Simple capacitive seat sensing for occupancy detection and passenger counting in minibus taxis
Date
2014-07
Authors
Zeeman, Adriaan Siebrits
Booysen, Marthinus J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Transport Conference
Abstract
The informal public transportation sector in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes significantly to public transport, and yet little is known about passenger mobility patterns. We propose a low cost system to measure occupancy in a minibus taxi, and to improve understanding of passenger mobility in the taxi industry. A low cost capacitive proximity sensor for seat occupancy detection based on the loading mode capacitive sensing technique is designed and integrated with cellular communications to provide real-time information. The capacitive sensor uses a single electrode to detect an occupant. We use modules for a dynamic wireless system integration where sensors can be added or removed without modifications. A mathematical model of the capacitive sensor is developed to determine the capacitance on the sensor’s electrode. The occupied capacitance is double the unoccupied capacitance. Our results show that the proposed capacitive sensor can distinguish clearly between an unoccupied and occupied seat for multiple seats.
Description
Conferende theme: Leading transport into the future
Please cite as follows:
Zeeman, A. S. & Booysen, M. J. 2014. Simple capacitive seat sensing for occupancy detection and passenger counting in minibus taxis paper delivered at the 33rd annual Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, South Africa on 7 - 10 July 2014.
Please cite as follows:
Zeeman, A. S. & Booysen, M. J. 2014. Simple capacitive seat sensing for occupancy detection and passenger counting in minibus taxis paper delivered at the 33rd annual Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, South Africa on 7 - 10 July 2014.
Keywords
Minibus taxis, occupants, Passenger mobility -- South Africa, Computerized instruments, Mathematical analysis, Capacity proximity sensor, Proximity detectors
Citation
Zeeman, A. S. & Booysen, M. J. 2014. Simple capacitive seat sensing for occupancy detection and passenger counting in minibus taxis paper delivered at the 33rd annual Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, South Africa on 7 - 10 July 2014.