Seismic Doppler Sensing: A Single-Seismometer Approach for Vehicle and Aircraft Monitoring

The Doppler effect is widely observed and applied in sound and electromagnetic waves, but its use in seismic waves has been relatively limited. Seismometers, however, can record vibration signals generated by moving vehicles and aircraft. In this study, we utilized data from a single seismometer to analyze the Doppler effect of seismic signals generated by moving sources. Through experiments conducted on the Hefei Ring Expressway and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in China, we captured the Doppler responses of vehicle and aircraft signals. By employing Doppler curve fitting methods, we successfully estimated vehicle speed and lane position, as well as aircraft acceleration, speed, and altitude during takeoff and landing phases. The results indicate that seismic signals can serve as a new monitoring data source, less influenced by visibility and weather conditions, thereby offering a novel approach for traffic monitoring and flight condition assessment.