QUIXOTE TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INTRODUCES THE TERRA-Q™ NON-INTRUSIVE OPTICAL SENSOR

11-2007

(ST. LOUIS, MO NOVEMBER 2007) – Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc. (QTT) has released a new non-intrusive pavement condition sensor known as the terra-Q™ sensor.  The terra-Qsensor is designed to detect ice, snow, or water on the roadway. 

The terra-Q sensor utilizes an electro-optical sensor to detect pavement conditions, eliminating the need to install a sensor in the roadway surface.  The sensor warns roadway maintenance personnel immediately when snow or ice begins to form, which allows them to take appropriate action before roads become dangerous or hazardous.

The terra-Q is an ideal alternative to invasive sensors, with no lane closures or cutting of the roadway required for installation.  Additionally, maintenance requirements are low, making the terra-Q an affordable option for road weather systems.  The sensor can be mounted on an existing road weather station or other structure where a clear, unobstructed view of the pavement is available.  And, the terra-Q sensor can be used with existing SSI® RWIS networks (any platform).

“Non-intrusive sensors are becoming imperative as traffic volumes increase on our nation’s highways,” says Jerry Waldman, Midwest Region Territory Sales Manager for QTT.  “The new terra-Q sensor measures the surface condition from the side of the road and is an excellent complement to intrusive sensor technology, especially for customers who need to retrieve valuable pavement data from precarious roadway applications.” 

Mr. Waldman adds that the terra-Q sensor is ideal for providing essential pavement condition data in areas of roadway that are known “trouble zones”; roadway configurations that include sharp corners; or bridge structures where intrusive sensors cannot be located due to structural design issues.

Additionally, some new bridge deck designs use modern types of conductive coatings for bridge decking materials, which require thinner membranes.  This limits material depths, making it difficult for standard in-pavement weather sensors will not work on these types of bridge decks. 

The terra-Q system ultimately helps reduce long-term RWIS equipment maintenance costs and safety issues for agencies.

Unique Self-Cleaning
Because it is an optical sensor, the terra-Q’s lens must remain clean during operation in order to “see” the road surface.  To do this, especially when a road is wet or slushy, the terra-Q has a windshield wiper and fluid similar to an automobile window, which helps it to maintain a clear view.  In fact, the terra-Q is “intelligent” enough that it can sense when it is dirty and clean itself.  It is also contained within a weather-proof, durable housing to protect it from harsh weather elements, which allows it to provide accurate readings during any weather condition.

The terra-Q sensor is the latest in QTT’s line of non-invasive sensors, which also includes thermo-Q (senses pavement temperature) and trans-Q (non-intrusive radar classifier for measuring traffic data).

About Quixote Corporation
Quixote Corporation (www.quixotecorp.com) through its wholly owned subsidiaries Quixote Transportation Safety, Inc., Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc. and Quixote Traffic Corporation, is the world's leading manufacturer of energy-absorbing highway crash cushions, truck-mounted attenuators, intelligent intersection control systems, computerized highway/advisory radio transmitting devices, electronic wireless measuring and sensing devices, weather monitoring stations, flexible post delineators and other highway safety products and services.