I wonder if another system can use lasers/light beams to detect obstructions on the runway? Rather than relying on vehicles actively reporting their positions (

I wonder if another system can use lasers/light beams to detect obstructions on the runway? Rather than relying on vehicles actively reporting their positions (which can malfunction, and as far as I know only aircraft are equipped - cars/trucks/snow clearing vehicles don't have it), it would instead just check whether there's anything on the runway and alert the controller (and ideally any approaching planes via the ILS antennas) that the runway is obstructed?