Layout Guidelines; Pre-Installation Testing - TraffiCast BlueTOAD Spectra Quick Start Manual

BlueTOAD Spectra Deployment

Layout Guidelines

3. After you select the target road segment for speed/travel time data collection, use the guidelines that
follow to determine how many BlueTOAD detectors are necessary for your travel time study or
reporting objectives.
 BlueTOAD has an effective omni-directional detection range of an approximately 300-foot
radius from the antenna.
 The minimum recommended distance to space a BlueTOAD PoE or Cellular is every
0.25 mile.
 The maximum distance to space BlueTOAD PoE or Cellular is a function of the road type:
Highway
Arterial (no traffic lights)
Arterial (with traffic lights)
Dense urban area*
* Note: The number of intersections, traffic signals, or exit ramps can affect the speed/travel time;
thus, you should keep them to a minimum.
 In an Origin/Destination (O/D) deployment, you must install BlueTOAD detectors before
the destination as well as after. The number of additional BlueTOAD detectors necessary is
then based on driver options.

Pre-Installation Testing

The steps that follow give instructions to test BlueTOAD Spectra detectors before they are installed in the
field:
 To test a Spectra Ethernet PoE or a Spectra Ethernet Cellular PoE, go to Step 4.
 To test a Spectra Solar Cellular, go to Step 5.
4. To test a Spectra PoE detector:
a. Connect the Ethernet cable to power ON the detector.
b. In the presence of Bluetooth signals, open the enclosure and confirm that the LEDs on the
PCB are operating correctly.
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c. Go to Step 6.
The PCB with its LEDs is the same in all three types of BlueTOAD Spectra detectors. Correct operation of the LEDs is shown
3
in the photograph and table on Page 2-5.
2-4
Note: Power Control lets you reduce the detection zone to minimize overlap.
Thus, with Power Control, the minimum spacing could be less than 0.25 mile.
Road Type
Example: If a driver could turn either left or right at T intersection, you must install
a BlueTOAD in each of the two possible directions of travel.
Maximum Spacing, miles
4 to 5
2 to 2 ½
1 to 1 ½
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TrafficCast Quick Start—BlueTOAD Spectra and Spectra RSU
Revision 02 May 2019