Traffic data extraction from video data and reidentification of vehicles in real time

Abstract

Crossings can be monitored by video cameras fixed, e.g., at high buildings. An algorithm is presented to extract from such video data traffic data in real-time. The data can be used, e.g., to optimise traffic flow by controlling traffic lights dynamically. In order to minimise the number of cameras it is useful to reidentify vehicles leaving one monitored region and afterwards entering the viewing field of a further camera. From reidentified vehicles travel times can be obtained which are relevant parameters for traffic control. A method to reidentify vehicles based on extraction of 3D prototype vehicle models and on colour extraction from the top plane of vehicles is presented. Shadows and light reflections on wet street are corrected, and therefore, the high recognition accuracy is achieved which is necessary to find the top plane of the vehicles. The algorithms are suitable for real-time applications.