What is the primary factor that affects a vehicle’s capability to be detected by radar?

The primary factor that affects a vehicle's capability to be detected by radar is its size. Radar systems work by emitting radio waves and measuring how they bounce back from objects. Larger vehicles generally present a larger surface area for the radar waves to reflect off of, which helps the radar system to detect and measure their speed more effectively.

When discussing vehicle detection, radar operates on the principle of line-of-sight and the return signal strength. A bigger vehicle not only reflects more radar waves but is also more likely to be within the effective range of the radar. Vehicles that are smaller or less substantial might not return a strong enough signal for accurate detection, making size a crucial factor.

While vehicle speed and shape can also influence radar detection to some extent—especially in the way waves interact with the object—size remains the key characteristic that determines how well a vehicle can be detected. Vehicle color has negligible impact on radar detection because radar is more concerned with the physical dimensions and material of the vehicle rather than its appearance.