18 August 2009
Capita Symonds has been working with
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Clearview Traffic on the
implementation of the new Golden River M100 Wireless Vehicle
Detection System.
The system, which allows more reliable and
cost effective traffic detection, has been used to upgrade three of
Blackburn’s major intersections.
The decision was taken to use a new innovative
wireless technology, which is more reliable and provides cost
benefits for the Council, instead of using the traditional
‘inductive loop’ based detection technology (normally seen as dark
square outlines on the road surface).
The loop technology detects a passing vehicle
by using a magnetic field to detect the metal components in the
vehicle. Whilst accurate in detection, loops are prone to a
number of failures including road degradation, utilities and other
works which can reduce their effectiveness and thus can contribute
to congestion.
The Golden River M100 Wireless Vehicle
Detection System - part of the Clearview Traffic Group - provides a
more reliable, lower cost and easier to install alternative to the
use of inductive loops. The system uses small independent
magnetometer sensors in the road surface which wirelessly transmit
real time data via secure radio technology to a nearby Access
Point. This in turn feeds either locally-placed or remote traffic
management controllers to ensure optimum traffic flow.
The system has a quick and simple installation
process at around 15-20 minutes per sensor. It is also cheaper to
install than loops and involves minimal traffic disruption. Once
installed the M100 provides a ten year maintenance free period and
is far less susceptible to damage than traditional loops.
The system is providing significant cost
benefits to Blackburn with Darwen Council. Ian Richardson, Capita
Symonds' Director said: “By implementing the M100 wireless vehicle
detection system at three major sites we have reduced installation
costs by around £60,000 and will continue to create efficiency
savings through reduced replacement and maintenance
costs”.
Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for
regeneration and environment, Blackburn with Darwen Council
welcomed the innovative technology, saying:
Keeping traffic flowing is important for businesses, commuters and air quality. This is cost effective technology which is easy to install and reliable and provides a real benefit to motorists
About Clearview
The Clearview Traffic Group is comprised of
three brands each specialising in a crucial traffic discipline:
Together they offer an unrivalled resource of insight,
analysis and practical solutions, effectively delivered via a
genuine partnership ethos. As a market leader in the international
transport systems market, they offer innovative solutions
which aim to help reduce casualties on the worlds roads, reduce
congestion and safely increase the capacity and effectiveness of
road networks.