XF-CQ11 road condition sensor​ for highway

XF-CQ11 road condition sensor is a non-contact device that uses infrared laser remote sensing technology to monitor road surface conditions in real time. It detects the type and thickness of water, ice, and snow and calculates the road’s slipperiness coefficient without damaging the pavement or affecting traffic. It is widely used in highways, bridges, airports, and road weather monitoring systems to improve road safety and winter maintenance efficiency.

  • Detection distance: 3-10 Meter
  • Detection area diameter: 50cm(6 Meter Far)
  • Installation angle to horizontal: 30-90 Degree
  • Power supply: DC9-30V
  • Operating temperature: -40℃ – +60℃
  • Working humidity: 0-100%
  • Road weather phenomena: Road temperature:-40℃ – +85℃

Introduction

The XF-CQ11 road condition sensor utilizes infrared laser remote sensing technology, which avoids damaging the road surface and thus prevents traffic disruptions caused by the installation of road weather stations. By analyzing the infrared spectral characteristics of water, ice, and snow, this non-contact road condition sensor provides real-time data on the actual road surface conditions, measures the type and thickness of water, ice, and snow coverage, and calculates the corresponding coefficient of friction.

Structure

  • Receiving lens
    Used to collect the reflected infrared signals from the road surface and transmit them to the internal detection module for analysis, ensuring accurate identification of road surface conditions.
  • Measuring Laser
    Emits infrared laser beams toward the road surface to analyze the spectral characteristics of water, ice, and snow, enabling the sensor to determine the type and thickness of surface coverage.
  • Positioning Laser
    Helps accurately indicate the measurement area on the road surface, ensuring that the sensor detects the correct monitoring point and improving measurement reliability.
  • Infrared Temperature Probe
    Measures the surface temperature of the road using infrared technology, providing essential data for identifying freezing conditions and evaluating road safety.
  • Sensor Rain Shield
    Protects the sensor components from rain, snow, and direct sunlight, ensuring stable operation and improving the durability and reliability of the sensor in outdoor environments.
road-condition-sensor

Working Principle road condition sensor

The XF-CQ11 road condition sensor provides real-time data on the actual condition of the road surface, measuring the type and thickness of water, ice, and snow coverage, and calculating the corresponding slip coefficient. This non-contact sensor features an infrared emitter aimed at a selected location on the road surface; light emitted from the sensor is reflected back to the receiver for processing and calculation. The sensor detects the thickness of water, snow, or ice by distinguishing the specific wavelengths reflected from the road surface caused by each of these elements.

Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and freezing temperatures can reduce the road surface friction coefficient, thereby adversely affecting traffic flow and driving safety. The non-contact road condition sensor establishes a practical “slipperiness” index that indicates the current road surface’s skid resistance; a higher value indicates better skid resistance. The sensor can quickly detect the current road surface’s skid resistance and alert users to road safety hazards.

sizes

Installation Method

The XF-CQ11 road surface condition sensor can be installed at the roadside, facing the road surface at a horizontal angle of 30 degrees or greater. It can also be installed above the road, such as on bridges or traffic signal structures. Traffic flow at the measurement location does not affect the measurement, unless a vehicle comes to a complete stop at that location for several minutes.

Details Show

Learn about the structural details and core design of this road surface condition sensor. The product features precision components and a robust protective housing, ensuring that all components and functions operate reliably in challenging environments. Below are the detailed features of the road surface condition sensor:

Specifications

The core technical specifications of the road condition sensor cover key metrics such as detection performance, environmental adaptability, and communication capabilities. These data provide a comprehensive understanding of the product’s stability and measurement accuracy under various climatic and road conditions, offering reliable support for road safety monitoring and intelligent transportation systems.

 Parameters

Detection distance3-10 Meter
Detection area diameter50cm(6 Meter Far)
Installation angle to horizontal30-90 Degree
Power supplyDC9-30V
Power consumption1W(Non-defogging heating)
Operating temperature-40℃ – +60℃
Working humidity0 – 100%
Water thickness0-10mm
Ice thickness0-10mm
Snow thickness0-10mm
Slippery degree0.01(Slippery)-0.82(Strong friction)
Pavement condition reportDry, wet, wet, snow, ice, ice water mixture
Road weather phenomenaRoad temperature:-40℃ – +85℃
Pavement materialAsphalt road
CommunicationRS485
Dimensions332*145*145mm

Features road condition sensor

Applications road condition sensor

Road condition sensors are widely used in various traffic and weather monitoring applications. By continuously monitoring road surface conditions—including moisture levels, icing, snow accumulation, and slipperiness—they provide critical data for road safety management and intelligent transportation systems, effectively enhancing traffic safety and operational efficiency.

road-condition-sensor-application

Real-time monitoring of road surface conditions assists traffic management authorities in issuing early warnings, thereby reducing the risk of traffic accidents during rainy or snowy weather.

Bridges and Elevated Sections

Bridge decks are more prone to icing; sensors provide early warnings of icing conditions to ensure driving safety.

road-condition-sensor-application

Tunnel Entrances and Exits

Due to significant temperature differences at tunnel entrances and exits, condensation and icing are common; sensors can promptly detect abnormal road conditions, enhancing traffic safety.

road-condition-sensor-application

Airport Runways

Real-time monitoring of runway icing and snow accumulation provides a safety basis for aircraft takeoffs and landings.

road-condition-sensor

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

As critical data collection devices, they integrate with traffic control platforms to enable intelligent road management.

road-condition-sensor

Winter Road Maintenance

Provides data support for snow removal and de-icing operations, enabling precise application of de-icing agents to reduce maintenance costs and improve efficiency.

custom road condition sensor

The road condition monitoring sensors supports extensive customization based on client requirements, meeting the specific demands of various road types, installation environments, and monitoring precision levels. Through the flexible configuration of sensor components, measurement parameters, and communication interfaces, it enables efficient and precise monitoring of road surface conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of application scenarios—including highways, urban roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports.

Customization Options

  • Detection Range
    Adjust the sensor’s detection range based on installation height and monitoring requirements to accommodate both short- and long-distance road surface monitoring.
  • Installation Angle
    Supports horizontal installation angles ranging from 30° to 90°, enabling accurate measurements on roads with varying gradients or in bridge and tunnel environments.
  • Measurement Parameters
    Customizable accuracy for detecting water, ice, and snow thickness, as well as the measurement range for slip resistance, to meet specific safety assessment requirements.
  • Communication Interfaces
    Supports RS485, RS232, and other digital interface options for seamless integration with existing monitoring systems or intelligent transportation platforms.
  • Protection Rating
    Select rainproof, dustproof, or snow/ice-proof enclosures based on outdoor environments to ensure long-term sensor operation.
  • Power Supply and Power Consumption
    Offers various voltage ranges and low-power consumption design solutions to accommodate diverse power supply conditions and energy-saving requirements.
road-condition-sensor

Road Condition Sensor Manufacturer and Supplier

Yantai Sensor is a professional road condition sensor manufacturer and supplier, specializing in high-precision road surface monitoring and ice and snow detection sensors for transportation safety and smart traffic management. Our road condition monitoring sensors are designed for reliable, long-term operation in complex outdoor environments such as highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and intelligent transportation systems.

With independent R&D capabilities, advanced production facilities, and a professional environmental testing laboratory, each road condition sensor undergoes strict quality inspections, including temperature and humidity aging, salt spray resistance, vibration testing, and performance evaluation. Backed by multiple patents and certifications such as CE, ISO, and RoHS, we provide high-quality road condition sensors and ice and snow detection solutions along with flexible OEM/ODM services to support road weather monitoring systems (RWIS), smart transportation infrastructure, and global road safety projects.

Certificates

We have CNAS, ISO, CE, and RoHS certifications, and all weather monitoring systems meet rigorous international standards.

FAQs

What is a road condition sensor?

A road condition sensor is a non-contact device that monitors the real-time status of road surfaces, detecting conditions like wet, dry, icy, snowy, or slushy roads to improve traffic safety.

How does a road condition sensor detect ice and snow?

It uses infrared laser technology and spectral analysis to identify the presence and thickness of ice, snow, or water on the pavement.

Where are road condition sensors commonly used?

They are widely deployed on highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and urban roads, and can integrate into road weather monitoring systems (RWIS) and intelligent transportation systems.

Are road condition sensors affected by extreme weather?

No, high-quality sensors are designed to operate reliably in temperatures from -40℃ to +60℃ and in humidity from 0–100%, with protection against rain, snow, and dust.

What is the detection range of a typical road condition sensor?

Most sensors can detect road surface conditions at distances from 3 to 10 meters and cover an area up to 50 cm in diameter at 6 meters distance.

Why choose a road condition sensor for winter road maintenance?

Why choose a road condition sensor for winter road maintenance?