Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Traffic Queue Boundary Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic monitoring technologies, such as inductive loops and radar detectors, struggle to effectively detect and monitor dynamic and extended traffic features like traffic queues over a significant stretch of roadway.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing distributed optical fibre sensing, particularly distributed acoustic sensing, to generate and analyze signals representing acoustic vibrations along roadways, enabling the detection and estimation of traffic queue boundaries, and combining this with other sensing techniques for enhanced monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductive loops or radar detectors are used for traffic monitoring, then vehicle detection at specific points is achieved, but detection of extended traffic features like queues over significant roadway stretches is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibre is divided into multiple sensing zones or segments along its length, with each segment capable of independent vibration detection. This segmentation allows the system to cover extended roadway stretches while maintaining detection precision at each location, resolving the contradiction between monitoring coverage length and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-based or limited stretch detection (0D/1D) to continuous distributed detection along the entire fibre length (1D continuum). By embedding the optical fibre along the roadway and utilizing its distributed sensing capability, the system achieves simultaneous monitoring across extended distances while maintaining measurement precision through spatially-resolved vibration analysis
2Length of stationary object
If distributed optical fibre sensing is used to monitor extended roadway stretches, then detection of traffic queues is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibre sensing system serves multiple functions: detecting vehicle presence, determining vehicle speed, identifying queue boundaries, and monitoring traffic flow patterns along extended roadway stretches. By consolidating these multiple detection capabilities into a single distributed sensing platform, the system achieves extended monitoring coverage while managing complexity through multi-functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fibre acts as an intermediary element that converts mechanical vibrations from traffic into optical signals for analysis. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to monitor extended roadway stretches indirectly through vibration transmission along the fibre, reducing the complexity of direct sensing while maintaining detection capability across long distances
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately determines traffic queue boundaries and properties, allowing for improved traffic management and control, including warning systems and adaptive signal control to enhance safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The distributed acoustic sensing may make use of Rayleigh backscatter of probe light pulses launched into the sensing optical fibre
Implementation Method 2
The distributed acoustic sensing may make use of Rayleigh backscatter of probe light pulses launched into the sensing optical fibre
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for estimating a position of a boundary of a queue of traffic are disclosed, the queue extending along a roadway. Distributed acoustic sensing is used to generate, as a function of time and of position along the roadway, a signal representing acoustic vibration at a sensing optical fibre that extends along the roadway. A queue signature is detected in the signal of either the slowing down of a plurality of vehicles as they approach the boundary of the queue, or speeding up of a plurality of vehicles as they advance from the departed boundary of the queue. A position of the boundary of the queue is then estimated from the detected queue signature. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for controlling one or more road traffic signals by using distributed acoustic sensing to detect acoustic vibration at one or more sensing optical fibers disposed along a roadway, as a function of time and of position along a roadway, and controlling the one or more road traffic signals responsive to the detected acoustic vibration.