Skip to main content

Biral RWS-20 weather sensor is made for the road

British meteorological instrument manufacturer Biral has launched what it says is “a very competitively priced” transportation road weather sensor (RWS-20). The sensor monitors visibility and obstruction to vision for road transport applications. It has been manufactured to allow easy integration with any road weather information system but it has been developed specifically for the harsh roadside environment. The RWS-20 is based upon Biral’s SWS range of visibility sensors, sharing many of its advanced tec
March 22, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Biral’s RWS-20 weather sensor is made specifically for harsh road conditions
British meteorological instrument manufacturer 8558 Biral has launched what it says is “a very competitively priced” transportation road weather sensor (RWS-20)

The sensor monitors visibility and obstruction to vision for road transport applications.

It has been manufactured to allow easy integration with any road weather information system but it has been developed specifically for the harsh roadside environment. The RWS-20 is based upon Biral’s SWS range of visibility sensors, sharing many of its advanced technical features. It uses the compact forward scatter measurement principle and remains accurate in all weather conditions, ensuring local light sources, headlights or flashing signs do not impact its operation or reliability.

The RWS-20 has a measurement range of to 7.5km for use in road applications where fog, rain, spray and snow can create dangerous driving conditions. The optical windows and sensor hoods contain heating for use in harsh weather conditions throughout the year. Both optical windows have systems for lens contamination monitoring, ensuring the visibility output is constantly compensated to maintain accuracy whilst reducing routine maintenance duties.

The unit also has self-test capabilities, along with automatic alerts for cleaning the optical windows. The product has a serial data output of RS232, RS422 or RS485, while providing analogue voltage visibility outputs (0- 10V) or the extinction coefficient (EXCO).

The RWS-20 features optional relays which directly connect to road-side signage and other control systems, allowing intelligent communication and operation of local warning signs.

Biral is based in Bristol, UK. Its products range from sensors - measuring wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility, solar radiation and other standard parameters – to complete weather stations. Biral is also a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of particle analysis and climate research instruments for science, industry and the environment.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road Markings to reduce fatal wrong-way driving
    October 31, 2012
    The latest road marking systems have been used to reduce potentially fatal wrong-way driving and promote the recent EURO 2012 football tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Guy Woodford reports According to statistics quoted by leading road marking firm Geveko, a total of 1,753 people were killed in the United States in wrong-way driving accidents from1996-2000. Wrong-way driving is also a significant issue across Europe and other parts of the world. Work to combat the potentially lethal activity took place re
  • Developments in workzone safety systems
    May 3, 2012
    Raising awareness of safety in highway work zones is a global issue, and various initiatives highlight this as Patrick Smith reports. So seriously is work zone safety taken in the United States that each year since 1999 a special week has been set aside to highlight it. Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
  • Developments in workzone safety systems
    February 8, 2012
    Raising awareness of safety in highway work zones is a global issue, and various initiatives highlight this as Patrick Smith reports. So seriously is work zone safety taken in the United States that each year since 1999 a special week has been set aside to highlight it. Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
  • Intercomp's HH400 Handheld Weighing Indicator
    August 25, 2016
    Intercomp says that its HH400 Handheld Indicator offers additional capabilities over the previous TL-RFX Indicator. This now offers added features such as output to RFX enabled wireless printers, memory storage, and RS232 output. The unit can be used for monitoring and controlling CS and TL Series Crane and Tension Link Scales, as well as PT and LP Portable Wheel Load Scales from up to 90m away. With three display modes, it allows simultaneous viewing of data from up to four scales from a large, graphic