20.0 ft
Maximum spacing for axles in recreational vehicle axle groups-3.5 ft

This information was obtained from the ASTM E1572-93 standard practice for classifying highway vehicles from known axle count and spacing. Even though this standard is no longer published the data included in it can from the Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG) put out by FHWA. Please note that some of the information may be outdated since there is a new TMG available.

Question: Do you have data for the various technologies listed in Chapter 4 & 5 of the above report listing # of units or $ volume installed in the U.S. for each type of technology?
If not, do you have any suggestions on where I can find such data?

Answer: The VDC web page includes some information on what states are using. However, this information is in need of updating and thus may not be current! The VDC web page URL is (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic). To access the database click on the "Data Collection Equipment" database link.

Otherwise, I'm afraid that what you are seeking is some kind of market study and there is a company that does this and has published a report in the past that they charge about $2,500 for. If you are interested in this report, let me know and I will get you the information on the publisher.

Question: I would like to know what information you have on PEEK equipment and corresponding software.

Answer: On the Vehicle Clearinghouse (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) under links point to the Vendors and Manufactures, then PEEK and you will be directed to their Web page. They have listed all their product and literature.

Question: Do you know what is meant by a classification tree?

Answer: ODOT is conducting field tests to determine a new classification tree for permanent and portable traffic counters. Since we have traffic counting equipment from different manufactures, our goal would be to standardize the way we classify vehicles. Can you provide me names of State DOT personnel that have successfully completed this work?
Is there any ASTM/TRB work going on regarding this topic?
Tony Manch
ODOT
(614) 466-3075

Question: Do you have a catalog of products? I am mostly interested in speed monitoring on a residential collector street.

Answer: The closest we come to a catalog of products it our "Summary of Vehicle Detection and Surveillance Technologies Used in Intelligent Transportation System", which is found on our web page, (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) under the " What's New" section in the "Reports/Papers/Surveys available online" subsection. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Question: If you ever heard of application of electrically conductive concrete as a weigh in motion technology. Apparently, something to this effect was mentioned in July 1999 The Economist, and I was wondering if this was only an early research / concept developmental stage, or if anyone is trying it out in the field

Answer: We haven't seen the article. The way I heard it several years ago, the idea was to use piezoelectric quartz crystals as aggregate in bituminous concrete to make the pavement the WIM sensor. How to collect and process the generated voltage or to distinguish individual axles was not mentioned.

Question: I'm an Italian final year undergraduate on traffic engineering and this message is for having additional information if it is possible about the real operation of VDC (how and what the equipment classifies, etc).

Answer: The mission of the Vehicle Detector Clearinghouse (VDC) is to provide information to transportation agencies on the capabilities of commercially available vehicle detectors by gathering , organizing, and sharing information concerning tests and test procedures in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The clearinghouse will be a catalyst for developing standard test protocol so that no matter who performs the tests, the results will be widely acceptable.

Additional information can found on the internet web site at: (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic/)
The various types of equipment consist of vehicle detection device and traffic recorders. The equipment can record vehicles by volume, speed, and vehicle classification based on its axle arrangement for different time periods. Each state lists the types of equipment they are using to record vehicle volumes over a specific piece of roadway.

Question: Interested in finding out ways to provide a foolproof method of calibration of Weigh-In-Motion scale system. Is there a standard for calibrating, testing and certifying a WIM scale based on some rules/regulations from the Bureau of Weights and Measures or other agency? I would appreciate any info that you might have that could provide me with some answers or direction.

Answer: There are two documents that might be able to give you guidance on calibration of WIM systems, although I have to warn you that they probably do not provide a foolproof method. The documents are the "Standard Specification for Highway Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems with User Requirements and Test Methods," found in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards volume 04.03. The other document is titled " State's Best Practice Weigh-in-Motion Handbook," and can be found online at (http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/research/wim_pdf/index.htm).

Question: I am searching for the information on Over Height Vehicle Detection System. Do you have any information on this subject? I am interested in types of systems, detector specifications, manufacturers, and application sites/projects.

Answer: In response to your inquire concerning Over-height Vehicle Detection Systems, I am only aware of the international Road Dynamic Inc. (IRD) system that detects over-height vehicle as they approach a permanent weigh stations. They are usually located on the ramp entrance to the weigh station. I know there are other systems that IRD that have over-height detection systems but do not know the name of the companies that have them. I have copied your inquire to Perry Kent on the East Coast and to Luz Elena Mimbela, Project Manager of the Vehicle Detector Clearing House (VDC)
Question: I am searching for any information regarding the size of the market for traffic counters and similar devices (tubes counters/classifiers, turning movement boards, etc.) is this information available?

Answer: There is a brochure from ITS America 9th annual conference and exposition its about a report put out by Transport Technology Publishing (TIP) titled "Advanced Traffic Detection, Emerging Technologies and Market Forecast." Their website is at: http://www.ttpnews.com also their phone number is (607) 770-4075.

In the brochure it says that the global traffic detection market already exceeds $5 billion and based on its current growth rate, it will reach $10 billion in five years! You might call the number above and see if your questions will be answered by this report, since the report is not cheap at $1,995. Please feel free to contact me if you need more information regarding this report.

Question: I only know three manufacturer names and am looking for more. Is there some way to find unknown manufacturers in you database? I also must say that I found nothing when I tried entering the names Reno A&E, Canoga and EDI or Eberle. Is your site like the FHWA site in that I must accept cookies to access the database?

Answer: The Vehicle Detector Clearinghouse (VDC) website contains the type of product information you are looking for. From the VDC home page at URL: (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) click on "Databases" button. Next, click on "Search Product Database", where you can browse by product name or manufacturer name. For specific product information, just click on product name / number.

Question: I am working on a project to install a number of railroad crossing warning system incorporating vehicle detectors. I was looking for manufacturers of such products when I found your site. I would like to find a list of manufacturers of detectors so ican find an appropriate piece of equipment for my project. Do you have such a list available?

Answer: The Vehicle Detector Clearinghouse (VDC) website contains the type of product information you are looking for. From the VDC home page at URL: (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) click on "Databases" button. Next, click on "Search Product Database", where you can browse by product name or manufacturer name. For specific product information, just click on product name/ number.

Question: Our institute is researching on the suitable method for traffic counting in our country. For this I an idea about non-intrusive type system of Passive or Active IR method. I need some technical details about this system such as what type emmiter, detector should be used, where I can find them min market, etc.

Answer: Regarding you question: please refer to the VDC web page at (http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic) under "Publication " section in the "Vehicle Classifications" subsection reports for information on your topic. Specially, the document titled "Summary of Vehicle Detection and Surveillance Technologies used in Intelligent Transportation System" or "Detector Handbook" for shot. There is a section on "Non-intrusive" technologies where you can find some technical information on the passive or active IR methods.

Question: Do you have any information on Kistler LINEAS Sensors? They are quartz piezoelectric WIM sensors?

Answer: There is an overview of the Kistler system presented in a document developed by the VDC titled "Summary of Vehicle Detection and Surveillance Technologies Used in Intelligent Transportation Systems." This document can be downloaded from the VDC web page at the following link: http://www.nmsu.edu/~traffic/Publications/VC/vdst.pdf . In addition, Ms. Anne-Marie McDonnell of Connecticut was involved in a field study of these sensors and can give you additional information. Her contact information is as follows:

Telephone ( 860 ) 258-0308
annemarie.mcdonnell@po.state.ct.us

Question:
I have an application for a car pound for 700 cars. The owner wants to know when each individual car parking space is vacant. I have the software and the I/O interface sourced but what I need is a cheap vehicle presence sensor for each bay. This will ideally be located on a small pole at the end of each bay.

Answer:
There are several types of vehicle presence detectors. However, from your note above it seems that you are seeking a non-intrusive type of sensor, which means it will not be located in or on the pavement. Please refer to a document developed by the VDC that is available for downloading on the VDC web page at: www.nmsu.edu/~traffic/Publications/VC/vdst.pdf for information on some available non-intrusive vehicle presence detectors. This document also has contact information for some vendors of this type of technology.

Question:
Which state agencies are collecting WIM data for pavement design using portable piezo equipment?

Answer:
Please refer to the VDC web page at www.nmsu.edu/~traffic and go to section on "Equipment" then go to "Data-Collection Equipment Database." This database contains information on equipment states are using or have used in the past and contact information for people responsible for the equipment.

 

Last Modified: November 2007

Maintained by: traffic@nmsu.edu

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