Fiber Modal Interferometric Networks for Enhanced Vehicle Identification and Traffic Flow Analysis

This paper describes a fiber optic interferometer-based system for real-time vehicle identification and characterization. The system consists of two in-line fiber interferometers embedded in road material to detect essential vehicle parameters such as speed, weight, axle count, and wheelbase. The proposed system recognizes a wide range of vehicles, including lightweight motorcycles to passenger buses with high fidelity. With a sensitivity of 40 pm/100 kg, the system allows for exact weight estimation, and its real-time signal acquisition capabilities make it useful in traffic monitoring, vehicle categorization, and weight-in-motion applications. The technology is immune to electromagnetic interference with high stability and tolerance towards environmental changes.