An efficient multiple-loop sensor configuration applicable for undisciplined traffic

This paper presents an effective multiple-inductive-loop pattern suitable for heterogeneous and less lane-disciplined traffic and its performance evaluation. Vehicle detection system based on conventional inductive loops works well only for lane-based and homogeneous traffic. A multiple-loop system for sensing vehicles in a heterogeneous and less lane-disciplined condition has been reported recently. The scheme proposed in this paper employs a new configuration, where all the loops are connected in series, which considerably reduces the system complexity and improves reliability. Each loop has a unique resonance frequency and the excitation source given to the loops is programmed to have frequency components covering all the loop resonance frequencies. When a vehicle goes over a loop, the corresponding inductance and resonance frequency will change. The shift in frequency or its effect in any/every loop can be simultaneously monitored, and the vehicles can be detected and identified as a bicycle, a motorcycle, a car, a bus, etc., based on the signature. Another advantage of this scheme is that the loops are in parallel resonance; hence, the power drawn from the source will be minimal. A prototype multiple-loop system has been built and tested based on the proposed scheme. The developed system detected, classified, and counted vehicles accurately. Moreover, the system also computes and provides the speed of the vehicle detected using a single set of multiple loops. The accuracy of the speed measurement has been compared with actual values and found to be accurate and can be used for real-time intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications under heterogeneous and less lane-disciplined (e.g., Indian) conditions. © 2000-2011 IEEE.