AN innovative laser traffic measurement and detection system with a wide-stripe `fanned’ beam output which does not need to oscillate or scan to locate vehicles, is being unveiled at the Intertraffic Show by Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL). The LaserAce FLM, which increases detection capability, is being launched by York and Aberdeen-based MDL (Hall, 0.1, stand 609A) as a state-of-the-art alternative to loop systems and an upgrade on current narrow-beam laser devices making it ideal for the introduction of road tolls and vehicle classification surveys.

Eye-safe laser measurement technology specialist MDL has created two LaserAce FLM models, the FLM–20 and the FLM-10, designed for different locations to increase the efficiency of vehicle detection and profiling as global demands for efficient traffic management grow.

Laser technologies offer major installation advantages over loop systems, which require traffic diversion while they are integrated with the road surface and MDL’s FLM models also offer significant operational benefits over existing laser equipment.

MDL laser modules business development manager, Dr Paul Rivers, says: “The FLM is an exciting upgrade on existing technologies where a narrow spot-beam aimed at the middle of a traffic lane can easily miss some vehicles. By implementing a stripe across the laser beam we are able to create a far wider fan which eradicates this problem.”

The rugged, stand-alone, pulse-triggered, time-of-flight systems, which have achieved the IP67 waterproof standard and have no moving parts, can easily be integrated alongside other traffic management and automatic number plate recognition technologies.

The FLM-10 is designed to be mounted alongside a camera and has a typical 30-metre range while the FLM-20 has a 12-metre range and is intended to be gantry mounted to act as a vertical detection or profiling system.

MDL has created a software developers kit so integrators can easily change the system’s operational parameters including pulse speed, range and structure of data received.

Both the FLM-10 and FLM-20 are designed for worldwide use with global service and after-sales back up from MDL technicians and franchisees.

24/01/08 04:36pm