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Improving ITS with solid-state lidars Lidar sensing technology continues to evolve, as new suppliers redefine optical detection and ranging capabilities with groundbreaking innovations. New solid-state lidar technology is set to change the face of ITS Words | Stéphane Duquet, LeddarTech, Canada
Solid-state lidars deliver precise multi-target detection and measurement in applications such as e-tolling, vehicle counting and profiling and speed measurement
Lidar technologies have been deployed in specialized intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications for a some time. Their benefits – including distance measurement precision, resolution, and resilience to changing lighting conditions – have justified their use in applications such as highway tolling, despite coming with a hefty price tag. Laser scanners have limitations. Their mechanical components and complex builds can affect their reliability over time and can make them expensive to deploy, especially if the intended application requires sensors. Their collimated light beams also make them more sensitive to rain, snow, or fog. Today, a new generation of lidars is available for ITS applications from vendors that use solid-state designs and flash illumination to produce highly efficient, robust lidar with no moving parts. These
lidars also drive sensor prices down from thousands to hundreds of dollars, making them appealing for broader deployments. As one of the pioneering solid-state lidar (SSL) manufacturers, LeddarTech first introduced the technology to the ITS market 10 years ago and since then, the company has continued to improve its SSL product performances, filing more than 55 patents. Its first commercial application was in advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), using lidar as a stop bar for traffic detection. Placed above ground on existing infrastructures, SSL indeed represented an attractive alternative to induction loops for traffic light automation. While some forward-looking cities have been quick to adopt SSL sensing to manage critical intersections, the ITS industry as a whole has taken some time to embrace it. But this mindset is changing, as integrators and operators realize the potential to
improve mobility through the implementation of cost-effective lidars in smart city, intelligent highway, and dynamic traffic monitoring applications.
SSL advantages SSLs are compact, robust, affordable, and easy to integrate into existing hardware and roadside structures, providing reliable detection and ranging data. Compared to laser scanners, SSLs typically use diffuse light sources, which generate weaker return signals (the quantity of light reflected back from the object) and reduce the sensors’ performance and range. Through proprietary algorithms and advanced signal processing, LeddarTech can deliver performances that rival those of their scanning counterparts, with the use of low-cost, solid-state optical designs and components. SSLs can be deployed in ITS as standalone units or in combination with
Annual Showcase 2018 | Intertraffic World
