System and method for detecting physical deformation of a pole

A pole (110), such as a street light or a traffic light, can, for example, break due to being hit by a car or bend due to being exposed to high winds. A system (100) for detecting physical deformation of a pole (110) comprises a signal processor (130) coupled to an antenna (120) arranged to receive a wireless signal (150). The signal processor (130) determines position data based on the wireless signal (150). A processor (140) analyzes position data to determine whether there is a variation between first position data relating to a first time period and second position data relating to a subsequent time period. When the pole (110) has been physically deformed between the first and the second time period, the first and second position data will vary and the processor determines that the pole has been physically deformed.