Investigation of new vehicle detectors for high-speed signalized intersections.

Project 0-6828
Early indications from the use of the newest vehicle detectors for high-speed signalized intersections
suggested that they perform well as replacements for the Texas Department of Transportation’s
(TxDOT’s) legacy systems, but this early conclusion needed verification based on rigorous field testing
in a variety of traffic and environmental conditions. This research investigated the performance
characteristics of detectors designed for the stop line area and indecision zone detection. In some cases
new detectors involved two technologies to cover both upstream and stop line areas. Increasing use of
infrared (IR) cameras with video imaging systems was an attempt to overcome some of the limitations of
traditional video detection. While these IR cameras may improve video detection for some lighting and
temperature conditions, evidence suggested that they do not improve detection performance under all
conditions.
The objectives of this research were to
 Determine current TxDOT-specific needs for new vehicle detectors.
 Identify the most promising detectors for both stop line and dilemma zone detection.
 Develop guidelines on each new technology and establish recommended controller and detector
settings to guide TxDOT on installation and use of each detector and combination of detectors.