How Wavetronix Radar Sensors Help
Keep Traffic Moving Safely
Newly installed Wavetronix Detection as of August 2025: Once detection is added, all four signals will know how many cars are present and can skip or shorten phases when lanes are empty, reducing wasted green time and improving flow. In short, detection will let the signals better monitor traffic and adjust in real-time to reduce delays.
Wavetronix radar sensors are high-tech tools used to monitor traffic and help keep roads safe and efficient. Here's how they work, step by step:
1. Using radar to "See" Cars
Wavetronix sensors emit radio waves toward the roadway. When these waves hit a moving or stationary vehicle, they bounce back to the sensor.
2. Tracking Speed, Distance, and Direction
The sensor measures:
- How far away the vehicle is: The time delay of the return signal → indicates how far the vehicle is.
- How fast the vehicle is going: The change in frequency (Doppler shift) → indicates how fast the vehicle is moving.
- Which direction it's traveling: The direction of movement → shows the direction of traffic flow.
This helps traffic systems react in real time to live traffic on the roadway.
3. Lane-by-Lane Detection
A core feature of Wavetronix sensors is their ability to detect individual lanes. Unlike traditional loops, these sensors can identify:
- Vehicle count
- Speed
- What type of vehicle is it (motorcycle, car, truck, etc.)
- How long a vehicle stays in the detection zone
4. All-Weather Operation
Because these sensors use radar—not cameras or sensors in the pavement— Wavetronix sensors function all day/night, and in all weather conditions: rain or shine, even in snow or fog.
5. Installation
Wavetronix sensors are mounted above the road, usually on poles or overhead structures, and angled to monitor all lanes of traffic. This setup makes them faster and easier to install and maintain compared to in-pavement sensors.
Previous Traffic Signalization:
The traffic signals operated on fixed timing, with each phase running for a set duration regardless of actual traffic. Since there was no vehicle detection, the signals couldn't adjust based on how many cars were present. This system often led to wasted green time on empty lanes and increased delays.
Bottom Line: Wavetronix radar sensors help traffic systems run smoothly and safely by giving real-time, reliable information—no matter the weather or time of day.
