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

  • Driving recycling, unlocking the value of UK roads
    May 16, 2016
    Concerned about the risk of material failure, many local authorities and network operators have been reluctant to incorporate high recycled content asphalt into the surface course of UK roads. David Smith, development director at FM Conway, explained why asphalt recycling is crucial to maximising the value of Britain’s largely untapped road asset.
    Read More
  • TNO tests cooperative adaptive cruise control vehicles
    March 19, 2012
    The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, is in the process of developing a low cost cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) technology. This is being demonstrated in a test fleet of Toyota Prius cars in which factory-fitted long-range radar is used together with wireless vehicle to vehicle communications (802.11p and ETSI Geonet) and GPS based location, to enable CACC.
    Read More
  • Tackling the UK's traffic congestion
    February 28, 2012
    The biggest problem on UK roads is congestion, and there is no shortage of ideas as to how it should be tackled. Patrick Smith reports. Congestion (and how to relieve it), along with safety, are among the top priorities facing those responsible for looking after the UK's roads. Road pricing, car-share lanes, greener vehicle initiatives and alternative methods of transport such as buses, trams and rail are all part of the approach, but prior to the current economic climate the nation's love affair with the c
    Read More
  • Noise camera knowledge is far from sound
    February 7, 2025
    Despite the UK public wanting measures to tackle noisy vehicles, knowledge of noise cameras, such as the SoundVue system from Intelligent Instruments, is low, according to a recent poll.
    Read More

Highlighted Content