An Acoustic Sensor for Measuring Traffic Variables

The Intelligent Vehicle-Highway System (IVHS) program requires a large number of sensors to accurately measure traffic data. A novel passive acoustic sensing scheme based upon a triple-aperture microphone array is proposed as an inexpensive, reliable alternative to other sensors under consideration. A single sensor exhibits the potential for monitoring several lanes of traffic simultaneously. An algorithm for determining vehicle speed and range from the microphone outputs is discussed and directions for future research are identified. Thesis Supervisor: James K. Roberge Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering Thesis Supervisor: Anthony F. Hotz Title: Off-Campus Supervisor