M210 Solar Powered Logging Stud

Clearview Traffic can now offer a unique and innovative solution for those looking to accurately count vehicles from a wide range of roads. The M210 solar powered logging stud offers an alternative to the traditional single loop site by providing count information in a simple, self contained unit.

Simple solution
Whilst there is a clear requirement to accurately count and classify the vehicles travelling on the roads, traffic planners often need more data than is currently available. Many roads within an area have no counting systems installed, so long term trends in these areas are often completely invisible. It may seem that the only solution to this problem is to install a wide network of loop based traffic counters, but this is often not economically practical due to the costs of installing and maintaining these devices. Clearview Traffic however has a solution to this problem.

By combining our extensive expertise with a range of technologies including solar power, radio communications and magnetometer based vehicle detection; we have developed the M210 Solar Powered Logging Stud. This self contained traffic counter is installed into a 13cm diameter hole in the centre of the lane. Once installed it can count any passing vehicles, recording data in one minute intervals and storing it within the unit. An integrated solar panel provides power to a high efficiency rechargeable battery to ensure continuous operation for many years without the need for any form of routine maintenance.

Easy data collection
In order to collect the data from the device, a specially designed radio dongle can be plugged into a USB port to wirelessly communicate to the M210. Data can then be collected using a simple download application. As the range of the wireless communications will work up to approx 10 meters away, this can be achieved both simply and safely from the roadside.

Key Benefits

The stud offers a number of key benefits to the user, both for installation and usage. The simple construction allows fast and simple installation as there is no requirement to install loops, cabinets or other roadside furniture, with significant savings in both costs and traffic disruption.

In addition as the device uses a magnetometer to detect vehicles, it is immune from problems associated with damage to loops including from road degradation, utility works or road repairs. This again reduces the need for road maintenance, with its associated cost and congestion. It is also unobtrusive and less likely to sustain damage from road users as is common with other types of beside-the-road counter.

Due to the large integrated memory capacity users can experience increased efficiencies with minimal maintenance and less data collection trips required, which combined with the use of renewable energy sources helps to provide a green solution which is a positive step for many authorities who may be looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

This device can provide data for use in a wide range of applications including:

• Local authorities - for providing additional granularity to the comprehensive data generated by the specialised loop based counter classifiers.
• Retail environments - to provide a clear historic record of vehicle movements in and out of car parks and surrounding road traffic flows.
• Country parks - to give an indication of visitor numbers.
• Car park entrance and exits - to give clarity on the number of vehicles entering and leaving the car park, and in the surrounding roads.
• Monitor seasonal traffic patterns especially in the roads surrounding event locations including show grounds, sporting events, air shows, and exhibition centres.

Peter Cattell, Product Manager at Clearview Traffic commented “The new Logging Stud provides traffic managers with a cost effective way to run multiple counts in fixed locations, offering an alternative to installing single loop sites which can be expensive; requiring trenching and ducting, and disruptive to traffic flows”.

Benefits:

• Fast, cost effective installation
• Minimal data collection trips required saving time, money and carbon emissions
• Renewable energy source reduces environmental impact
• Minimal maintenance required, increasing efficiency
• Unobtrusive and less likely to sustain damage from road users
• Roadside wireless connection enables safe data collection

Features:

• Binned vehicle count in one minute intervals
• 1 year data storage capacity
• 13cm diameter
• Self contained with no roadside cabinet or loops required
• Simple installation
• Almost “invisible” once installed