Flow Analytics by AGC has deployed its solution in Jyväskylä, Finland, to support a more flexible approach to traffic light actuation by using advanced sensing technology within existing roadside infrastructure.
At signalized intersections, reliable detection is essential for both safety and efficiency. Many cities still rely on inductive loops embedded in the road surface to detect approaching road users and trigger signal changes. While widely used, these systems can require disruptive roadworks for maintenance or replacement, and they provide more limited information than newer detection technologies.
Our virtual loops provide a new way to achieve this. By using above-ground sensing technology and software-defined detection zones, they can replicate the core function of inductive loops while avoiding the constraints of embedded infrastructure. At the same time, they enable a much broader level of detection and traffic analysis than traditional systems.
The project in Jyväskylä has three phases. It begins with baseline traffic measurement, followed by a comparison between inductive loop data and our system’s data, and finally a planned phase in which our detection technology could be used to support traffic light actuation. With this approach, the city gains detailed detection of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, together with traffic insights that go far beyond a simple detection signal. The system performs consistently in different weather and lighting conditions and can be deployed without roadworks or disruption to traffic.
While inductive loop detectors can identify road users reasonably well, they cannot distinguish between them. Our system adds a higher level of understanding by identifying different types of road users, tracking movement patterns, and enabling more flexible detection logic. One LiDAR sensor can cover several detection zones that would normally require multiple loops, simplifying installation and supporting future upgrades.
This project demonstrates that Flow Analytics by AGC offers a practical, flexible and cost-efficient alternative to inductive loops for traffic light actuation. By keeping existing infrastructure in place and adding advanced sensing, Jyväskylä is exploring a meaningful step toward safer and more efficient urban mobility.
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