The RTMS Sx-300 is a small roadside pole-mounted radar, operating in the microwave band. Simultaneously, the sensor provides per-lane presence as well as volume, occupancy, speed and classification information in up to 12 user-defined detection zones. The EIS Spectrum Analyser is 'AS-IS' and free for noncommercial use. If you would like to use the software commercially, please contact the authors at eisanalyser@gmail.com. Use this address also for bug reports and comments on EIS Spectrum Analyser.

A traffic sensor and a method of operating the traffic sensor to collect vehicular traffic data for a road is described. The traffic sensor has (a) a radar module for generating radar-based vehicle data regarding a plurality of vehicles passing the sensor field of view based on detection and measurement of traffic; (b) an image module for generating image data representing a plurality of images of the road and the traffic; and, (c) a traffic sensor enclosure for enclosing both the radar module and the image module. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to traffic sensors, and more specifically to the verification of the data provided by the sensor through the use of a video camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As urban centers increase in size, and traffic congestion becomes more common, the need for accurate and up-to-date traffic information also increases. Traffic surveillance relies primarily on traffic sensors, such as inductive loop traffic sensors that are installed under the pavement.

Alternatively, video sensors may also be used to obtain traffic information. Residing underground, inductive loop sensors are expensive to install, replace and repair because of the associated roadwork required. Moreover, such roadwork also causes traffic disruptions. Video sensors, on the other hand, are cheaper, but have other drawbacks, such as an inability to operate in the dark or in weather that impairs visibility, such as fog or snow. To overcome these drawbacks, radar sensors have been employed to obtain traffic information.

Radar sensors typically transmit low-power microwave signals at the traffic, and detect vehicles based on the reflected signals. Radar sensors are generally cheaper than inductive loop traffic sensors, and, unlike video sensors, operate well in the dark and in a wide range of weather conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a traffic sensor to collect vehicular traffic data for a road. The traffic sensor has a radar module and an image module both contained in a traffic sensor enclosure. The method comprises a) operating the radar module to generate radar-based vehicle data regarding a plurality of vehicles passing a sensor field of view based on detection and measurement of the traffic on the road; b) operating the image module to generate image data representing a plurality of images of the road and the traffic on the road; and c) comparing the radar-based vehicle data with the image data.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a traffic sensor for collecting vehicular traffic data for a road. The traffic sensor comprises: (a) a radar module for generating radar-based vehicle data regarding a plurality of vehicles passing the sensor field of view based on detection and measurement of traffic; (b) an image module for generating image data representing a plurality of images of the road and the traffic; and, (c) a traffic sensor enclosure for enclosing both the radar module and the image module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the following drawings, in which; FIG. 1, in a schematic view, illustrates a traffic monitoring system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; FIG. 2, in a block diagram, illustrates the traffic sensor of FIG. 3A and 3B show an exploded front perspective view and rear perspective view, respectively, of the traffic sensor of FIG. 3C, in a block diagram, illustrates an extension card for insertion into the traffic sensor of FIGS.

3A and 3B; FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of a housing of the sensor of FIGS. 3A and 3B showing a first component and a second component of the housing; FIG. 4B is a top view of the housing of FIG.

4C is a front perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5, in a block diagram, illustrates the external traffic management system of FIG. 6, in a flowchart, illustrates a method in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment of the invention by which the traffic sensor transmits image data to external traffic management system; FIG. 7, in a flowchart, illustrates a method of verifying the calibration of the traffic sensor in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment of the invention.