Skip to main content

Siemens cuts through traffic

Siemens has launched an alternative traffic detection system that uses magnetic disturbances to detect vehicles and low power wireless technology to transmit data to host controllers. According to Siemens head of product management Keith Manston, the WiMag system offers a cost effective detection system for stopline, vehicle actuation, SCOOT and MOVA applications. “Using a battery-powered wireless magnetometer sensor which lies beneath the surface of the road, the WiMag system utilises disturbances in the e
October 31, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

Siemens has launched an alternative traffic detection system that uses magnetic disturbances to detect vehicles and low power wireless technology to transmit data to host controllers.

According to 1134 Siemens head of product management Keith Manston, the WiMag system offers a cost effective detection system for stopline, vehicle actuation, SCOOT and MOVA applications. “Using a battery-powered wireless magnetometer sensor which lies beneath the surface of the road, the WiMag system utilises disturbances in the earth’s magnetic field to detect passing and stationary vehicles, and relays the information to the traffic controller without the need for expensive cabling or duct works,’ said Manston.

For new sites in particular, the WiMag system is said to offer a more cost effective and flexible solution than installing traditional loop detectors, especially where detection is required at significant distances from the traffic controller. Being battery-powered, wirelessly linked and smaller in size than traditional loop detectors, WiMag is also said by Siemens to lend itself to installation at remote locations, as well as being less prone to damage by street works.

With an inbuilt low-power wireless transmitter/receiver and a dedicated battery, each sensor can detect and transmit data to an associated Access Point or battery-powered repeater unit. Simply installed in the carriageway as a loop equivalent device, the in-road sensors may be located up to 300m from the host controller, using repeater units where necessary.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Safer cycling with Siemens
    September 15, 2015
    Siemens has developed a new cycle detection system that can trigger signalling and be used to monitor user numbers. The novel WiMag Cycle Detection package uses in-ground, low-power, wireless detectors and microwave radar technology to identify and count bicycles of all types, including those made of carbon fibre. The solution complements the company’s existing WiMag, loop and radar detection solutions.
  • Fewer cables for Siemens ST950 Plus+ traffic controller
    November 8, 2017
    The latest controller and signals system from Siemens, the ST950 Plus+, uses fewer cables and a smaller controller cabinet than other systems. The aim of the Plus+ solution is to offer significant reductions in on-street installation and maintenance time, improved safety and reduce deployment costs compared to conventional methods. In short, it’s easier and faster to install and later maintain, explained Keith Manston, head of product management for Siemens.
  • Clearview magnetometer trial detects alternative to loops
    October 1, 2019
    An UK investigation into the performance of Clearview Intelligence’s magnetometers as an alternative to inductive loops on MIDAS installations has concluded they deliver like-for-like results.
  • New Siemens loop detector functionality
    November 11, 2013
    An improved version of the SLD4 loop detector family is now available from Siemens. The upgraded SLD4 is said to include sophisticated length-based classification with configurable outputs, which can be set to activate when specific conditions are detected, such as large vehicles exceeding a predefined speed. As well as offering standard vehicle detection, the latest version of the SLD4 ca