Problems We Solve Markets Radar Solutions Projects Why Navtech? Innovation Lab Support
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Hard Shoulder Monitoring

Navtech's hard shoulder monitoring detects stopped vehicles, debris and pedestrians in seconds on a hard shoulder using 360° long-range radar.

Operators can use the information to get help to stranded drivers faster and to check the hard shoulder is clear before opening it to traffic, where a dynamic hard shoulder is in use.

HARD SHOULDER MONITORING

What is hard shoulder monitoring?

Hard shoulder monitoring is the detection of stopped vehicles, pedestrians, and debris on the hard shoulder or emergency rest area of a motorway.

Road users on the hard shoulder are in a vulnerable position due to fast-flowing traffic. Hard shoulder monitoring means operators can react faster to decrease the likelihood of a secondary incident by setting warning signs and deploying help.

The solution is also used to improve safety and efficiency where a dynamic hard shoulder is in operation. This means that in times of peak traffic flow, the hard shoulder will be opened to traffic to increase capacity. Debris commonly builds up on the hard shoulder from traffic in the adjacent carriageway, and vehicles can be stopped on the hard shoulder. Without automatic hard shoulder monitoring, highway traffic officers must drive the length of the hard shoulder to verify it is clear before the lane can be safely opened.

WHY RADAR?

Why use radar for hard shoulder monitioring?

Radar works in poor visibility when accidents are more likely to happen. This includes incidents related to stopped vehicles and pedestrians on the hard shoulder. Radar works in fog, heavy rain, snow, glare, and in the dark. It is in these conditions that other technologies start to fail, while radar continues to work at the most critical times.

ITS SOLUTION Why use Navtech's 360° radar solution?

Navtech’s hard shoulder monitoring solution automatically detects pedestrians, stopped vehicles, and debris on the hard shoulder in seconds.

It enables operators to quickly set warning signs to alert drivers, close lanes, and deploy response teams. 360° long-range radar mean the entire freeway, or motorway, is covered by fewer sensors. Flexible, rules-based software means hard shoulder areas can be differentiated from the main carriageway and have their own alert rules applied. To further reduce the operator’s workload and speed up the setting of safety measures, the ITS solution can be integrated with your wider traffic management system to automatically trigger warning signs and close the adjacent lane when a vehicle or pedestrians are detected.

Navtech’s hard shoulder monitoring is also used by road authorities to operate dynamic hard shoulders more safely and efficiently. It removes the need for manual checks before the opening of the lane. The same system can also provide traffic flow information to help operators make informed decisions on when to open and close the dynamic lane, or alter the speed limit to manage travel times across their network.

Detects in seconds, improving safety

ClearWay detects stopped vehicles and pedestrians in hard shoulder areas so warning signs can be set, lanes closed, and response teams deployed faster.

Clearly define hard shoulder and emergency areas

Know when a stopped vehicle is on the hard shoulder and not in a live lane so operators can prioritise responses when there are multiple live incidents.

360° long-range radar cover the entire freeway

Have visibility across your network with fewer sensors that operate in all conditions. Our radar detect up to 500m in all directions, meaning we cover all lanes and both carriageways.

Multiple applications from the same system

The same system can deliver traffic flow information to support dynamic lane operation, as well as additional automatic incident detection and count and classification capabilities, with no further infrastructure required.

ClearWay

Navtech’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS) will find a stopped vehicle or wrong-way driver in seconds so operators can get assistance to road users faster. The same system can provide further actionable data such as vehicle count and classification.

Find out more about ClearWay
Ask us a question

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Get in touch