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Testing traffic recording systems

The traffic volumes on German roads are increasing constantly. Maintaining traffic flow and increasing traffic safety depends increasingly on up-to-date and exact information on the traffic situation. Data on traffic flow, called traffic data, form the basis for analysing the current situation and future scenarios. In addition to being used in traffic planning and roadway operation, the traffic data also form the backbone for modern telematic services such as traffic management systems, digital traffic warning systems and dynamic navigation systems.

The traffic data are determined using special measuring devices in roadside stations called traffic recording devices. Aspects covered by the recorded data include the number of vehicles, the speed of travel and the vehicle category.

In accordance with the Technical Terms of Delivery for Roadside Stations (Technischen Lieferbedingungen für Streckenstationen - TLS), tests must be carried out to check the suitability of the traffic recording devices for federal trunk roads. The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development has commissioned BASt to carry out this test.

A test field for traffic recording systems was therefore installed in 1995 in order to develop a test procedure. The test field that was modernized and extended in 2012.

It is situated on the A4 autobahn (test field length 92.6 kilometres) near the exit for Bensberg on the lanes heading towards Cologne. This area is a two-lane, unidirectional roadway with hard shoulder and no permanent speed limit.

The tests to determine the suitability of traffic recording devices are carried out in this test field in accordance with the TLS using specimen devices. The test procedure can be used to test devices which detect vehicles using inductive loops. The following sub-tests are carried out in this procedure, depending on the manufacturer configuration:

  • Vehicle classification
  • Number of vehicles
  • Speed