Road Weather Information System - Lufft GmbH

Road Weather W
Information System
A Passion for Precision
a passion for precision . passion pour la précision . pasión por la precisión . passione per la precisione .
www.lufft.com

Road Weather
Information System
Thermal Mapping
Nowcasting /
Forecasting
Real-Time
Weather
Database
+Pictures
XFCD
Mobile Data
Sources
MDSS
Archive
Warnings
Alert Messages
Wind / Fog /
Ice / Water
Traffic
Control
Alarms
Actions
Tables / Charts
Maps / Groups
Pictures
Standard / Customized
Guiding
Travel Time
Calculation
www.lufft.com
Fog Warning
Wind Alarms
Aquaplaning

Remote Weather Station
R 2 S
precipitation type and intensity
with Protection shield
Temperature/ rel. Humidity
with Radiation shield
Wind direction / Wind speed
Visibility sensor
Road surface temperature / Road conditions
UMB
www.lufft.com

Static calculation
pole:
Every pole needs to be certified to proof its stability with all
mounted sensors, according to European norms. Most of the
parts are V4A (material grade) and corrosion-free. This foldover
pole permits a one man maintenance operation. All
cables are hidden in order to avoid vandalism.
www.lufft.com

pole
hidden cables
4.5 m height
www.lufft.com

What do we measure
(Sensors)
Intelligent, an "all-in-one" instrument
for atmospheric conditions
Innovative measuring principle:
R 2 S)
microwave doppler radar.
Type of Precipitation
(rain, snow)
Precipitation intensity
(mm/H)
Measuring wind speed/direction
by means of an ultrasonic sensor.
Precise measurement without
mechanical moving parts.
Air pressure
Air temperature & relative
humidity
aspirated ventilation shield
Power supply and
communication in one cable.
RS485 digital communication with
open ASCII or UMB protocol
(SDI12 in preparation)
up to 1200 meters.
www.lufft.com

IRS31-UMB - Intelligent road sensor
Passive road sensor IRS31 is
flush-mounted in the road.
The two part housing design
allows the combined
sensor/electronics unit to be
removed for maintenance or
calibration at any time.
The following variables are
recorded:
- Road surface temperature
- Water film height up to 4 mm
- Freezing temperature for
different
de-icing materials
- Road condition
(dry/damp/wet/ice or
snow/residual salt/freezing
rain)
Optional:
- 2 additional depth
temperatures,
e.g. at 5 cm and 30 cm
Technical Data
Order No.
IRS31-UMB Intelligent road sensor 8510.U050
Measuring range temperatures
-30°C...+70°C
Accuracy temperatures
+/- 0,2°C (-10°C...+10°C), otherwise +/-0,5°C
Measuring range water film height
0...4mm
Accuracy water film height
+/- 0,1mm +20% of measurement value
Freezing temperature graphs
1...10 (Standard: NaCl, CaCl, MgCl)
Measuring range freezing temperature
-20°C…0°C
Accuracy freezing temperature
+/-1°C für t>-10°C
Road conditions
Dry/damp/wet/ice or
snow/residual salt/freezing rain
Dimensions
Ø 120mm, installation height 50mm
Weight
approx. 800g
Cable length
50m
Protection type IP 68
IRS31-UMB with other cable lengths or additional depth temperature sensors:
2 depth temperature sensors, 50 m cable 8510.U052
100 m cable 8510.U100
2 depth temperature sensors, 100 m cable 8510.U102
Housing road sensor without ext. temperature 8510.G050
Housing road sensor 1 ext. temperature, 50m 8510.G051
Housing road sensor 2 ext. temperature, 50m 8510.G052
Housing road sensor without ext. temperature 8510.G100
Housing road sensor 1 ext. temperature, 100m 8510.G101
Housing road sensor 2 ext. temperature, 100m 8510.G102
Accessories
Order No.
UMB interface converter ISOCON
8160.UISO
Road sensor cover (electronics)
8510.DEC
Surge protection
8379.USP
The sensors are addressable and
can therefore be networked.
The measurement data are
available for further processing in
the form of a standard protocol
(Lufft UMB protocol).
www.lufft.com

ARS31-UMB - Intelligent road sensor
The active ARS31 sensor
is installed flush with the
road/runway surface and
calculates the freezing
temperature by means of
active cooling and heating
of the sensor surface.
The freezing temperature
measurement is independent
of mixture.
The two-section housing design
allows the combined sensor/
electronics unit to be removed
for maintenance purposes at
any time, in just a few minutes.
In conjunction with interface
converter 8160.UISO,
the sensor can be built into
new and existing UMB networks.
Technical Data
Order No.
ARS31-UMB Intelligent road sensor 8610.U050
Dimensions
Ø 120mm, height 50mm
Weight
Approx. 900g
Storage temperature
-30...70°C
Protection type
IP68
Power supply
9...36V VDC
Connector CAGE CLAMP, WAGO (cross-section -15 °C, or
±1,5°C RMSE for Tg < -15 °C
Resolution 0.1
Accessories
Order No.
UMB Interface converter ISOCON
8160.UISO
Spare part cap ARS31-UMB
8610.DEC
Surge Protector UMB
8379.USP
Passive sensor IRS31 and
active sensor ARS31 can be
combined without difficulty,
in fact this is recommended.
The sensors are addressable
and hence can be networked.
www.lufft.com

FAQs
1. Which is the difference between passive and active pavement
sensors
The active sensor uses an integrated PELTIER element for the heating and
cooling process. In case of wet conditions (existing water film) and if the road
surface temperature is less than 5°C, the measuring cycle will be started. One
cycle lasts 20 minutes. The cooling procedure stopps once the freeze point
temperature has been reached. The cooling time depends on water film level
and concentration of de-icing chemicals. After cooling, the heating procedure
is being re-activated.
2. Why is it necessary to use a passive pavement sensor in conjunction
with an active sensor
Since the active sensor has a cooling and heating cycle, the road conditions
are altered. This leads to condensation and pavement temperature changes.
This is the reason the active sensor will ONLY measure freeze point temperature.
All other road measurements such as road surface temperature, depth
temperature, water-film and road conditions are reported by passive sensors.
3. Why do so many networks use passive sensors only
As long as only one de-icing chemical, such as NaCl or MgCl is applied, a
state-of-the-art passive sensor will measure the conductivity, "salt in water"
and calculates the freeze point temperature. A prerequisite for an accurate
result is the precise measurement of the water film.
4. Why is the water film thickness important information for winter road
maintenance operations
The freeze point temperature depends on concentration of de-icing chemical
AND the existing water film thickness. The higher the water film, the more
chemical is necessary. Vice versa, in case of a sloping road and a very thin
water layer, there is a risk to “over-salting” and to exceed the so called
EUTECTICAL POINT.
5. What are the main benefits of non-invasive road condition sensors
The non-invasive sensor is not part of the pavement and is easily accessible
in case of repair and maintenance/calibration. Both, surface temperature and
road conditions can be measured. A disadvantage is in that the freeze temperature
itself cannot be measured.The water film measurement is not nearly as
precise as the measurement of an embedded pavement sensor.
6. Is it feasible to design a Road Weather Network based on different
road sensor technologies (active/passive/non-invasive)
Networks of the future will be modular, open in concept and extendable.
Where ever possible, embedded pavement sensors will be deployed to provide
all data a particular application In case of very thin water layers (busy highways),
an active sensor will determine the precise freeze temperature.
Locations (bridges) where in-pavement sensors can not be installed,
a non-invasive senor is the best choice to deliver road condition information.
7. Are regular sensor calibrations recommended
Due to the replaceable electronics of pavement sensors, a calibration cycle of
three years is recommended, in spite of the available long-term stable sensor
elements with minimal drift.
Replacement sensors can be installed within minutes, allowing for minimal
down-time of operation as well as lane closures. Sensors are to be sent to a
qualified laboratory for inspection/re-calibration.
www.lufft.com

LUFFT Mess- und Seite/Page: 1/2
Regeltechnik GmbH
Herstellerprüfzertifikat M nach DIN 55350 -18-4.2.2
Manufacturer test certificate M according to DIN 55350 -18-4.2.2
Gegenstand
Object
Sensornummer
Sensor number
Hersteller
Manufacturer
IRS21
1234
LUFFT Mess - und Regeltechnik GmbH
Gutenbergstraße 20
D-70736 Fellbach
Temperaturmessung / Temperature measurement
Prüfpunkt
Test point
Fahrbahnoberflächentemperatur
Road surface temperature
Tiefentemperatur 1
Temperature under ground 1
Tiefentemperatur 2
Temperature under ground 2
Prüfbedingung
Test c onditions
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Bestanden
Passed
Ja Nein
Yes No
X
X
X
Temperatursensor / Temperature sensor
Prüfpunkt
Test point
Fahrbahnoberflächensensor
Road surface sensor
Tiefentemperatursensor 1
Temperature sensor under ground 1
Tiefentemperatursensor 2
Temperature sensor under ground 2
Prüfbedingung
Test conditions
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperatur = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Temperature = 0,0°C ±0,1°C
Bestanden
Passed
Ja Nein
Yes No
X
X
X
Dieses Prüfzertifikat darf nur vollständig und unverändert weiterverbreitet werden. Auszüge oder Änderungen
bedürfen der Genehmigung des Ausstellers. Prüfzertifikate ohne Unterschrift und Stempel haben keine Gültigkeit.
This test certificate may not be reproduced other than in full except with the permission of the exhibiting company.
Test certificates without signature and seal are not valid.
Stempel
Seal
Datum
Date
Qualitätssicherung
Quality control
Bearbeiter
Person in charge

LUFFT Mess- und Seite/Page: 2/2
Regeltechnik GmbH
Herstellerprüfzert ifikat M nach DIN 55350 -18-4.2.2
Manufacturer test certificate M according to DIN 55350 -18-4.2.2
Sensornummer / Sensor number : 1234
Kalibrierung Leitfähigkeit / Calibration conductivity
Verwendete Salzlösung
Used saline solution
Sollwert
reference value
Messwert
reading
H 2 O + NaCl 2,0 % 2,0 %
H 2 O + NaCl 4,0 % 4,0 %
H 2 O + NaCl 12,0 % 12,1 %
Kalibrierung Wasserfilmhöhe / Calibration water film height
4000
3500
Wfh [µm] Meßwert IRS / Wfh [µm] reading
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Wfh [µm] Sollwert / Wfh [µm] reference value
Funktionstest / Function test
Prüfpunkt
Test point
Temperaturzyklus von –30°C…+70°C
Temperaturecycle from –30°C...+70°C
Prüfbedingung
Test conditions
Alle Messwerte korrekt
All measured values correctly
Bestanden
Passed
Ja Nein
Yes No
X

Oberflächentemperatur / Surface temperature
Glatteis / Ice
Kritische Nässe / critical wetness
Nässe / wetness
Gefriertemp.
Freeze temp.
www.lufft.com

Precipitation Sensor / Details
R 2 S Radar Rain Sensor
Precipitation quantity, Precipitation type,
Precipitation intensity
Compatible with previously installed rain gauges:
tipping and photoelectric barrier principles
The R2S operates with a 24GHz Doppler Radar, with which
the drop speed is captured.
The precipitation quantity is calculated from the correlation
of drop size and speed.
Maintenance-free
Rain/snow differentiation
Settable resolution for determination of quantity:
1mm, 0.1 mm or 0.01 mm
Interface: RS485/RS232 and 2 digital outputs
Replacement for IRSS88 and tipping bucket
Historically:
the tipping-bucket/weight
principle has been used in meteorological
applications, enabling
the measurement of precipitation
quantity.
Optical sensor technology is
applied for Road Weather
Information Systems.
Neither method provides
accurate determination of the
type of precipitation through
direct measurement.
Technical Data
Order No.
R2S-UMB Precipitation sensor
8367.U01 EU, USA, Canada
with UMB, pulse and frequency interface
8367.U02 UK
Measuring range drop size
0.3...5.0mm
Measuring range hail
5.1...ca. 30mm
Resolution liquid precipitation
0.01...0.1...1.0mm/m²
Type of precipitation
Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, hail
Reproducibility Typical >90%
Interface
RS485 half-duplex, UMB protocol
Power consumption
24VDC (22...28VDC)
Power supply
ca. 30VA (24V)
Operating temperature range
-30...70°C
Operating humidity range 0...100%
Connecting cable
Included in delivery
Accessories
Order No.
UMB interface converter ISOCON
8160.UISO
Power supply 24V/4A
8366.USV1
Protection shield for R2S
8367.SCHIRM
Surge protection
8379.USP
Disadvantage:
high maintenance
due to build-up of dirt around
the measuring device.
New:
Maintenance-free radar-based
precipitation sensor
Construction:
Black aluminum sensor housing
10m lead cable
Heated plastic dome
Weatherproof
Easy installation
Dimensions:
Ø: 90mm, L: 200mm
www.lufft.com

VS20-UMB - VISIBILITY SENSOR
- Measures visibility up to
2000m
- Ideal for road traffic
applications
- Analog output 4..20 mA
- Digital UMB protocol
(RS485 interface)
- Calibration device available
(optional)
The VS20 is configured
via the software UMB-CFG:
- Reading / Changing
of the current configuration
- Calibration
- Polling of the current
measurement values
- The software allows
configurations
to be loaded and stored
Technical Data
Order No.
VS20-UMB Visibility sensor 8366.U50
with UMB and analog interface (4…20 mA)
Measuring range
10...2000 m
Accuracy
+/- 10% of measurement value
Firmware update and calibration of the sensor via RS485
Output signal
4...20mA
Interface
RS485 half-duplex, UMB protocol
Protection type
IP66
Weight
ca. 4kg
Dimensions
360x180x80mm
Operating temperature range
-40...60°C
Power supply
Typical 24VDC (12...28VDC) 3W
Connecting cable
Included in delivery
Accessories
Order No.
UMB interface converter ISOCON
8160.UISO
Ventilation unit
8366.UBEL
Connecting cable
8366.UKAB10
Calibration kit visibility
8366.UKAL1
Power supply 24V/4A
8366.USV1
Surge protection
8379.USP
The measurement data are
available for further processing
in the form of a standard
protocol (Lufft UMB protocol).
www.lufft.com

Schaltschrank / Weather Case
Übertragungsmodem/
Transmission modem
Türkontakt/
Door contact
LCOM
UMB ISOCON/
ANACON
24 V - Netzteil/
24V - Power supply
Überspannungsschutzmodule/
Surge protectors
(1per UMB Sensor)
Sensorleiste/
Sensor channel
www.lufft.com

LCOM - Lufft Communicator
The LCOM (Lufft-Communicator)
is an industrial PC with the
Windows-CE operating system.
The following interfaces are
available for communication
purposes:
- USB
- CDMA modem (RS232)
- Partyline modem (RS232)
- UMB bus (RS485)
Conversion to the following
standard protocols can be made
in combination with the UMB
technology:
TLS
NTCIP
TLS over IP with GPRS (Asfinag)
MSSI (Asfinag)
Synop / BUFR (in planning)
Technical Data
LCOM Lufft Communicator
Operating Conditions
Power supply
Power consumption
Ambient temperature
Relative humidity
Protection type
Dimensions
USB interface
GPRS modem interface
Partyline modem interface
UMB bus interface
Display size
Display resolution
Storage conditions
Ambient temperature
Relative humidity
Accessories
Power supply 230VAC/24VDC (100VA)
GPRS modem
Order No.
8510.EAK
20…28VDC
10VA
-30°C … +60°C

How does data transmission take place
The following transmission methods are used
as standard in today's measurement networks:
Telephone
GSM "Polling process" (initiated from sub-station)
GSM event-oriented (initiated through EMP)
Special radio transmission processes
(CDMA, DoPa, mobile radio) on inquiry.
Collector Software 8160. COLLECT automatically collects
measurement data from Lufft weather stations by telephone
GSM / GPRS and records the data in a MYSQL database for
further processing.
www.lufft.com

MEASUREMENTS
Please note:
- Road surface temperature below 0 degrees Celsius and
below dew point causes frost.
- Liquid precipitation (rain) on frozen ground causes black
ice (subsurface road temperature below 0 degrees Celsius)
- Snow does not remain on the ground when the subsurface
is warm but generally turns to water (subsurface road
temperature above 0 degrees
Celsius). However, melting snow increasingly draws heat
from the ground during pro longed snowfall, for this
reason snow may remain on the ground later despite
above zero ground temperatures.
There is not only one software
solution for customer
requirements,
but various concepts
according to customer
wishes.
If required, customer-specific
software can be developed
on the basis of available
modules.
www.lufft.com

Traffic control application Automated
Warning System (AWS)
Generally, an AWS consists of an Environmental Services
Station (ESS) and a Dynamic Message Sign (DMS).
The AWS is controlled by means of traffic and environmental
data measured at one-minute intervals.
This data is transferred via a data cable to the traffic computer,
the so-called sub-station.
The measurement data is evaluated by the traffic computer
and translated into control commands for signs. The control
commands are sent back to the road station, which signals
the switching of the signs.
The following typical selection of "environmental data" is installed
in an AWS system.
Sensors:
- Air temperature and relative humidity
- Rain radar sensor
- Road sensor
- Visibility sensor
- Wind sensor
Data capture:
Lufft UMB technology
IOC (Industrial PC):
"Input/Output -Concentrator" (IOC) for transmission of measurement values to
the sub-station in a pre-specified standard format, e.g.:
TLS format: definition of all data types in accordance with "Technischen
Lieferbedingungen für Streckenstationen" (Technical Supply Conditions for
Road Stations), Function Group 3 (FG3) defines the data types for so-called
environmental data capture ("Weather")
The significance of
environmental data
capture ("Weather")
in the context of
RWIS is very high,
because the weather
effects (aquaplaning,
fog, ice, wind gusts)
must be transferred
reliably and quickly
to dynamic message
signs for vehicle
drivers.
NTCIP: definition of all data types in accordance with "ESS 3.7"
(North America) ESS=Environmental Sensor Systems
If it is not necessary for data transmission to take place in a standard format,
all Lufft components offer open interfaces.
www.lufft.com

References:
City of Reutlingen, Germany
Temperature
Road Conditions
Five Measuring stations;
in part with camera.
www.lufft.com

References:
Province of Schleswig - Holstein
In 2008, Lufft delivered and installed 63 new Road Weather
Systems in the province of Schleswig-Holstein on all major
highways and secondary roads. Not only pavement
conditions are measured, also fog risks and wind peaks are
parts of the real-time networks.
These informations help all maintenance crews in the
province to make their decisions on-time when to treat the
roads and with which NaCL-concentrations to act. All data
are transferred to the German National Weather Bureau
(DWD) in BUFR format. In addition, www.strassen-sh.de
show some extracts of the data for car drivers.
www.lufft.com

References:
Tyrol, Austria
On the Austrian Interstate A12,
more than 60 Lufft road sensors IRS21 have been installed.
On the one side, the sensor data are used to automatically
switch the variable message signs to different recommended
speed informations for car drivers.
The end-user decided to install 2 pucks per location
(redundant measurements) for very safe and reliable
operation. On the other hand, the data are used to optimise
winter maintenance activities.
The maintenance crews have real-time data on all pavement
informations such as road surface temperature, depth
temperature, surface conditions (dry/damp/wet/ice/snow)
and the current freeze temperature. The "dual" system has
been installed and designed by Siemens Austria.
www.lufft.com

References
Germany:
SWIS Hessen
SWIS Nordbayern
SWIS Schleswig-Holstein
SWIS Thüringen
VBA A 1, A 10, A 3, A 5, A 7, A 73, A 8,
A 9, A 92, A 98, A 99
GMA Dachau, Detmold, Harburg,
Ludwigsburg, Ostrode, Reutlingen,
Schwäbisch Gmünd, SBAS Bayern
Opel Teststrecke Testcenter Dudenhofen
International:
New York State, USA
Ontario, Canada
Kärnten, Upper Austria, Salzburg
(Austria)
VBA Tyrol, Styria, S1 (Austria)
Subject to technical modifications GMA-writeup en_07.09