Next time you’re on the highway or a residential street, pay careful attention to the road. At some point during your trip, chances are you’ll see black cables carefully placed on the ground. But have you ever wondered what purpose these cables serve? Let’s find out together!

Road tubes are a simple and easy way for local transportation agencies to gather important information about an area’s traffic patterns. They are strategically placed in unassuming areas to minimize any interference with the flow of traffic.

Here’s how these smart road tubes do their magic. Every time a vehicle’s tire passes over the tube, a burst of air is sent through the rubber tubing to an on-site counter. This counter collects all the data and records valuable information about traffic.

But wait, there’s more! The tubing doesn’t just count the number of cars passing by. It can also analyze the interval between air bursts to determine peak traffic times. And when these tubes are used in pairs, they can provide even more data, such as vehicle class, speed, and direction.

Now you might be wondering, what do all these numbers and data actually mean? Well, this valuable information is used by transportation agencies to make informed decisions. For example, if the data shows high traffic volume consistently exceeding the speed limit, it may be an indication to change the speed limits or update signage. Ultimately, the goal is to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for everyone on the road.

Who knew that these black cables on the road were such data-gathering superheroes? It’s fascinating to learn about how they can collect so much information from just a puff of air. If you were unaware of these mysterious road tubes, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Share this article with your friends and family to spread the knowledge.

To watch a video explaining the concept further, click here.