Skip to main content

Smart vehicle tracking system from Colas and Iknaia

Colas and wireless systems technology specialist Iknaia have developed a sophisticated system that allows the real-time active management of diversion routes without recourse to ANPR technology. The Airscan package uses anonymous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals transmitted by visible devices in passing vehicles. Data is collected by sensors and relayed to variable messaging signs (VMS) which then advise road users in advance of potential delays and allow for strategic checks by maintenance teams. As part of
April 1, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
184 Colas and wireless systems technology specialist Iknaia have developed a sophisticated system that allows the real-time active management of diversion routes without recourse to ANPR technology.

The Airscan package uses anonymous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals transmitted by visible devices in passing vehicles. Data is collected by sensors and relayed to variable messaging signs (VMS) which then advise road users in advance of potential delays and allow for strategic checks by maintenance teams. As part of the system, Traffic Management (TM) teams are also issued with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags that can be used to monitor the location of teams by checking in staff as they pass sensors on their route.

The system was trialled successfully on the M3 motorway in the UK and will now be used elsewhere. This approach to active management of diversion routes will continue to operate on the M3 smart motorway project and will be rolled out across other 8100 Highways England schemes to complement Intelligent Transport Systems strategies across the UK.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Traffic management software tools
    March 5, 2012
    A joint development project between Delcan Corporation and Intelligent Devices Incorporated (IDI) has resulted in the sophisticated Intelligent NETworks product. This is an integrated product that combines the IDI Intelligent Control NTCIP system with the Delcan advanced transportation applications of NETworks. The system can be linked to dynamic message signs (DMS), CCTV and vehicle detector stations (VDS), traffic intersections, as well as environment road weather sensor stations.
  • Swarco VMS for Renfrewshire
    June 26, 2025
    SWARCO UK & Ireland’s placed a series of 24 RGB VMS on the approach to Renfrew Bridge either side of the River Clyde near Glasgow in Scotland.
  • Oklahoma opts for IRD’s electronic truck screening system
    September 30, 2016
    In a US$2.59 million contract, Dynamics (IRD) is to build, implement and maintain a port-of-entry (POE) electronic screening system for commercial vehicles in the US state of Oklahoma.
  • 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.