FAQs Archive - Houston Radar

Q: Can the radar output lane-by-lane average speed or occupancy data?

No. The radar will provide a True Average Speed for all incoming lanes of traffic. It cannot distinguish between individual incoming lanes. Note that the radar will reject all outgoing traffic in the speed and count calculation.

Q: Is the True Average Speed available even if I require the raw Doppler speed (e.g. for local traffic calming display purposes)?

Yes. You may chose to output the raw Doppler speeds over one serial port and poll for real-time histograms or the True Average Speed value over the second serial port using our binary protocol and thus have access to both features simultaneously. Please note, that the Advanced In-radar traffic statistics option must be purchased for the True Average Speed calculation to be enabled.

Q: How accurate is the speed measurement?

Since the speed is measured via the Doppler shift, the accuracy is significantly better than 1mph or 1kph. Additionally, the radar is able to "know" when a vehicle passes it and takes into account the cosine error generated just as the vehicle is passing the radar automatically mitigating the error introduced due to the cosine effect.

Q: Are there strict mounting requirements to use this feature?

No. Simply mount the radar at least 6 to 15 feet above or away from the road, pointing up-stream into traffic and it will track and measure the vehicle speeds on all incoming lanes. We recommend that you use this feature to monitor no more than 3 lanes of incoming traffic.

Q: What is the difference between simple Doppler from any Doppler speed radar?

The Doppler speed available from a Doppler radar is simply a speed value of a single highest speed target or target with the strongest return signal. This speed will vary widely as vehicles are detected and their speed measured. In True Average Speed mode, our radars internally track individual targets on the road simultaneously, accumulate vehicle counts over a user-specified time period (e.g. 30 seconds) and then update the average speed taking into account all the traffic on the road. This gives a much more accurate picture of the traffic pattern on the road.

Q: Can I use the PNL10 with a traditional lead acid battery or power it from AC mains?

Absolutely. The PNL10 is designed to operate from any DC source from 5.5VDC to 18VDC including traditional 12VDC nominal lead-acid batteries. To operate from AC mains, you need to provide an inexpensive 5 Watts or greater AC to DC converter. Many such converters are available in the market.

Q: Do you have a 3 digit display offering for KPH roads?

The design of the PNL10 allows it to be easily expanded to a 3rd (100's place) digit by adding an LED only "1" digit board. All the drivers for this third digit are already present on the PNL10. Please contact us for more information.

Q: What color LED's are available for the digits in the PNL10?

We offer standard "MUTCD" Amber color LED's or as an option for private locations, a very unique and eye-catching ultra white LED.

2018 Mar. 08

Can the radar output lane-by-lane average speed or occupancy data?

Vipin Malik2018-03-08T01:42:43-08:00March 8, 2018|

No. The radar will provide a True Average Speed for [...]

2018 Mar. 08

Is the True Average Speed available even if I require the raw Doppler speed (e.g. for local traffic calming display purposes)?

Vipin Malik2018-03-08T01:42:12-08:00March 8, 2018|

Yes. You may chose to output the raw Doppler speeds [...]

2018 Mar. 08

How accurate is the speed measurement?

Vipin Malik2018-03-08T01:41:06-08:00March 8, 2018|

Since the speed is measured via the Doppler shift, the [...]

2018 Mar. 08

Are there strict mounting requirements to use this feature?

Vipin Malik2018-03-08T01:39:16-08:00March 8, 2018|

No. Simply mount the radar at least 6 to 15 [...]

2018 Mar. 08

What is the difference between simple Doppler from any Doppler speed radar?

Vipin Malik2018-03-08T01:38:06-08:00March 8, 2018|

The Doppler speed available from a Doppler radar is simply [...]

2018 Mar. 07

Can I use the PNL10 with a traditional lead acid battery or power it from AC mains?

Vipin Malik2018-03-07T04:47:28-08:00March 7, 2018|

Absolutely. The PNL10 is designed to operate from any DC [...]

2018 Mar. 07

I would like to make a sign that blinks “SLOW DOWN” if vehicles are speeding. Can I do that with the PNL10?

Vipin Malik2018-03-07T04:46:41-08:00March 7, 2018|

The PNL10 can turn-on (and optionally blink) an external LED [...]

2018 Mar. 07

Does the PNL10 collect traffic statistics?

Vipin Malik2018-03-07T04:45:43-08:00March 7, 2018|

The In-Radar Advanced Traffic Statistics collection option is available.

2018 Mar. 07

Do you have a 3 digit display offering for KPH roads?

Vipin Malik2018-03-07T04:45:01-08:00March 7, 2018|

The design of the PNL10 allows it to be easily [...]

2018 Mar. 07

What color LED’s are available for the digits in the PNL10?

Vipin Malik2018-03-07T04:43:42-08:00March 7, 2018|

We offer standard "MUTCD" Amber color LED's or as an [...]