The advantages of our TAPS ground sensors for parking lot monitoring are obvious. The small, low-maintenance sensors are easy to install, energy-autonomous and exceptionally reliable with a detection accuracy of more than 99 percent. But how do parking sensors work to achieve this level of precision? In the following article, we will take a closer look at the functional principle.
Our TAPS sensors are based on the principle of the so-called magnetoresistive effect. This physical effect has been known since the 19th century. The electrical resistance in ferromagnetic alloys changes with the variation of an external magnetic field. More precisely, the resistance changes with the angle at which a magnetic field acts on the conductor.
With current technology, even small changes in electrical resistance can be measured very accurately. Cars and other vehicles made of metal have a significant influence on magnetic fields. This fact is also exploited, for example, by induction loops, which are used in road traffic to control traffic lights that are switched according to traffic conditions.
The simple mode of operation of the TAPS sensor also allows the technology to be packed into a small, compact device. This simplifies installation enormously compared to other solutions. Neither cables need to be laid nor the parking lot floor opened up over a large area. Only a single hole is required. The sensor is inserted into this hole and works independently from this point on.
The sensor's tempered safety glass protects the device from environmental influences such as rain and snow. It is also no problem if cars drive directly over the sensor. On average, our ground sensors can be used for well over ten years and require exceptionally little maintenance.
The TAPS sensors installed in the parking lot now detect changes in parking conditions and can store the data. But how can they be used? Using a proprietary radio standard, the sensors transmit the currently recorded data to a central gateway.
The gateway has a detection reach of up to 150 meters. It also processes the data from up to 64 ground sensors. This means that a single gateway is often sufficient to register the sensor data of an entire parking lot. For larger parking lots, there is the option to extend the range and capacity of the system.
In addition, it is possible to carry out communication using a wide range of standards. These include, for example:
LoRa
SigFox
LTE
WiFi
This means that the TAPS sensors can be used in an enormously wide range of applications.
The gateway collects the data and transmits it in the next step to the TAPS software. This is a sophisticated management application that visually displays and analyzes the utilization of the parking facility. In addition, it provides an API that allows the data to be used by other programs and devices.
The API (application programming interface) of the TAPS system is of central importance. This is because it gives users of our sensors the option of further processing real-time parking space occupancy data with their own software. For example, the information can be transferred to a cloud provider for advanced analysis.
But very practical system solutions can also be implemented in this way. These include traffic lights or display panels that warn of increased parking space utilization. Even the dynamic pricing of parking spaces is conceivable.
If you are interested in the TAPS technology, the LTS AG team will be happy to answer your questions. We look forward to being contacted by phone or mail.
Emanuell Tomes holds a degree in business informatics and has extensive training in software development. His professional career began with software developments for the City of Zurich and other public offices. Later, he independently developed geographic information systems for major clients. He has been on board since the birth of LTS AG and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2019.
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In der Schweiz sind fast 4.8 Millionen Autos immatrikuliert. Und diese riesige Menge an Fahrzeugen bewegt sich Tag für Tag durch die Strassen des Landes. Für viele Institutionen ist es wichtig, möglichst genau zu wissen, wie viele Autos wo unterwegs sind. Dafür werden regelmässig Verkehrszählungen durchgeführt.
Traffic
Verkehrszählung
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Parkplätze sind in den Städten der Welt zu einem raren Gut geworden. Immer mehr Autos drängen durch die Strassen und suchen nach einem Abstellplatz. Das ist aus mehreren Gründen ein grosses Problem. Daher haben wir von der LTS AG mit TAPS eine praktische Lösung entwickelt. Damit lässt sich Smart Parking leicht und innovativ umsetzen.
Parking
Smart Park