Infrared vehicle sensor for traffic control

This thesis investigates the use of an infrared optical system for detecting and monitoring vehicular road traffic. A system was conceived for these purposes and successfully developed and tested in the laboratory using infrared laser sources and optical detectors in conjunction with computerized signal processing correlation techniques. Preliminary road tests with the laboratory equipment provided additional confirmation of the capabilities of the system to detect and monitor vehicular road traffic.;To arrive at the design parameters for a system with the potential for being low cost, low maintenance as well as effective for the purpose needed, a survey was made of possible infrared sources and detectors that could be used, with the most appropriate ones being selected and incorporated into system designs for the laboratory tests.;A complete system consisting of both the infrared laser source and optical detectors as well as the electronic processing components required to analyze the optical signals received and further convert them into information on vehicular traffic movements was then designed and constructed. It was then tested, first in the laboratory, then in preliminary field tests at a site within the City College complex and at a location in Syracuse in conjunction with Traffic Control Technologies. The results of this work demonstrate the validity of the system technology developed and that it shows promise of being cost effective. They also show that, beyond simple vehicle monitoring and counting, the system has potential for more sophisticated applications including speed measurement and vehicle length classification.