Have you ever wondered about those inconspicuous black cables on the ground while driving? They may not look like much, but they serve a crucial purpose. Let’s dive deeper and find out more!

What are Road Tubes?

Road tubes, as they are called, are those black cables carefully placed on the ground. They play a vital role in gathering important information about traffic patterns for local transportation agencies. To avoid inconveniencing drivers, you’ll often find them discreetly positioned.

How Do They Work?

Road tubes operate in a straightforward manner. When a vehicle’s tire crosses over one of these tubes, it creates a burst of air that is then sent through a rubber tubing to an on-site counter. This counter collects and analyses all the data. The tubes and counters are left in place for a specific period to ensure comprehensive information collection.

But it doesn’t end there! These road tubes can provide more than just car counts. By analyzing the intervals between air bursts, they can also provide valuable details such as peak traffic times. Moreover, when used in pairs, they can even determine vehicle class, speed, and direction.

Making Informed Decisions

The data collected by these road tubes is incredibly valuable for transportation agencies. It enables them to make informed decisions about potential changes to speed limits or signage. By having access to this information, they can work toward improving traffic flow and safety in specific areas.

In Conclusion

Next time you come across these mysterious black cables on the road, you’ll know just how significant they are. They silently collect an incredible amount of data from a simple burst of air! If you found this article intriguing, don’t forget to share it with your friends. Chances are, they might not be aware of it either!

To watch a video that explains the concept further, click below:

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