Experimental Blowing Dust Alarm System for Highways

摘要

Blowing dust storms pose a visibility hazard to highway motorists. An experimental alarm which senses electrification of a metal antenna by blowing dust particles is described. The metal antenna can be an ordinary radio whip antenna or an insulated top strand of barbed-wire right of way fence to monitor a greater area. The sensor responded favorably under conditions of half mile visibility and 20 mph winds. Field tests were conducted by telemetry to an office microcomputer. Dust related radio noise which blanks out broadcast reception is attributed to electrification of metallic objects and subsequent corona or spark discharge. An experimental acoustic sensor for blowing sand is also described, along with comment on application of an ionization chamber to detect motionless dust.