Drive Thru Vehicle Detection and Monitoring
Improve Customer Experience and Maximize Profits
Drive thru applications require reliable vehicle detection to alert employees to a customer’s presence at a window, count the number of cars passing through, monitor time spent in the drive thru, and more.
By increasing efficiency and facilitating a better customer experiece, vehicle detection solutions not only save costs but also maximize revenue.
Inductive loops have traditionally been a common vehicle detection technology for drive thru applications. However, inductive loop systems require large sections of pavement or brickwork to be damaged and removed for installation and repairs, which can lead to lengthy downtime.
Radar is another technology that can be used for drive thru vehicle detection. Radar sensors are immune to weather conditions, making it an excellent option for outdoor deployments at drive thru businesses.
Wireless magnetometers are an excellent choice when wired technology is impractical. Wireless magnetometers can be installed above or below grade, and even below grade installations are minimally invasive, requiring only a small 3-inch diameter hole in the concrete for each sensor location.
Keep reading to learn how these technologies solve common drive thru vehicle detection challenges; or contact an engineer to discuss your specific application.
Vehicle Detection at a Quick Serve Restaurant
Fast food restaurants rely heavily on their drive-thru service, and they earn much of their revenue from drive-thru sales. Streamlining the drive-thru process in quick serve restaurants (QSR) can increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.
By combining wireless vehicle detection sensors with an analytical software platform, restaurants can track the speed of service and compare drive-thru times at multiple locations. This visibility enables managers to identify where bottlenecks occur, and it allows stores to compete to improve their drive-thru service.
Vehicle Detection at a Bank Drive Thru
In applications where staff may be away from the drive thru window for periods of time, a vehicle detection solution can be used to alert staff when a customer is present. For example, bank tellers working the drive-up windows must be aware when a vehicle is present in order to optimize customer service.
Radar sensors use Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave Radar (FMCW) to detect both stationary and moving vehicles. In the application pictured to the right, a radar sensor is mounted to the drive-through overhang and is configured to detect the pavement.
When a vehicle blocks the beam, the sensor’s output switches and a signal is sent to the bank workers, alerting them of the presence of the vehicle to ensure timely service and minimal wait times for customers.
Vehicle Detection and Counting at a Drive Thru
In addition to triggering a signal that a customer is present, radar sensors can also be used to count the number of vehicles that pass through the drive thru each day. This provides valuable information on peak drive thru days and times to facilitate data-driven staffing decisions.
The radar sensor's vehicle detection, business indication, and count functions help restaurants efficiently respond to drive-thru customers, measure drive-thru demand, and manage drive-thru operations.
Wireless Magnetometers for Vehicle Detection
M-GAGE 센서는 수동 감지 기술을 사용하여 자동차 등과 같이 철을 함유한 대형 물체를 감지합니다. M-GAGE는 유도 루프 시스템을 대체하고 외부 제어 박스가 필요 없습니다.
- 온도 변화 및 자기장 변동의 영향을 최소화하도록 설계되어 있습니다.
- 센서가 주위 배경을 학습해 비휘발성 메모리에 설정을 저장합니다.
- 하우징에 통합된 1차 리튬 배터리 1개가 FlexPower 기술을 구동합니다.
- 트랜시버가 완전히 확인된 데이터 전송을 비롯해 게이트웨이와 노드 간에 양방향 통신을 제공합니다.
- 밀폐된 완전 포트형 하우징에 완전한 무선 솔루션을 위한 전원, 센서 및 안테나가 포함되어 있습니다.
Wireless Controller
DXM 시리즈 산업용 무선 컨트롤러는 이더넷 연결과 IIoT(산업용 사물인터넷) 응용 분야의 발전을 촉진하도록 설계되어 있습니다.
- 로컬 무선 네트워크의 경우 900MHz 및 2.4GHz에서 사용 가능한 ISM 무선 장치
- Modbus RTU를 Modbus TCP/IP 또는 이더넷 I/P로 변환
- 작업 규칙 및 텍스트 언어 방식으로 로직 컨트롤러 프로그래밍 가능
- 데이터 로깅을 위한 Micro SD 카드
- 이메일 및 문자 알림
- 셀룰러 연결을 위한 셀 모뎀
Radar Sensor
리치 스태커, 지게차 및 채광 차량 등과 같은 보드 이동식 장비의 충돌 방지에 이상적인 고감도 레이더 기반 센서.
- 4세대 FMCW(true-presence) 레이더로 이동 및 정지 상태 물체 감지
- 감도가 더 높고 유효 거리가 더 긴 모델
- 감지 영역 조정 가능 - 설정값을 벗어난 물체 무시
- 간단한 DIP 스위치로 범위, 감도, 출력을 쉽게 설정, 구성
- 바람, 비, 눈, 안개, 습도, 대기 온도, 조명에 의한 센싱 기능 영향 없음
- 특별한 라이선스 없이 산업용, 과학용, 의료용(ISM) 통신 대역에서 작동 가능한 센서
- 튼튼한 IP67 하우징으로 가혹 환경 내구성 확보