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

  • Taiwan’s new tunnel safety technology
    August 30, 2012
    Moxa has equipped Taiwan’s Hsuehshan Tunnel with its NPort 5230 device servers and EDS-508A-SS-SC Ethernet switches as part of the tunnel emergency traffic control system. The tunnel is south east Asia's second longest road tunnel and comprises three independent tunnels (one pilot tunnel, one West-bound tunnel, and one east-bound tunnel) stretching 12.9 kilometers through Hsuehshan Mountain, the second highest mountain in East Asia.
  • Clearer road markings influence driver behaviour
    July 12, 2012
    Research into driver behaviour has identified that driver safety and decision-making can be positively influenced by clearer and higher performing road markings. Patrick Smith reports. Bare roads will lead to total vehicular confusion. Markings are painted on the road to direct, guide and regulate the road user, and include all lines patterns, words and colours applied on or attached to the road surface or kerb for these purposes.
  • Advances in tunneling technology offer efficiency
    October 18, 2017
    New developments in tunnelling technologies offer contractors greater efficiencies when constructing new bores. Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are widely being used in major projects such as the Brenner Base Tunnel in the Austrian Alps. Full face TBMs are highly sophisticated machines featuring a rotating drilling head, which removes the material, and, depending on the type of construction, secures the excavated tunnel with shotcrete, rock bolts and wire mesh or prefabricated segments of reinforced concrete.
  • Better detection
    February 22, 2012
    Parker Hannifin has improved its range of icount online particle and moisture detectors. The firm now offers an innovative self-contained, portable device for measuring quality and cleanliness of hydraulic oils and fuels. Called the icountOS (Oil Sampler), this competitively priced system features a laser detection particle counter, battery and pump.