What is Vehicle Counting with Computer Vision?
Intelligent vehicle counting plays an important role in the transportation systems of smart cities. Computationally efficient and reliable deep learning algorithms can classify the type and number in real-time using the video of conventional surveillance cameras.
This is a key strategy of traffic analytics and can be used on highway and urban roads under different weather and traffic conditions. A vehicle counting system can be permanently installed using already or newly installed surveillance cameras.
Key Features of a Vehicle Tracking System
Robust deep learning algorithms achieve high accuracy in object detection and classification tasks.
- Detect and classify multiple vehicle types (truck, bus, bicycle, car) automatically and contactless.
- Track multiple detected objects and count them in real-time as they pass a specific area.
- Aggregate counting data over time with custom logic and send it to third-party systems.
- Edge AI allows full data privacy and robustness with on-device machine learning for image processing.
Value of Vehicle Counting Applications
Vision-based vehicle counting provides a highly scalable method that can be employed at multiple remote locations.
- Fully automated traffic analysis in real-time, applicable for large-scale use.
- Detect anomalies and dangerous events effectively, using the video of common CCTV cameras.
- Insights to detect and monitor peak hours, and bottlenecks and compare different locations.
- Quantify and track changes over time and how measures (to reduce traffic congestion or lower urban traffic to reduce emissions) effectively impact traffic flow.
Who Uses Vehicle Counting Systems?
- Transportation Authorities: Transportation authorities use vehicle counting systems to monitor traffic flow, congestion levels, and movement patterns on roads, highways, and intersections. With this info, authorities can better plan road infrastructure improvements, optimize traffic signal timings, and manage traffic congestion.
- City Planners and Urban Developers: City planners and urban developers utilize vehicle counting systems to analyze traffic patterns to make informed decisions about urban development. This could include road expansions, public transportation routes, and parking facilities.
- Retailers and Shopping Centers: Retailers and shopping centers deploy systems to monitor the entering and exiting of their parking lots to understand customer traffic patterns, optimize parking layouts, and improve overall customer experience.
- Parking Management Companies: Parking management companies use vehicle counting systems for parking space occupancy in parking lots and garages. This enables efficient management of parking resources and reduces congestion.
- Event Organizers: Event organizers must count vehicles to manage traffic flow and parking logistics during large-scale events such as concerts, sports games, and festivals. By monitoring vehicle movements, organizers can implement traffic control measures and allocate parking spaces effectively.
- Security and Law Enforcement Agencies: Security and law enforcement agencies employ vehicle counting systems for surveillance purposes, monitoring activity in sensitive areas, and identifying potential security threats or suspicious behavior.
