Investigation of detectors for border traffic counts 5 th Bi-Annual Border to Border Transportation Conference Project sponsor—Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research Dan Middleton, Ph.D., P.E.

Outline Justification Background Study Methodology Detector selection Results Conclusions

Justification Existing Sources of Vehicle Count Data – CBP – TxDOT – Ports of Entry Why these sources are not sufficient – Permission not always granted – Granularity not sufficient – No control over quality of data

Background Tests conducted earlier – TAMU Riverside campus – Local streets in College Station – Bridge of the Americas – Ysleta/Zaragoza

Study Methodology Task 1. Investigate latest detectors Task 2. Conduct initial field tests Task 3. Conduct final field tests Task 4. Produce deliverables

Detector Selection Other technologies that were unsuitable – Laser scanners – Sidefire microwave detectors – Tracking video detectors – Wireless magnetometers Detectors selected – LED scanner – Wireless magnetometers – Wireless micro-radar

LED Scanner Easy to integrate 16 independent segments (zones) 45-degree beam 0 to 50 meter range Rapid data acquisition rate (50 Hz) Weather resistant enclosure

Wireless Magnetometers Range up to 6 ft Moderate to high speed Drill 4-inch diameter hole Communicates with roadside Designed for larger vehicles Battery life about 10 years Omni-directional

Wireless Micro-Radar Range up to 6 ft Slow speed only (<40 mph) Drill 4-inch diameter hole Communicates with roadside Designed for bicycles/pedestrians Battery life about 8 years Differentiates between bicycles and cars

Leddar IS16 Sensor Lanes 5 and 6 SN Micro-Radar Lanes 2 and 3 SN Micro-Radar Lane 2 Leddar IS16 Sensor YSLETA Car Entrance

Ysleta TRUCK SITE Leddar IS16 Sensor SN Micro-Radar

Leddar Results—Stop/Go, Riverside Vehicle TypePU1PU2/TrlrSedanPU3MC SUMS Correct39 % Correct Detections100.0%0.0%100.0%97.4%89.7% Overall % Correct Detections77.4%

SN Magnetometer Results – Constant Speed, Riverside Interval Start Ground Truth Magnetometers NB1S2NBS1NB1S3 13: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : SUMS % Error41.7%41.2%43.1%

SN Magnetometer Results – Stop/Go, Riverside Interval Start Ground Truth Magnetometers NB1S2NBS1NB1S3 13: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : SUMS % Error65.8%83.6%79.5%

SN Micro-Radar at Constant Speed, Ysleta Truck Site Time PeriodGT VideoSN #1% Diff.SN #2% Diff. 14:30–14:452726−3.7%26−3.7% 14:45–15:00195−73.7%5 15:00–15:153837−2.6%37−2.6% 15:15–15:303231−3.1%320.0% 15:30–15: %362.9% 15:45–16:003330−9.1%30−9.1% 16:00–16: %2110.5% 16:15–16:302221−4.5%220.0% 16:30–16:452322−4.3%244.3% 16:45–17:002421−12.5%23−4.2% 17:00–17: %7 SUMS % Error:−7.8% Error−4.7%

SN Micro-Radar Stop/Go, Ysleta Car Entrance Time PeriodGT VideoLane 2% Diff.GT VideoLane 3% Diff. 14:45–15: % 15:00–15: % 15:15–15: –6.7% 15:30–15: –5.4% 15:45–16: % 16:00–16: –2.6% 16:15–16:303631−13.9%4341−4.7% 16:30–16:453429−14.7%4341−4.7% 16:45–17:002925−13.8%37 0.0% 17:00–17:153934−12.8%5144−13.7% 17:15–17:303934−12.8%5752−8.8% SUMS % Error−13.6% Error−4.6%

Summary of Recent Ysleta Tests Date/LocationDetectorVehicle TypePrimary Motion% Error June 16 Pole Mast Arm Leddar Non-TrucksConstant Speed Faulty Video Micro-RadarNot Tested June 17 Car Tollbooth Leddar Non-TrucksStop-and-Go 0.0% Micro-RadarNot Tested June 18 DPS Truck Site Leddar TrucksConstant Speed 0.0% Micro-Radar−3.6% and −0.3% a June 19 Car Tollbooth Leddar Non-TrucksStop-and-Go Not Tested Micro-Radar−13.6% and −4.6%

RECOMMENDATIONS Leddar IS16 exhibited best performance Minor software enhancements needed Micro-radar appropriate where overhead mounts not practical Longer term tests – Test both detectors 3-4 mo – Select variety of environments—both trucks and non-trucks

Dan Middleton, Ph.D., P.E. Texas A&M Transportation Institute 2929 Research Parkway College Station, TX Phone: (979) Fax: (979)