A new smart intersection in Uppsala, Sweden

Cities across the world are constantly looking for smarter, more resilient traffic management solutions. In Uppsala, Sweden, our partner SWARCO recently installed a TOPGRD radar sensor
and a COM HUB Relay 8 at a busy intersection, marking an essential step in the city’s evaluation of radar-based traffic detection systems.

Why radar?

Traditional traffic detection often relies on inductive loops or camera-based systems. While effective, these solutions come with challenges: loops require roadworks and ongoing maintenance, and cameras or lidar can struggle in harsh weather conditions such as heavy snow. For cities in northern climates, like Uppsala, radar offers a promising alternative: robust, above-ground detection that can reliably track vehicles even in challenging winter conditions.

The goals of the installation

This particular installation serves as a technical evaluation for the city of Uppsala:

• • Comparing radar with inductive loops: Relay outputs from TOPGRD detection zones are directly compared with existing loop signals to assess accuracy and reliability. Early observations indicate that radar performs on par with inductive loops, validating its suitability for precise traffic monitoring.
  • Improving usability: Operators in Uppsala previously experienced limitations with older Traffic UI systems. With the Traffic Web UI, configuration and monitoring are far more intuitive, reducing operational complexity.
  • Testing resilience in winter conditions: Uppsala frequently experiences snowstorms, making reliable vehicle detection difficult for camera or lidar systems. Radar’s robustness ensures continuous operation, even in low-visibility conditions.
  • Flexible, non-intrusive installation: Unlike loops that require cutting into the pavement, radar can be installed above ground, reducing traffic disruption and long-term maintenance costs.

Early results and observations

The initial findings from the Uppsala installation are encouraging: radar detection delivers accuracy comparable to inductive loops while offering significant benefits in terms of flexibility, usability, and resilience. Operators have praised the Traffic Web UI for its simplicity and clarity, and the above-ground setup has proven straightforward to install without causing major traffic disruptions.

Looking forward

This installation is part of Uppsala’s broader effort to explore future-proof traffic management solutions. By combining TOPGRD radar sensors with COM HUB Relay 8, cities can benefit from reliable, easy-to-manage detection technology that supports smarter, adaptive traffic control – even in challenging weather environments.