Virtual detection at traffic signals is the newest approach towards providing detection solutions that take advantage of mobile devices, and supports growing trends towards limiting interaction with public facilities because of COVID-19 safety concerns.
 

Virtual Detection includes users (i.e., bicyclists, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, transit, or rail) sharing their GPS position through a mobile app or GPS tracker. At the cloud, the position data is typically compared against a geofence boundary around a traffic signal. If the user is outside of the geofence boundary area, their position data is ignored. Once the position data is within the geofence boundary area, tracking algorithms calculate trajectory and speed to validate position and then a “detection request” is sent to the traffic signal controller operating the intersection.

How the detection request is delivered to the traffic signal controller is critical and the traffic signal controller determines how to handle the request based on its programming. The detection request can be sent directly to the traffic signal controller through the Cloud over cellular (preferred) or through the central management system of the entire traffic signal network (not preferred due to introduction of latency).
 

Virtual Detection is the most exciting technology development traffic operations. Read more about specific virtual detection manufacturers below. If you have new equipment appropriate for inclusion on this page, please Contact Us.