Detection provides an essential source of traffic information to signal controllers. Historically inductive loops and the early above ground detectors all delivered a single output corresponding to a single detection zone. Traffic control algorithms were developed against this constraint.
New technologies can simultaneously monitor multiple areas or objects of interest and report on all of them. To enable the best use of these detectors TOPAS is developing standards for a communication protocol for detector to controller data transmission,
which is currently at the field trial stage, and a standard for assessing the detection quality for multiple areas of interest to ensure users procure the right products for their needs.