The use of radar as part of the UK Highway Agency (HA)'s Hard Shoulder Monitoring System (HASMOS) to aid opening the hard shoulder as an extra running lane and for other applications is discussed. 3- and 5-radar systems have been used to detect incidents across all lanes with alarms generated based on speeds falling below predetermined thresholds. Trials carried out using video footage as a comparison showed a high detection rate and lownumber of false alarms. Other applications suggested include queue detection and use at multiple loop sites. Details are provided of the coverageachievable. The Navtech systems used by the HA offer a number of communications and power options, some of which offer the possibility of portableapplications. Systems operate at 77GHz and multiple radar systems can benetworked. Future developments anticipated include a reduction in the diameter of the blind spot around a unit to 4 m and the deployment of systems in tunnels.
Abstract