In Delaware, Wavetronix radar is helping horses and buggies to be detected at intersections.
Background
At a dangerous intersection near H&H Builders in Delaware, near-constant vehicle crashes became a source of fear and frustration for residents and local workers. Ray Strauss, whose office overlooks the intersection, described frequent high-speed accidents, with cars sometimes flying through at 70–80 mph. The intersection previously relied only on stop signs on the side streets, and its uphill design made visibility and safe navigation particularly difficult.
Challenge
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) faced a dual challenge:
- High crash rate: A history of serious accidents pushed residents to demand a traffic signal.
- Detection limitations: The area's significant Amish population meant traditional detection methods were inadequate. In-ground loop sensors failed to detect metal-light Amish buggies, and video detection was unreliable under adverse weather conditions.
Solution
JW Weishaupt of DelDOT proposed deploying Wavetronix’s Matrix digital radar detection system at the intersection. Unlike traditional methods, Matrix radar:
- Works in all weather conditions.
- Detects any object, not just metal-based vehicles.
- Is unaffected by light levels or visibility.
Wavetronix application specialist Don Henry collaborated with DelDOT, reviewed plans, and crafted an implementation strategy.
Implementation & Results
In under a year, the Matrix system was installed and fully operational. Since then, the radar-based detection has:
- Accurately detected all road users, including Amish buggies.
- Ensured appropriate green light signaling, reducing risky behavior.
- Eliminated reported accidents at the intersection.
- Improved daily experience for local businesses like H&H Builders, making departures and arrivals safer and less stressful.
Ray Strauss confirmed the success, noting the intersection is now significantly safer and praising the speed and effectiveness of the installation.
