IDEA PROJECT FINAL REPORT, LASER VEHICLE DETECTOR-CLASSIFIER

007389731995PDFResearch PaperEDL # 4126Intelligent transportation systemsHighway trafficLaser beamsVehicle detectorsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationWangler, RichardSchwartz Electra-Optics, Inc.NTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSUS Transportation CollectionThis report describes a diode-laser-based vehicle detector and classifier (VDAC) developed under the Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program. The VDAC uses a scanning laser rangefinder to measure three-dimensional vehicle profiles that can be used for accurate vehicle classification. The narrow laser beam width permits the detection of closely spaced vehicles moving at high speed; even a tow bar can be detected. The VDAC shows great promise for applications involving electronic toll collection from vehicles at freeway speeds, where very high detection and classification accuracy is mandatory. 20 p