BERTRAM

BERTRAM - TSS Test Installation at Adlergestell in Berlin,

Traffic Data Collection for Central Traffic Monitoring

It has been the wish of The Senate of Berlin to establish a central traffic management centre for the new capital. In this connection the Senate has supported a test project based on TSSís passive (batteryless) low frequency FRID technology. The project is lead by TSS in co-operation with the system integrator, eloqu-metabasis GmbH in Berlin. A vital reason for choosing TSSís technology is that by embedding one single antenna in each lane, it is possible to obtain three real-time functions: Metal Detection, Vehicle Identification and Speed Measurement. These functionalities can again be used in a variety of traffic statistics and information to the public. Furthermore the price of the equipment is a significant factor. The demonstration of the TSS equipment has now been running without problems since autumn 1997.

The Installation

Adlergestell, one of the major roads leading in to Berlin Centre, has three lanes in each direction. TSS has installed antennas at three positions (Detection Points) in three lanes in the direction towards Berlin Centre. The distance between the positions is approximately 1 km. At each of the three Detection Points, 3 TSS RF-Controllers (Rack Modules) is installed ‚ one RF-Controller per antenna ‚ along with a TSS CPC (Communication and Processing Controller). The three CPCís transmit all collected traffic data via radio to a main station located some 5 km from the Adlergestell. The figure below outlines the elements of the system.

Basic Data Generated by the System

Detection of Vehicles:

• Antenna entry time
• Antenna exit time

This makes it possible to count all passing vehicles and estimate traffic speed per lane at each Detection Point.

Identification of Vehicles equipped with a Tag:

• Tag ID ‚ can relate to e.g. a bus number
• Time of identification

This makes it possible to calculate the speed of the vehicle between two Detection Points, as well as it opens up for further applications, for instance traffic light priority to buses.

Possible Applications

The TSS traffic monitoring system generates real-time data with high accuracy even at speeds up to 200 km/t and provides the solution for a range of traffic supervision and information needs, such as:

• Traffic counting
• Traffic speed measurement
• Priority systems for buses, emergency vehicles, taxis etc.
• Redirection of traffic in case of high traffic density and traffic queues
• Increased and improved traffic information to drivers
• Passenger information at bus terminals
• Access control to sensitive city areas
• Access control and toll payment in city areas
• Better control with transport of hazardous goods

To demonstrate the possible use of the real-time traffic information, TSS has developed a user friendly demo program, which makes it possible to follow the traffic on-line on a main station. It is further possible to identify the 40 buses that so far have been equipped with a TSS tag.

Click here to view an example of how the data collected are processed and used for traffic monitoring and supervision. The screen picture is just an example of how the collected real-time traffic data can be processed and used for various traffic supervision purposes.