Wireless sensor networks in intelligent transportation systems

One of the main goals of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is economical profit in the form of fuel consumption reduction, efficient use of existing infrastructure, pollution reduction and so on. Certainly, the economical goal is not the only one. Increasing mobility, safety and passenger comfort are other very strong motivations for implementation of ITS in practice. The paper analyzes the possibilities of exploitation the technology of wireless sensor networks (WSN) in ITS. Detailed description of sensor node designed for sensing intensity of magnetic field and acceleration is provided. As an example, the proposed sensor is used to sense the speed of moving vehicles and to classify the vehicles according their estimated length.