Video Detection Applications and

Benefits for the ITS National Workshop

By Iqbal Singh Jagdeva

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 Video Detection Applications
 Traffic Signal Control

 Traffic Management

 Safety and Security

Video Detection has unique benefits in each of the above

applications

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 Traffic Signal Control Applications
 As a detector to provide “real time” demand notification to
address urban congestion. Can provide:
– Stop line – Presence detection
– Adaptive - SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation
Technique) or SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic
System)
 As a Data Collector for turning movement
counts
 As a trigger for Red Light
Enforcement systems
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Traffic Signal Control Application

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Traffic Signal Control Application

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 Red Light Enforcement Application
Distance between
leading edges of trigger
lines (blue) is known by
RLE system
RLE camera
system

Video Camera

Signal Controller

Detection processor

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Red Light Enforcement Application

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Red Light Enforcement Application

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Red Light Enforcement Application

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 Traffic Management Applications
 For Highways and arterials
– Collect traffic data
– Provide On-Ramp metering
– Perform Automatic Incident Detection
 For tunnels
– Perform Automatic Incident Detection
 As an input to Traveler Information for alternate routes via
GIS or web

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Traffic Management Data Collection

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Traffic Management Data Collection

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 Security and Safety Applications
 Notify you for stopped vehicles where they don’t belong
 Helps to initiate rapid incident detection and emergency
response
 Especially useful in Tunnel
management for:
– Automatic Incident Detection
– Wrong way vehicle detection
– Smoke or fire detection
– Lost cargo

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Safety and Security Application

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Safety and Security Application

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 Video Detection Benefits
 Vehicle detection and video images from one system
– Image can be transmitted to remote site
– Video is the only detection technology that let’s the user
“see” the detector working AND the situation
 Dependable and reliable detection
– Higher availability compared to in-pavement detection
resulting in minimal downtime

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 Video Detection Benefits
 Easier Installation than in-pavement sensors
– Reduced lane closures – safer for installers
– Typically mounts on existing structures (signal or lighting
poles, or sign structures)
– Wireless systems reduce installation costs when
underground conduit is not available for cables
 Overall Lower Procurement than loops
– Installed cost often lower than inductive loops - over time
– More function through one device than other detectors

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 Video Detection Benefits
 Lower life cycle cost
– No periodic maintenance or calibration required
– Installation does not damage the roadway
– Unaffected by Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes
 Greater flexibility and function over other sensors
– Enables rapid changes to detector configuration to
accommodate changing detection requirements
– Not affected by construction or road re-surfacing

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 What to look for in your Video Detector
 Does in install into your existing
cabinet and work with your
controller?
 Does it replace the function of
your loop amplifier module easily?
 Does it provide the same outputs
as your loop amplifier module?
 Is it “Plug and Play”?
All of the above can affect your set
up time and cost

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 Video Detection Installation
 Is it hardened and to what degree?
 Does it include surge suppression
against electrical storms?
 Can it be installed at the Traffic
Control Center easily?
 Does it conform to adopted video
streaming standards such as
MPEG4/H.264?

All of the above can affect your

maintenance and connection costs

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 Algorithm design should include
 Rejects and compensates for shadows
 Ignores camera movement
 Continuous hold of detection
 Directional sensitivity (up, down, left, right)
 Adjusts for glare and bright headlights
 Adjusts for low contrast
 Compensates for fog and snow

Failure in any ones of these areas leads to poor performance and

false detections

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 Video Detection Summary
 Video detection can be used as an alternative detector for
Traffic Signal and Traffic Management systems. It is a
proven system being deployed worldwide.
 Not a wholesale replacement for loops but to be used
when road conditions may be poor or security or safety
important.
 Camera positioning and geometry are important but once
achieved the results are dependable and reliable detection
in a variety of weather and lighting conditions.

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Thank you!

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