Optical vehicle detector using range finding method.

This article presents the principle features of Toshiba's new optical vehicle detector. Optical vehicle detectors are used in the new Universal Traffic Management Systems (UTMS). They are installed upon the road and detect passing vehicles. They also provide two-way communications with in-vehicle communication units in optical transmission mode. Near-infrared rays are used for this device. Toshiba is upgrading the detector's sensitivity of passing vehicles by incorporating optical range-finding method. (A)