Mobile measurement stations

DLR uses mobile measurement stations with high-precision sensor technologies to record motorised and non-motorised road users at different locations. These technologies can be used in a more flexible manner within the Test Bed Lower Saxony as well as at project-specific locations, providing important findings for testing driving assistance and traffic management procedures.


What is the purpose of mobile measurement stations?

We use mobile measurement stations wherever a temporary recording and classification of the traffic situation is to be carried out. Their modular design (folding or telescopic masts on a stable concrete base or trailer) enables flexible data collection and serves as a basis for testing new technologies and operational procedures in road and rail traffic. In this way, we offer data collection and analysis of the specific traffic situations at different locations – especially for flexible applications by external partners (clients) of DLR.

Advantages and benefits of mobile installations

  • Data acquisition possible at different locations
  • Year-round testing under real-time conditions
  • Testing can be carried out with all DLR test vehicles
  • Integration of client acquisition sources can be performed in order to calculate highly precise spatial representations of traffic in real time and send them to customer vehicles (or infrastructure) (collective perception)
  • Devices can take on relay functions, for example by converting other communication sources (C-V2X or acquisition sensors) into standardised formats (for example, DENM, CPM etc …)
  • Analysis and interaction design for autonomous driving
  • Storage of data for offline applications in local database and synchronisation with the back end
  • Back-end services for flexible and dynamic traffic control

Areas of application of the mobile measurement stations

  • Use of infrastructure-based recording technology for traffic processes with set-up selected according to location and task
  • Recording, tracking, classification of motorised and non-motorised traffic
  • Analysis of behaviour in a shared traffic space
  • Analysis and interactive design for autonomous driving
  • AIM mobile measurement stations – tracking of train crossings and detection of the safety state of the level crossing (barriers open / closed or state of the traffic lights)
  • Storage of data for offline applications in local database

General and technical data

General data

  • Location: flexible at project-specific locations
  • Commissioned: 2014
  • Operation: year round
  • System: folding or telescopic masts with concrete base or trailer

Technical data

  • System with mobile sensor masts, (possibility to combine the fields of view)
  • Observation and interaction (V2X) with traffic
  • Specifically tuned sensor technologies (for example, stereo camera system and infrared flash)
  • (W-)LAN unit for data exchange and uplink via LTE connection
  • Software framework and algorithms
  • Power supply via external connection
  • Outdoor control cabinet with process computing technology

Support and cooperation

The recording of motorised and non-motorised road users via the measurement stations is carried out in cooperation with Jenoptik Robot GmbH, one of the leading companies for the production of systems for traffic monitoring. Both the permanently installed and mobile measurement stations in the Test Bed Lower Saxony are funded by the state of Lower Saxony and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), among others.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about mobile measurement stations

Where can the mobile measurement stations be used?

Our mobile set-ups can be placed anywhere at short notice and in a flexible manner – on green spaces, test sites, at level crossings, etc.

How can I book a mobile measurement station?

If you would like to book one of our mobile set-ups for your own tests, you can easily and conveniently send us an enquiry via our booking form. We will then contact you as soon as possible.

Is personal data collected with the measurement stations?

We take the protection of personal data very seriously. In the course of our data collection, anonymised vehicle positions are recorded in low image resolution. Number plates or faces are not stored.

Our research facilities and laboratories are at your disposal for tests and studies. Get in touch with us!

Contact

Marc Hohloch

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Transportation Systems
Research Infrastructure Management
Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin