Smarter Traffic Management Starts with Actinode
What is Used Today for Traffic Counting and Vehicle Classification?
Traffic data is currently collected using a variety of tools and technologies, depending on the type of information needed. Some of the most common methods include:
- Temporary traffic counters – Portable devices like pneumatic tubes used for short-term studies of traffic flow and speed.
- Inductive loops – Embedded in the road surface to count vehicles, measure speed, and identify vehicle types.
- Radar and lidar sensors – Mounted on poles or gantries to measure speed, flow, and classification—without physical contact.
- Video analysis – Cameras combined with AI software to monitor traffic flow, detect incidents, and classify vehicles.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi tracking – Captures anonymous signals from in-vehicle devices to measure travel time and route choices.
- Mobile apps and GPS data – Aggregated data from navigation apps providing insight into speed, congestion, and driver behavior.
These tools help cities and planners make informed decisions on traffic control, road design, and safety improvements.
But What Do We Actually Know About the Vehicles?
There’s much more to learn about a vehicle than just its size and shape. With ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, it’s possible to access detailed data from national vehicle registries—such as truck load capacity, number of seats on a bus, or the vehicle’s fuel type. All this from a single type of equipment.
Why Are Cities Replacing Tubes and Loops with Real-Time Multisensor Data?
Traffic planners worldwide face a shared challenge: the need for reliable data to make smart decisions about mobility, safety, and environmental impact. Yet the tools used to collect that data—like pneumatic tubes and inductive loops—have barely evolved in decades.
They still break in winter. They still need reinstallation after resurfacing. And they still only show a fraction of the full picture.
A technological shift is underway in the world of traffic data collection. Many are moving away from tubes and loops in favor of above-ground sensors. It’s a small step to adopt object-detecting AI cameras or radar systems—but if you’re upgrading anyway, why not take a bigger leap? Collect more detailed, high-value data about traffic and your vehicle fleet—for the same investment.
That’s why Actinode exists.
From Guesswork to Real Insight
Actinode is Edeva’s advanced multisensor system for monitoring traffic and environmental conditions. Designed for the complexity of the modern city, it combines radar, ANPR, and AI-based video analysis to deliver real-time, high-accuracy insights into what’s actually happening on your streets.
Where traditional methods count axles or detect metal, Actinode sees, hears, and understands. It distinguishes between cars, buses, trucks, pedestrians, e-scooters, and bicycles. It measures speed, direction, noise levels, and air quality—without digging up the asphalt.
What Is an Actinode?
Actinode is a flexible sensor kit that can include a variety of sensor types. Most commonly, it includes an ANPR camera, but it can also incorporate object recognition cameras, radars, environmental sensors, and noise monitors—depending on the customer’s needs.
The system enables intelligent traffic management and, most importantly, delivers rich statistics on everything you need to know about your traffic environment.
Why It Matters
Legacy systems might tell you how many vehicles passed by—but not whether it was a diesel delivery van or a cyclist using the bus lane. They won’t show where the traffic comes from that clogs school zones at drop-off time, or how noise levels spike in residential areas during rush hour.
Actinode does.
It transforms fragmented raw data into actionable insight. With Actinode, you can:
- Monitor low-emission zones
- Evaluate the impact of traffic interventions
- Measure the modal share of different transport types
- Control access to zones based on vehicle type, fuel type, or other factors
- Visualize and analyze everything directly in EdevaLive
What Is EdevaLive?
A versatile platform for visualizing and exporting data from various sensors. It enables correlation of different data types—such as PM2.5 particle levels and the number of diesel buses, or speed and the presence of taxis—with just a few clicks. It also features easy-to-use APIs for exporting data to your internal systems for further analysis.
How Does Actinode Compare to Other Technologies?
| Feature | Pneumatic Tubes | Inductive Loops | Actinode ANPR | AI Object Detection | Radar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Counting | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Vehicle Classification | Poor | Good | Excellent, detailed | Excellent | Good |
| Detailed Vehicle Info | No | No | Excellent | No | No |
| Real-Time Data | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance in poor Weather & Light | Poor | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
💡 Insights:
- Actinode ANPR provides the most detailed vehicle classification
- Radar and loops work well in all weather and provide real-time data
- Pneumatic tubes are best suited for simple, short-term measurements
Is It Just Another Traffic Counter?
No. You don’t just get the number of vehicles, their type, speed, and direction. You also get:
- Vehicle information
- Ownership type (company or private)
- Environmental impact
- Traffic purpose
- Origin area
- Repetition patterns and trip frequency
All from a single system—something that otherwise requires multiple data sources.
| Feature | Traditional Counter | Actinode |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle count | ✅ | ✅ |
| Speed | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vehicle type | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Detailed |
| Emissions & fuel type | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ownership & traffic purpose | ❌ | ✅ |
| Recurring vehicles | ❌ | ✅ |
| Origin (postal code) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Impact analysis | ⚠️ Indirect | ✅ Direct |
You’ll Know:
- Who’s driving – private citizen, construction company, emergency services?
- Why – essential public service or unnecessary private traffic?
- Where from – local traffic or inbound from outside?
- How often – frequent repeat trips or occasional drivers?
Built for the Real World
Cities don’t need more complicated tools—they need smarter ones.
Actinode is:
- Plug-and-play
- Modular
- Weather-resistant
- Easy to mount on existing infrastructure
- GDPR-compliant
- Operated via 4G/5G
Has Actinode Been Tested?
Yes. In Kista, Stockholm, Actinode was compared with traditional pneumatic tubes. The results were clear: higher accuracy, richer data, and more actionable insights—regardless of weather or time of day.
One System. Many Applications.
Actinode is already being used to:
- Replace outdated technology
- Measure speed and vehicle mix
- Monitor air and noise pollution
- Evaluate traffic restriction outcomes
- Provide real-time decision support
- Feed internal systems with live data
- Identify violations of specific rules
- Support traffic management decisions
- Nudge behavior for better compliance
From city intersections to rural roads—Actinode adapts to your environment and your goals.
Smarter Data. Safer Streets.
As mobility evolves, traffic monitoring must evolve too.
Cities are moving toward multimodal, sustainable, data-driven transport systems. Actinode does more than collect and display data—it lays the foundation for safer, more efficient, and more livable urban spaces.
Frequently Asked
How is Actinode installed?
It mounts easily to existing traffic signals or lighting poles. It’s plug-and-play and remotely managed via the EdevaLive platform.
Take the Big Step in Traffic Tech.
You’ll get far more out of it.
Start measuring what really matters—today.
👉 Want to learn more? Contact Edeva for a demo!
