Now, monitoring traffic flow goes solar! Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the New York State Department of Transportation‘s researchers are testing a mobile RFID interrogator powered by the sun. The interrogator will be reading EZPass tags attached to passing cars for monitoring traffic flow.
Dubbed mGate, the portable RFID unit uses a a USB cable to connect to a laptop computer with its batteries charged by a solar panel.
The new solar-powered portable device helps monitor traffic flow in situations where it’s too costly or unnecessary to install a permanent RFID reader, especially where construction is underway, or on those roads with heavy traffic only during special events.
Researchers have tested a single RFID reader on Jordan Road in Troy, N.Y last week and plan to hold a pilot test with six solar-powered readers during spring.
Picture courtesy: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
