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Surface Patrol TM
The SSI Surface Patrol (formerly the Control Products Inc. Model 999J) from Quixote
Transportation Technologies, Inc. (QTT) is a mobile temperature sensor that features a non-contact
infrared sensor for measuring pavement temperature. It also measures the ambient (air)
temperature. The Surface Patrol is used to detect possible freezing temperatures on the pavement.
The sensor is mounted outside the vehicle and continuously monitors road surface temperatures,
providing instant feedback on road surface conditions. The Surface Patrol is also capable of sending
an alert to the driver about possible icing conditions.
The Surface Patrol is a compact instrument designed for easy installation. In addition, a major
advantage of using the Surface Patrol is the ability to field calibrate the sensor.
Transportation Technologies, Inc. (QTT) is a mobile temperature sensor that features a non-contact
infrared sensor for measuring pavement temperature. It also measures the ambient (air)
temperature. The Surface Patrol is used to detect possible freezing temperatures on the pavement.
The sensor is mounted outside the vehicle and continuously monitors road surface temperatures,
providing instant feedback on road surface conditions. The Surface Patrol is also capable of sending
an alert to the driver about possible icing conditions.
The Surface Patrol is a compact instrument designed for easy installation. In addition, a major
advantage of using the Surface Patrol is the ability to field calibrate the sensor.
Surface Patrol users are saving thousands of budget dollars on their de-icing materials alone. The
unnecessary wasting of de-icing materials combined with the knowledge of when to apply sand, salt
or other de-icing materials can save countless dollars in environmental cleanups.
unnecessary wasting of de-icing materials combined with the knowledge of when to apply sand, salt
or other de-icing materials can save countless dollars in environmental cleanups.
Surface Patrol
The dual temperature sensor measures surface and ambient (air) temperatures digitally. This
system senses the pavement temperature under your vehicle as you drive at acceptable highway
speeds. The driver is alerted in advance of temperatures that may be approaching the freezing point.
The Surface Patrol consists of three components:
A non-contact infrared sensor in an injection molded housing that is mounted under the vehicle and
scans the pavement as the vehicle passes over it.
An ambient temperature sensor that can be mounted anywhere desired on the vehicle.
A dashboard-mounted digital meter that displays the surface temperature as well as ambient (air)
temperature to the operator.
General Description Of Surface Patrol
This motor vehicle mounted, non-contact measurement system continuously monitors the road
surface temperature to detect dangerous cold-weather driving conditions. The electronic design of
this system provides compensation for the effects of ambient temperature changes that would
otherwise result in inaccurate measurements. The digital display output covers a surface
temperature range of -40F to +200F (-40C to +90C).
Conditions for Ice Formation
The objective of the Surface Patrol System is to continuously monitor road surface temperatures
from vehicle moving at normal highway speeds. This provides the operator instantaneous feedback
on road surface conditions and an early alert to possible icing conditions.
The higher thermal conductivity of bridges, culverts and other similar surface variations may freeze
and subsequently thaw before surrounding road surfaces. When ambient temperatures are near
freezing, road surface temperatures can be substantially different, presenting continuously changing
driving hazards. The Surface Patrol System alerts the driver that these conditions exist. This dual
temperature model also displays the ambient temperature as well as the surface temperature.
Design Characteristics
The Surface Patrol system is a compact instrument designed for easy installation. The sensor head
plugs directly into the meter that then provides a digital display of the current temperatures.
Utilizing the latest in electronic and thermal technology, the rugged and compact sensing head
converts heat-generated infrared energy into electrical signals which are then translated into
calibrated temperature information which is then displayed.
Installation
Mechanical installation requires mounting the sensor on the underside of the vehicle. The sensor
includes a conical mounting and adjustment assembly to protect the sensor from dirt, water, road
debris and vehicle vibration. The meter powers the sensor and requires 12 or 24 volts D.C.
Operation & Maintenance
To operate, simply switch on the vehicle ignition and the system is operational. Maintenance is
limited to periodic cleaning of the optical lens within the sensor housing. The frequency of this
maintenance is dependent on the operational environment. To clean the lens, unscrew the tube on
the bottom of the vehicle-mounted sensor housing and wipe with a tissue dampened with a lens
cleaning solution then wipe dry.
The dual temperature sensor measures surface and ambient (air) temperatures digitally. This
system senses the pavement temperature under your vehicle as you drive at acceptable highway
speeds. The driver is alerted in advance of temperatures that may be approaching the freezing point.
The Surface Patrol consists of three components:
A non-contact infrared sensor in an injection molded housing that is mounted under the vehicle and
scans the pavement as the vehicle passes over it.
An ambient temperature sensor that can be mounted anywhere desired on the vehicle.
A dashboard-mounted digital meter that displays the surface temperature as well as ambient (air)
temperature to the operator.
General Description Of Surface Patrol
This motor vehicle mounted, non-contact measurement system continuously monitors the road
surface temperature to detect dangerous cold-weather driving conditions. The electronic design of
this system provides compensation for the effects of ambient temperature changes that would
otherwise result in inaccurate measurements. The digital display output covers a surface
temperature range of -40F to +200F (-40C to +90C).
Conditions for Ice Formation
The objective of the Surface Patrol System is to continuously monitor road surface temperatures
from vehicle moving at normal highway speeds. This provides the operator instantaneous feedback
on road surface conditions and an early alert to possible icing conditions.
The higher thermal conductivity of bridges, culverts and other similar surface variations may freeze
and subsequently thaw before surrounding road surfaces. When ambient temperatures are near
freezing, road surface temperatures can be substantially different, presenting continuously changing
driving hazards. The Surface Patrol System alerts the driver that these conditions exist. This dual
temperature model also displays the ambient temperature as well as the surface temperature.
Design Characteristics
The Surface Patrol system is a compact instrument designed for easy installation. The sensor head
plugs directly into the meter that then provides a digital display of the current temperatures.
Utilizing the latest in electronic and thermal technology, the rugged and compact sensing head
converts heat-generated infrared energy into electrical signals which are then translated into
calibrated temperature information which is then displayed.
Installation
Mechanical installation requires mounting the sensor on the underside of the vehicle. The sensor
includes a conical mounting and adjustment assembly to protect the sensor from dirt, water, road
debris and vehicle vibration. The meter powers the sensor and requires 12 or 24 volts D.C.
Operation & Maintenance
To operate, simply switch on the vehicle ignition and the system is operational. Maintenance is
limited to periodic cleaning of the optical lens within the sensor housing. The frequency of this
maintenance is dependent on the operational environment. To clean the lens, unscrew the tube on
the bottom of the vehicle-mounted sensor housing and wipe with a tissue dampened with a lens
cleaning solution then wipe dry.
Features and Benefits
- Measures both ambient and pavement temperatures
- Injected molded and protective cone for winter elements
- Dash-mounted digital meter displays both air and pavement temperature
- Optional RS-232 output to connect to a computer or voltage output for other applications
- Easy to use and install
- Inexpensive when compared to other pavement monitoring
- Allows user to view pavement temperatures across an entire route
- Integrates with other vehicle equipment, such as the Nu-Metrics NiteStar Distance
Measuring Instrument (DMI)
- Unit can be calibrated in the field rather than returing it to the manufacturer
Mini-Mapping System This Windows
Program works with Surface Patrol
to provide a graphical record of
temperatures vs. distance or time.
Program works with Surface Patrol
to provide a graphical record of
temperatures vs. distance or time.
