Technology Profile |
Increasing tunnel
safety in Europe
triggers a non-visible flash and
image capture. Bright, white
light flashes are excessively
dangerous in a tunnel, because
their intensity can dazzle drivers
and cause accidents. Jenoptik’s
‘Black Flash’ is invisible to the
human eye, so prevents driver
distraction.
Jenoptik is the only firm
with a German approval for
the connection of its speed
enforcement units to Variable
Message Signs (VMS). This
allows an individual vehicle’s
speed to be calculated, while
also taking the speed limit
displayed on the VMS. Once
the variable speed limit is
known, the relevant threshold
can be applied to the passage
of each vehicle, allowing
enforcement to take place.
Austrian perspective
Due to Austria’s topography,
its 165 tunnels provide
unrestricted cross-country
mobility with ASFINAG
responsible for ensuring safe
and reliable journeys through
these tunnels. Studies have
shown that accident rates in
Tunnels are critical links in
a highway infrastructure,
where any potential risks
can have a major impact –
meaning safety must be a
priority. In a tunnel, it is
particularly important that road
users adhere to speed limits.
With a large number of
projects already implemented
for tunnel monitoring in
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
and the UK as well as a wide
range of technology
possibilities, Jenoptik has a
range of proven solutions to
address tunnel safety.
Speed management
Spot speed measurements in the
tunnel (piezo technology) or the
calculation of average speed over
the entire tunnel section (laser
scanner or ANPR technology)
depends on the characteristics
of the tunnel and the specific
country’s requirements. In
Germany, the range of services
needed includes facial
recognition of the driver
and simultaneous capture
of the number plate. Local data
protection regulations are still
preventing the use of average
speed systems, so piezo systems
in tunnels are currently the best
permitted solution, but this
introduces maintenance
challenges as the road surface
must be accessed. TraffiStar S350
laser technology from Jenoptik
will soon be able to offer a
solution approved by the
authorities (Physikalisch-
Technische Bundesanstalt) that
does not require any invasive
loops within the carriageway.
Three piezo sensors are
required for each lane. Driving
over these sensitive sensors
allows an intelligent preamplifier
to digitize the signals and
determine the speed based
on the distance-time principle.
Exceeding the set limit then
| Need to know
Tunnel safety
technology from
Jenoptik
> Black Flash is a nonvisible
flash so avoids
dazzling or distracting
drivers
> Section Control can
regulate traffic and
control VMS information
from outside the tunnel
environment and the health of
local residents. The range of
information displayed by the
VMS is diverse: from the display
of various traffic and weather
situations to accident warnings
and information on detours,
displaying speed limits or
overtaking prohibitions.
Jenoptik’s Section Control is
connected to the tunnel control
and VMS - the displayed speed
limit then becomes the enforced
Above: Jenoptik’s Black Flash
system is in use in Germany
Right: Section Control is fixed
to gantries outside the tunnel
Traffic Technology International January/February 2020
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the entrance area of tunnels
are higher than in other areas.
It makes sense, therefore, to
install speed monitoring devices
before the tunnel entrance and
after the corresponding exit,
to continuously regulate and
monitor the speed as the tunnel
progresses. This removes the
need for equipment within
the tunnel bores, increasing
safety and reduces maintenance
challenges possibilities.
Jenoptik’s Section Control
is based on non-invasive laser
technology. A pair of laser
scanners are used to trigger
the cameras at the entry and
exit section and additionally
offer the possibility to classify
the passing vehicles.
With the innovative Section
Control and a modern traffic
management system, it is
possible to intelligently control
the flow of traffic through the
Bindermichl Tunnel in the
Austrian city of Linz. As a
result, motorists are less often
stuck in traffic jams and have
safer journeys. Additionally,
pollution is reduced, which
further enhances the
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