// Smart city radars
The smart city concept implies using various sensors for data acquisition and digitalization. Traffic and pedestrian count are among the most crucial sources of data. Officials can use this data either for general city planning or instant road control. The systems that acquire such data and control the city lights are called Intelligent Transportation System or ITS.
The most popular sources of traffic data are street cameras (direct measurement) and in-car sensors, and smartphones (indirect measurement). Wide usage of cameras rightly causes privacy concerns: cameras may be used as a surveillance system. Indirect measures are not accurate and cause significant (up to few minutes) data latency, especially when it comes to traffic data.
Radars can eliminate these concerns. These sensors are unable to identify a person or a vehicle though the acquired data is accurate. Radars can be a reliable data source for intelligent transport systems, traffic lights, intellectual street lights.
Comparison of sources of traffic data and pedestrian count for ITS:
The most popular sources of traffic data are street cameras (direct measurement) and in-car sensors, and smartphones (indirect measurement). Wide usage of cameras rightly causes privacy concerns: cameras may be used as a surveillance system. Indirect measures are not accurate and cause significant (up to few minutes) data latency, especially when it comes to traffic data.
Radars can eliminate these concerns. These sensors are unable to identify a person or a vehicle though the acquired data is accurate. Radars can be a reliable data source for intelligent transport systems, traffic lights, intellectual street lights.
Comparison of sources of traffic data and pedestrian count for ITS:
Key features:
- 24 or 77 GHz FMCW radar, MIMO patch antenna
- Built-in (for SoC) or external fully-customized processing
- Ethernet or USB variable output
More features:
- 200+ meters range
- ±300 km/h velocity range with <1 km/h accuracy
- 30x20 or 120x20 degrees azimuth/elevation
- Ability to detect commercial and passenger vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians