Application areas of radar level measuring instruments have gradually expanded, giving users increasing access to the technology.
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UNIVERSAL RADAR JÜRGEN SKOWAISA, VEGA RADAR PRODUCT MANAGER, SPEAKS WITH ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY FOR A UNIVERSAL LEVEL RADAR SENSOR.
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s cities and their infrastructure face growing shocks and stresses, ranging from environmental and economic to social and digital, the notion of resilient cities is gaining traction. The concept, broadly, refers to cities with the ability to absorb, recover and prepare for future shocks. While this certainly extends beyond transport infrastructure, as the mobility framework of most cities, building and maintaining roads is a crucial element of the resilient cities’ concept. As such, Jürgen Skowaisa, VEGA Radar Product Manager, says achieving a resilient city 36
ROADS MARCH 2020
requires construction companies and material manufacturers to prioritise harmonisation and safety. Mr. Skowaisa says that when universal standards exist for level measurement, the chemical and material composition of bitumen and bulk solids can be more easily understood. He says that this understanding enhances safety and minimises the potential for poorly produced mixes or even tank explosions. To that end, Mr. Skowaisa says VEGA is working towards developing a near universal radar sensor. The development of radar level measuring instruments has a documented history,
Mr. Skowaisa says, largely superseding previous measuring principles such as electromechanical sounding systems or ultrasonic instruments. “Application areas have gradually expanded, meaning users have increasing access to the technology. However, according to the opinion of many stakeholders, a measuring instrument that really covers all applications has not yet been seen,” he says. “That said, thanks to higher frequency ranges and new instrument versions, the VEGAPULS 69 comes very close to that ideal.”
