What does LIDAR use to measure a target vehicle's speed?

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) measures a target vehicle's speed by utilizing the principle known as time of flight. This method involves sending a laser beam towards the target and measuring the time it takes for the light to bounce back after hitting the vehicle. The system calculates the speed by determining how long the light takes to travel to the vehicle and return. This precise measurement of the time interval allows LIDAR to accurately assess the distance to the target and, when combined with continuous measurements, to determine the speed. Time of flight is essential in LIDAR technology, as it provides the necessary data to calculate speed with high accuracy, making it a reliable tool for speed detection in law enforcement and traffic monitoring.