SWARCO Smart LiDAR bringing a new dimension to traffic intelligence

Every intersection tells a story. Vehicles approaching from different directions, cyclists navigating through traffic, pedestrians crossing the road – all moving at different speeds and interacting in countless ways. Understanding these movements is essential to making urban mobility safer and more efficient. With Smart LiDAR, SWARCO is taking traffic detection to a new dimension, transforming complex traffic environments into precise, real-time intelligence.

Traditional traffic detection systems can identify vehicles, count road users or register movements within predefined zones. Modern intersections are becoming increasingly complex; simply knowing that something is there is no longer enough.

What if an intersection could understand not only that someone is approaching, but also: how fast they are moving and where they are heading?

This is precisely where SWARCO Smart LiDAR comes in.

Smart LiDAR combines advanced 3D laser sensing with artificial intelligence and powerful edge computing to create a continuously updated representation of the traffic environment.

Rather than relying on individual detection points, the system captures the intersection as a three-dimensional scene. Vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users are detected and classified, providing  information about their positions, speeds, directions and trajectories.

Two high-performance LiDAR sensors are sufficient to cover a typical intersection. With a detection range of up to 300 meters and a horizontal field of view of 120 degrees per sensor, they capture detailed spatial information across a wide area – independently of ambient lighting conditions.

But capturing the data is just the beginning.

The real innovation lies in what happens to the information collected.

SWARCO's Smart Fusion software combines data from both sensors into one coherent traffic scene. Powered by an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super edge computing platform, the system processes this information locally and in real time.

Advanced algorithms transform complex 3D point clouds into structured information about individual road users and their movements. The system supports classification into eleven road-user and vehicle categories, ranging from pedestrians and bicycles to passenger cars, buses and heavy vehicles.

By processing sensor data locally at the intersection, Smart LiDAR enables low-latency, real-time operation with reduced dependence on external connectivity. The resulting traffic information can be delivered directly to connected traffic management systems.

One of the system’s greatest strengths is its integration with SWARCO Smart AI, a self-learning solution that continuously optimizes traffic signal control based on actual traffic demand.

While Smart LiDAR provides a detailed understanding of the traffic environment, Smart AI turns this information into intelligent control decisions. Together, they enable intersections to respond dynamically to changing traffic conditions and the needs of different road users.

Smart LiDAR's potential extends far beyond traffic efficiency.

By continuously tracking road users and analyzing their interactions, the system provides valuable insights into intersection safety. It can detect red-light violations, identify near misses and reveal potentially dangerous interactions.

Movement trajectories and heatmaps help identify locations where critical situations repeatedly occur. Rather than relying exclusively on historical accident statistics, traffic authorities can gain insight into emerging safety risks before serious incidents happen.

Additional information about traffic volumes, queues, turning movements and pedestrian activity also supports infrastructure planning and traffic optimization.

SWARCO Smart LiDAR allows operators to see more, understand more, and manage traffic with confidence. Smart LiDAR is already demonstrating its potential, with further international deployments being prepared. 

Stay tuned!

Download the Smart LiDAR product brochure here.