Design driveway detection for gates, homes, and sites. Adjust width, lanes, range, and overlap easily. Export results, then install with clear placement guidance included.
| Scenario | Technology | Length × Width | Alert points | Recommended units | Placements (m from road) | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential gate | PIR Motion | 45 m × 4 m | 2 | 2 | 8, 43 | Medium |
| Wide drive, two lanes | Microwave / Radar | 80 m × 7 m | 3 | 3 | 10, 44, 78 | Low–Med |
| Industrial entry control | Inductive Loop | 25 m × 6 m | 2 | 4 | 6, 23 | Very Low |
These examples illustrate placement logic. Real-world results depend on device specs, mounting, and site obstacles.
1) Coverage spacing (for range-based technologies):
Overlap improves reliability by ensuring detection zones intersect.
2) Sensors per alert point (for area sensors):
Coverage width depends on technology; wide drives may need multiples.
3) Device count (simplified design rule):
Complexity adds allowance for curves, snow, vegetation, and alignment.
4) Battery estimate (when battery-powered):
The calculator applies a de-rating factor to reflect cold weather and aging.
PIR and radar sensors suit long approaches, typically 12–20 m per unit, while magnetic probes and loops target vehicle presence at specific points. Beam pairs provide clear threshold detection across widths but require alignment. The calculator converts driveway width into sensors per alert point using coverage width, then scales by alert points. Selecting technology changes hardware count, wiring needs, and expected false triggers, especially in mixed traffic zones.
Alert points create staged warnings: an early trigger near the entrance and later confirmation near the house or gate. Placement distances are distributed from the first alert offset to a small end clearance. For range-based designs, spacing follows range × (1 − overlap). Higher overlap (10–25%) reduces gaps caused by angle, slope, or speed, but increases units and cost. A 2 m clearance reduces turnaround and parking triggers.
Site conditions strongly influence reliability. Pets and wildlife add motion noise, while vegetation and shadows increase nuisance alarms for optical and PIR units. Snow, dust, and wind can disturb beams and create drifting cover. The calculator maps these factors into a 1–10 risk score and adds an installation allowance for complex sites. Mount height and aiming across the driveway help suppress road pass-by events during hours.
Battery planning focuses on standby drain and short active bursts. Daily consumption equals standby_mA×24 plus triggers×active_mA×(active_seconds/3600). Triggers scale with vehicles per day and alert points, so multi-stage designs reduce surprise replacements. The tool de-rates capacity to reflect cold weather and aging, and it assumes consistent traffic patterns. If your chosen technology does not support battery operation, select wired power and budget conduit or trenching.
Budgeting combines hardware, labor per unit, and a contingency for fittings and rework. Curved driveways and harsh environments increase the unit count by a complexity percentage, reflecting extra posts, brackets, or redundant points. Use vendor quotes to override unit and receiver costs, then compare totals across technologies. After installation, validate each point with slow and fast passes and adjust overlap, aim angle, and sensitivity.
Two points work for most homes: an early entrance alert and a near-gate confirmation. Use three or more on long or curved drives to reduce blind spots and improve reliability.
Use 10–15% for straight, clear approaches. Increase to 20–25% for curves, slopes, or variable speeds. Higher overlap increases unit count, but it reduces missed detections from imperfect aiming.
Area sensors have a finite coverage width. The calculator uses ceiling(width ÷ coverage_width) to estimate how many devices are needed at each alert point so vehicles cannot slip through an uncovered edge.
They can be, but they need rigid posts, careful alignment, and snow shielding. If drifting snow or plowing is common, mount higher and add a second confirmation point to reduce nuisance alarms.
It is a planning estimate based on standby and active current, trigger counts, and a de-rating factor. Real battery life varies by temperature, signal strength, and device firmware. Validate with a short field trial.
Confirm mounting locations, clear vegetation, and test each point with slow and fast passes. Adjust aim angle, sensitivity, and overlap until detections are consistent while road traffic and pets do not trigger alerts.
Tip: Always verify with manufacturer specifications and perform a short on-site test before final installation.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.