ITS Teknik, a specialist in traffic solutions, has adopted the Anybus Wireless Bridge to improve traffic flow management. The technology enables efficient wireless communication between traffic systems, minimizing disruptions and ensuring smoother operations. This integration supports ITS Teknik in maintaining traffic efficiency and reliability.
Traffic signaling systems
A key area for ITS Teknik is traffic signaling systems, where their most advanced range uses radar from the German manufacturer smartmicro. These 24 GHz radars detect the position and speed of every road user within their coverage area. They can track up to 256 objects across multiple lanes. This data supports real-time traffic management, helping optimize signal control and improve safety.
The Challenge: Connecting radars
While smartmicro provides the radar, it does not include a built-in communication solution, so ITS Teknik needed a way to transmit data from the radar to the control cabinet. Lars Jakobsen, ITS Teknik vice director, explained: “The standard method is to send communication over a cable, but for existing intersections, installing new cables isn’t easy. In some places, we’re not allowed to dig, and even when it’s permitted, we have to close the road or at least one lane, which obviously disrupts traffic. Plus, digging is costly — it requires hiring subcontractors, and you’re never sure what you’ll find underground, so it’s hard to provide accurate estimates to our customers.”
The Solution: Anybus Wireless Bridge II Serial
Wireless technology provides an effective solution to these challenges. “Wireless is a very attractive option because we can use the existing poles to install the radar and then connect it wirelessly to the control cabinet. It’s quicker, cheaper, and far less disruptive,” explained Lars.
To find a wireless solution, ITS Teknik partnered with HMS Networks, who recommended the Anybus Wireless Bridge II, designed for establishing reliable point-to-point wireless connections. Industrial sensors often rely on serial communication due to its simplicity and reliability. In this case, the radar sensor uses RS-422, a serial interface fully supported by the Anybus Wireless Bridge II.
The Anybus Wireless Bridge II (1.) is connected to the radar (2.) via a single serial cable and paired with another Anybus Wireless Bridge II in the control cabinet. Source: HMS Industrial Networks
How it works
The Anybus Wireless Bridge II is connected to the radar via a single serial cable, supplying both power and transmitting data. A second bridge is installed within the control cabinet and connected to ITS's interface card. The two bridges are paired over Bluetooth, enabling wireless communication between the radar and the control cabinet.
Reliable connections are critical for accurate traffic actuation. Lars explained, “You need to predict a vehicle's position, speed, proximity to the stop line, and the exact moment to change the signal from green to yellow to red. It’s about timing the signal change to the split second.”
The project has proven successful, with Anybus Wireless Bridges installed in 300 intersections, totaling 1,600 units supporting 800 radars.
Solving problems together
Using wireless technology to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently is a new application, and like many new applications, it has had some initial challenges. “When a large vehicle, like a truck, passes, it can disrupt the wireless connection. For the communication to work properly, we can’t have too many gaps in the data flow. But we’ve worked closely with HMS engineers, and together we’ve reduced these disruptions to an acceptable level.”
Future plans
ITS Teknik first started working with Anybus Wireless products in 2015, beginning with the Anybus Wireless Bridge I before moving on to the Anybus Wireless Bridge II. The partnership is working well, and together they’re tackling the next challenge.
“A lot of the control cabinets still use dial-up internet — a technology that’s being phased out. But this technology is being phased out faster than the upgrade of the controllers, leading to communication issues with these older control cabinets.”
To address this, ITS Teknik and HMS Networks are looking into using an HMS Netbiter to remotely access the traffic system. “The Netbiter could allow us to program the traffic system remotely over 4G. Without this capability, when dial-up internet fails, we won’t have a way to monitor the traffic system, forcing us to travel to the site for any issues. This is both time-consuming and expensive”.
The next generation of radar sensors will support Ethernet communication instead of serial, so ITS Teknik plans to start testing the Anybus II Bridge Ethernet. The Ethernet Bridges can handle more data and can be combined with Anybus Access Points, opening up possibilities for more comprehensive monitoring.
