Parking sensors are the answer to traffic challenges
The trend toward urbanization continues. More and more people are living in cities and their mobility is increasing the volume of traffic. Smart solutions are needed with regard to traffic control and the search for parking spaces.
With TAPS, we offer an innovative system that meets many of the requirements of a modern sensor. It helps to manage complexity. With TAPS, we rely on a modularly designed complete solution, wireless transmission technology and simple installation at the desired location.
The system is designed for use on roads and parking lots. It equally detects moving traffic and parked cars. This makes it a comprehensive solution for the digitization of traffic.
Sustainable and energy self-sufficient
With TAPS, we confidently present a solution that is superior to previous approaches such as energy-intensive traffic detection using induction loops. The installation and maintenance of these loops is already expensive, and there are also high operating costs. All of this is eliminated with TAPS sensors and associated systems. The smart traffic and parking management system TAPS relies on a completely energy-autonomous operating ground sensor.
This operates with a high detection accuracy and carries out the transmission of the collected data in real time. The rapid forwarding of information is particularly valuable in busy areas. This is because it enables a rapid response.
This makes it possible, for example, to inform road users at an early stage about significantly increased traffic volumes and impending traffic jams. They can then choose a different route and save time. The faster the sensor provides information and solutions, the better the satisfaction of road users.
It is capable of both stationary and dynamic detection. This makes integration into intelligent steering systems for traffic outstandingly feasible. Many advantages of this technology are obvious. For example, our advanced energy concept eliminates the need for batteries or rechargeable batteries. The ground sensor supplies itself with the energy it needs.
For this purpose, various magnetic field and radar technologies are used, which give the sensors complete energy independence. This also means that there are no energy costs due to power consumption. Furthermore, it is not necessary to lay cables in the ground. This significantly reduces installation costs. But more about this later.
What makes the parking sensors so durable and robust?
And even more outstanding quality features characterize our ground sensor from. These include a robustly constructed housing and the use of safety glass. The product has a high manufacturing quality, is low-maintenance and is resistant to weather conditions. Moisture in the ground, for example, cannot harm the sensor. Thanks to IP code 67, it can even withstand 100 percent humidity. It would even survive temporary submersion under water without damage. Temperatures between -25 °C and 65 °C also leave the TAPS sensor unimpressed. The user can expect reliable protection for at least ten years.
But let's get back to the topic of maintenance. Not only the energy-autonomous mode of operation, but also the high-quality and robust design makes the TAPS sensors very low-maintenance.
This is a great advantage in the busy traffic environment. Road closures due to maintenance work and the rerouting of vehicles are thus unnecessary. Stalled traffic and congestion are reduced, and road users can drive their planned routes undisturbed.
Even if updates are pending, restrictions on traffic are not necessary, because they can be performed remotely. Incidentally, the same applies to the configuration of the sensor. Maintenance work is only necessary about every ten years, because then the TAPS sensor has to be replaced.
Rapidly installed
For undisturbed installation of the TAPS sensor, traffic must inevitably be interrupted, but only for about 30 minutes. Since the sensor does not require any cables at all, there is no need to tear up the road over a large area. This saves a lot of time and also budget.
All it takes is a targeted drill hole and the heart of the smart traffic and parking management system can be deployed. A TAPS sensor is just 155 millimeters in diameter, 46 millimeters high and weighs 1.5 kilograms. With a suitable crown drill, installation is quickly completed and traffic can continue as usual without delay.
How can a parking sensor do something to protect the environment?
When it comes to finding parking spaces and general traffic on the roads, TAPS sensors make a significant contribution to protecting the environment. In Switzerland alone, around 5.5 million vehicles are registered. These cover an average of 12,000 kilometers each. In total, this adds up to 66 billion kilometers. Let's also take a look at the carbon dioxide emissions. For a passenger car, this amounts to between 120 and 300 grams per kilometer, depending on the model. That brings us to a figure of between 7.9 and 19.8 megatons of carbon dioxide per year - and that's just in Switzerland.
To keep these enormous numbers as low as possible, it is therefore crucial to reduce unnecessary kilometers driven as far as possible. The same applies to traffic jams. On the national road network, just under 20,000 hours of congestion accumulated in 2020. During this time, countless cars emit unnecessary amounts of CO2, which further pollute the environment.
Since information about traffic events is passed on quickly with the help of TAPS sensors, road users know about obstructions in a timely manner. The operator can also react quickly and provide information about favorable detours so that even more vehicles do not drive toward the traffic jam. Also important in reducing the number of kilometers driven is shortening the search for parking spaces. The number of vehicles traveling on Swiss roads is increasing. This does not make finding a free parking space any easier.
In big cities, it can take ten minutes or more to find a suitable parking space. This makes the use of parking sensors all the more valuable. Thanks to them, road users can be informed at an early stage where parking spaces are available and where they are not.
Our contribution to intelligent parking management
With our sensors, customers can fully integrate their parking spaces into their mobility chain. Typical problems with parking today are excess demand and the resulting high search traffic.
A smart parking system provides a remedy at this point. For this purpose, each parking space is equipped with a TAPS sensor that transmits the current status - free or occupied. Whether parking garages, parking decks, public parking lots, parking spaces for residents or managed parking spaces - a Smart Parking System can be installed anywhere. If required, it also monitors time-limited parking as well as the allocation to specific persons. These can be, for example, tenants of a parking space or persons with special authorization. This makes the Smart Parking System equally interesting for institutions and companies.
Dynamic, intelligent traffic control in real time facilitates the management of parking space enormously. Cities and municipalities, parking service providers, airports, hotel operators and property managers are just a few examples of potential customers for this system. Many journeys are made possible by a intelligent park management avoidable. This reduces traffic and the associated noise and pollution. Customers receive a suitable gateway for our parking sensors.
It is part of TAPS and is responsible for forwarding the data obtained from the sensors. These can be further processed in a further step with suitable software. The data is processed in a variety of ways. It allows important conclusions to be drawn about the current parking and traffic situation in the area managed by the operator. For example, we offer users our TAPS analysis tool. On the one hand, it enables an evaluation of the parking behavior currently being observed, and on the other, it ensures orderly intervention in the situation. TAPS includes the necessary app technology to communicate directly with the customer. The operator can communicate important information about the current parking situation to the customer and guide him. This further increases the benefit of the installed sensors. In addition, real-time data from third-party providers can be integrated on the platform.
The entire infrastructure from a single source
For us, the parking sensor is not just a single component, but part of an overall system. Different hardware must work together in perfect coordination to enable the desired function of traffic detection and fast data transmission. The following components are involved in this at TAPS:
The customer receives parking sensors and all other required components from a single source. Data is transmitted via our proprietary radio protocol. This is characterized by its high stability, high security level and corresponding reliability. All components work together optimally and ensure a smooth process.
This is how dynamic traffic routing succeeds
Our sensors not only detect stationary vehicles. They also register flowing traffic. A typical example is the detection of vehicles at intersections.
It is sufficient to install two or three sensors and an associated relay station for each lane. This enables the operator to record the actual condition of the road and obtain the data for comprehensive evaluations.
Analyses are possible, as are tendency calculations. Only then can operators obtain the data they need for effective traffic control. It also enables a realistic assessment of the situation on the road. Many applications can be realized with it, such as the following:
Anticipatory traffic control, for example for detours and emergency lanes
Adaptive traffic management
Predictions and planning for maintenance work
Traffic counts
Temporary use in construction site light signal
Parking space planning
Traffic routing adapted to recent events
We've already talked about dealing with traffic jams and making it easier to find a parking space. But TAPS sensors enable much more. Among other things, road users are informed about road works and other obstructions on the roads. If, for example, an entire direction of travel is suddenly blocked, the driver first has to rethink.
He may remain in his position for a few seconds. In this way, he may attract the displeasure of other motorists who do not yet know what is going on. The driver is forced to turn around in the middle of the road because there is no other way. This can cause chaos. Everyone else does the same, and accidents quickly occur due to carelessness. This only restricts the flow of traffic even more. If road users are informed in good time about where the road is currently blocked, they can take a different route beforehand. In combination with digital display panels, operators have the option of rerouting traffic immediately. This means that even road users who are less familiar with the area can reach their destination quickly without getting lost.
Traffic light signals can also be controlled with the help of TAPS sensors. Long green phases on roads that are rarely used make little sense. But it is not possible to make general statements about the volume of traffic everywhere. This is when the sensors prove to be valuable helpers.
As long as no vehicle is approaching the traffic light, it remains red and the stronger oncoming traffic has free passage for longer. Only when a road user approaches the traffic light does it switch to green. The information required for this is provided by sensor technology.
Parking sensors are the prerequisite for smart cities
Without intelligent traffic control, the smart cities would be inconceivable. With our parking sensor, we are therefore providing a crucial building block for the city of tomorrow.
A smart city offers a high quality of life with minimal consumption of resources. Livable, resource-efficient, sustainable and innovative are the keywords with which we at LTS AG also identify.
The latest technologies and advances in digitalization are designed to help make a city "smart. This also applies in the area of mobility, and this is where we tie in. This includes parking, among other things. With our technology, we are solving a large number of existing problems and helping to manage parking more efficiently. With our sensors, our customers detect wrong-way parkers and road users whose search for a parking space causes excessive emissions. Operators identify parking spaces that are unevenly utilized and recognize when the maximum parking time is exceeded.
Our technology can reduce costs, increase fee revenue through improved efficiency, and implement new services. Staff supported by sensor technology can be deployed more profitably. It is possible to achieve an increase in the number of tickets per shift.
Search times are falling, as are CO2 emissions. When charging e-cars, charging processes can be optimized and the user experience improved.
Proven parking sensors ready for practical use
Our sensors are not dreams of the future, but a technology that has already been tested in practical use. It has proven its market potential and shown that it works reliably and delivers the desired data.
We have been able to demonstrate the capabilities of our parking sensors to interested parties from the transport industry and the public sector. The technology is ready for the market. We address a broad target group with our parking sensor and the entire TAPS system. The following stakeholders can benefit from our product:
Companies
Cities and municipalities
Public institutions
Parking manager
Airports, hotels, rest areaS
Charging station operator
Traffic Integrators
Real estate manager
Traffic Planner
Parking Services
About LTS AG
The foundation of our company took place in Aadorf in 2017. From the beginning, we have been committed to digitalization in transportation. We want to provide solutions for better data collection with less infrastructure. Our first assignment was to develop an alternative for the conventional induction loops for the city of Zurich.
We can rely on an experienced and excellently trained team of experts to implement our projects. This benefits all customers who require solutions for their traffic and parking applications. We were able to complete the important basic development for our parking sensor in 2019. A pilot project in Switzerland followed in the same year. Since then, we have been focusing on expansion, development and sales.
An international pilot project, which was also successfully carried out, followed in 2020. Interested parties take now contact to us. We will be happy to inform you about our parking sensors for efficient parking space search and modern traffic management.
)
)