Smart Traffic Monitoring

Smarter Traffic Insights Through Sound

An Introduction to Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is an innovative sensing technology that uses fiber optic cables to detect sound and vibration. For traffic monitoring, DAS turns common telecom fiber optic cables installed along roadways into dense arrays of virtual microphones.

For traffic monitoring, DAS analyzes acoustic signatures generated by passing vehicles. Factors like vehicle speed, classification, and direction can be derived by the system. Congestion and traffic flow is also assessed by monitoring noise patterns.

With comprehensive capabilities for vehicle detection, classification, and flow analysis, DAS fiber sensing unlocks game-changing traffic analytics. Transportation agencies are adopting DAS to revolutionize intelligent transportation systems and traffic management.

Cutting-Edge Capabilities for Traffic Insights

Virtual Sensing Coverage

DAS systems generate thousands of virtual acoustic sensors along fiber cables. This provides dense, distributed sensing coverage for every meter of roadway - far more than achievable with physical sensors.

A single fiber strand can generate up to 50,000 sensing points per kilometer. This virtual sensor array monitors the entire length of a road in great detail. The ultra-dense coverage also provides redundancy. If one virtual sensor is compromised, thousands of others ensure continuity.

Taking Connected Devices to the Next Level

Software-Defined Monitoring

Machine learning algorithms identify and classify acoustic patterns. DAS monitoring zones, sensitivity, and other parameters are defined through software, enabling adaptive and optimized remote traffic monitoring.

Since DAS acquires raw acoustic data, new capabilities and intelligence can be unlocked from the same data streams with software updates. No hardware changes are required to harness new algorithms as they emerge for traffic analytics, noise filtering, and parameter optimization.

The Versatility of Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Pipeline Monitoring

Perimeter intrusion detection

Power cable monitoring

Data center physical security

Underwater surveillance

The Benefits of Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) offers significant advantages over conventional sensing methods for acoustic detection and monitoring. By using standard fiber optic cables as dense virtual sensor arrays, DAS provides game-changing capabilities. The intrinsic characteristics of DAS technology enable more effective acoustic sensing compared to traditional approaches.

The following key benefits highlight how distributed acoustic sensing is revolutionizing acoustic monitoring across industries:

Dense Spatial Coverage

DAS can generate thousands of virtual sensing points per kilometer of fiber cable, enabling acoustic monitoring with very high spatial resolution. This dense coverage provides comprehensive insights.

Real-Time Data

DAS continuously analyzes acoustic signals in real time. This enables dynamic and responsive monitoring unlike intermittent or offline sensing methods

Operational Longevity