At this year’s LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival, Rennicks UK delivered a session exploring how advanced radar technology is shaping the future of traffic monitoring and smart infrastructure.
The presentation focused on the SpeedLane® Pro radar – a dual beam, side-fire traffic sensor designed to deliver accurate, real-time traffic data without the disruption or risks associated with traditional methods.
Moving beyond outdated traffic monitoring
For years, local authorities have relied on temporary cables across the road or in-ground loop units to capture vehicle speeds and volumes. While effective to a point, these systems come with challenges:
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Risk of damage from resurfacing, weather or heavy use
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Disruption caused by installation and maintenance
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Short-term reliability and limited data
By contrast, radar technology provides a non-intrusive, durable and highly accurate alternative. Mounted off-carriageway, the SpeedLane® Pro captures detailed traffic insights across up to 16 lanes – from speeds and vehicle classifications to occupancy, headway and gap measurements – with minimal maintenance required.
Proven in partnership with the Welsh Government
Since 2022, Rennicks has been working with the Welsh Government and South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) to pilot the SpeedLane® Pro on the M4 near Cardiff. Positioned alongside existing MIDAS loops, the radar delivered data that matched, and in some cases exceeded, the accuracy of traditional systems – providing confidence for wider adoption.
The success of this trial has already led to further installations across the network, proving the radar’s value as a reliable and sustainable solution for monitoring live, real-time traffic conditions.
Driving efficiency with adaptive street lighting
One of the most exciting outcomes of the Welsh Government project was the integration of the SpeedLane® Pro radar with smart street lighting controls. By linking vehicle detection to dimming technology, streetlights can automatically adjust brightness depending on traffic levels.
This simple yet powerful application reduces energy consumption and emissions, without compromising road safety. The system is already live on the M4 and delivering measurable savings – with payback expected in a short timeframe.
Watch the full presentation here:
A step forward for local authorities
Radar technology is more than just a replacement for existing systems – it opens up new opportunities for data-driven decision-making:
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Smarter congestion management
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Improved safety and enforcement strategies
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Support for environmental targets through reduced energy use
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Long-term cost savings and operational efficiency
As traffic networks evolve, solutions like the SpeedLane® Pro provide local authorities with the insights they need to plan, manage and futureproof infrastructure.
(Image – Rennicks)