New thermal traffic sensor to help make roads safer

FLIR Systems of the US has launched a thermal traffic sensor for the emerging vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology market. The sensor allows vehicles and traffic infrastructure to communicate and share data in a system and aims to improve the motorist’s, pedestrian’s and bicyclist’s safety and efficiency.

V2X technology is an emerging crash avoidance system that relies on the communication of information between nearby vehicles and traffic infrastructure to warn drivers about potentially dangerous situations.

In a V2X system, both the vehicles and infrastructure have communication units installed to transmit information. The FLIR ThermiCam V2X mounts on existing traffic signals and detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists at intersections using thermal imaging data. Utilising dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology, vehicles transmit real-time speed and direction data, while the ThermiCam V2X communicates the presence of pedestrians and bicyclists, along with data from other vehicles.

The ThermiCam V2X can prioritise traffic signalling at busy intersections and arterial roads for emergency and public transport vehicles, ultimately improving traffic flow and safety for all drivers. Also, because the ThermiCam connects with existing city traffic systems, city traffic planners can future-proof traffic infrastructure and avoid major investments in retrofitting technology.