Management support system, management support method, and program

Abstract

A management assistance system according to the present disclosure comprises: a detection means for detecting a road surface mark and a degree of wear of the road surface mark from a road surface image in which a road surface has been captured; a determination means for, on the basis of the degree of wear of the road surface mark, determining whether the road surface mark will be reapplied; and a calculation means for, on the basis of the road surface mark for which it has been determined that reapplication would occur, calculating the amount of paint to be used in the reapplication of the road surface mark.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management support system and the like.

Background Art

[0002] For road safety and smooth traffic, road signs, pavement markings, and traffic signals are provided on roads. The pavement markings drawn on the road wear out over time. Therefore, management of worn pavement markings is necessary.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for recognizing pavement markings based on an image captured of a vehicle's traveling road and corresponding reference data. In Patent Document 1, when a state where the similarity to the reference data is below a predetermined threshold continues for a certain period, it is determined that repainting of the pavement markings is necessary.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Road administrators have a desire to know the cost of repainting pavement markings.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a management support system and the like that assist in calculating the amount of paint required for repainting pavement markings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The management support system according to the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, a determination unit that determines whether to repaint the road markings based on the degree of wear of the road markings, and a calculation unit that calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted.

[0008] The management support method according to the present disclosure detects road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, determines whether to repaint the road markings based on the degree of wear of the road markings, and calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted.

[0009] The program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of detecting road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, determining whether to repaint the road markings based on the degree of wear of the road markings, and calculating the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to assist in calculating the amount of paint required for repainting road markings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the management support system, management support method, program, and non-transitory recording medium for recording the program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. This embodiment does not limit the disclosed technology.

[0013] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a management support system 100 according to an embodiment. The management support system 100 according to the first embodiment includes a detection unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a calculation unit 103. In this embodiment, a case where the management support system 100 further includes a display control unit 104 is shown. However, the management support system 100 may not include the display control unit 104.

[0014] In one embodiment, the management support system 100 is used for the management of road markings painted on the road with paint. The road markings are markings related to traffic painted on the road surface. The road markings include road signs, lane lines, and unauthorized markings. There are multiple types of road markings. The types of road markings include, for example, stop lines, crosswalks, stop signs, crosswalk warnings, no-overhang for overtaking, center lines of lanes, lane boundary lines, and outer lines of lanes, but are not limited thereto.

[0015] Note that the road surfaces targeted by the management support system 100 are not limited to general roads where vehicles and people pass, and also include vehicle test courses, airport runways, guiding roads, etc. That is, the management support system 100 can widely target road surfaces on which road markings are drawn.

[0016] The detection unit 101 detects road markings and the wear degree of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a road surface image obtained by photographing a road on which a vehicle runs. A crosswalk, which is an example of a road marking, is imaged in the road surface image of FIG. 2.

[0018] The road surface image is captured by an in-vehicle camera such as a drive recorder. However, the type of camera is not limited to this, and various types of cameras may be used. For example, the road surface image may be captured by a camera mounted on another moving body such as a bicycle or a drone, a camera carried by a person, or a fixed camera installed on the road. The road surface image may be captured by a person or automatically.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device that is communicably connected to the management support system 100 via a communication network 30 by wire or wirelessly.

[0020] The display 20 is a display connected to a computer, a tablet, or the like. The display control unit 104 provided in the management support system 100 causes the display 20 to display various information. The information to be displayed by the display control unit 104 will be described later.

[0021] The road surface image captured by the camera mounted on the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the management support system 100. The transmitted road surface image may be stored in the database 40. At this time, the detection unit 101 may acquire the road surface image from the database 40. Alternatively, when the management support system 100 is communicably connected to an arbitrary camera, the detection unit 101 may acquire the road surface image from the camera.

[0022] The detection unit 101 may acquire the position information of the location where the road surface image was taken together with the road surface image. The position information includes, for example, latitude and longitude, position information by GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), GPS (Global Positioning System), or the position on the map.

[0023] The method of acquiring the position is not particularly limited. A device for receiving radio waves from GNSS satellites may be provided on a moving object such as a camera or a vehicle. Further, the detection unit 101 may acquire the position information of the newly taken road surface image by comparing, for example, the road surface image stored in the database in association with the position information with the newly taken road surface image.

[0024] Furthermore, the detection unit 101 may acquire the date and time when the road surface image was taken together with the road surface image.

[0025] The detection unit 101 detects, for example, the portion where the road marking is drawn from the acquired road surface image. The detection unit 101 detects the road marking by recognizing, for example, the color or shape of the road marking by known image recognition techniques. Road markings are generally drawn with white or yellow paint. However, the detection unit 101 may also detect road markings drawn in blue, green, and other colors.

[0026] The detection unit 101 may determine the type of the road marking. The method of determining the type of the road marking is not particularly limited. The detection unit 101 determines the type of the road marking from the shape of the portion where the road marking is detected by referring to, for example, a database of the shapes of road markings. For example, the detection unit 101 may execute the detection of the road marking and the determination of the type of the road marking as one process. The detection unit 101 may determine the type of the road marking by image recognition using a model obtained by machine learning of road markings.

[0027] The detection unit 101 may utilize the position information of the location where the road surface image was captured in order to determine the type of road surface marking. For example, the detection unit 101 may refer to a database that stores the correspondence between positions and the types of road surface markings depicted at those positions. By referring to the database, the detection unit 101 may determine the type of road surface marking included in the road surface image from the position information of the location where the road surface image was captured.

[0028] The detection unit 101 may refer to a database that stores road surface images captured in the past at the location where the road surface image was captured for the determination of the type of road surface marking. For example, it is assumed that there may be a case where the current wear level is high and it is difficult to detect road surface markings from the road surface image. In such a case, the road surface images captured in the past are expected to have a lower wear level than the current one. Therefore, by referring to the past images, the road surface markings that should be included in the road surface image can be recognized. Accordingly, the accuracy of determining the type of road surface marking may be improved.

[0029] The detection unit 101 detects the wear level of the road surface marking for which the type has been determined. The wear level may be represented by, for example, multiple levels such as "high, medium, low". Also, the wear level may be represented by a numerical value or a percentage. For example, a state where there is no abrasion on the road surface marking is set as a wear level of 0%. And, for example, as the area where the color of the road surface paving can be seen in the portion where the road surface marking is drawn increases, the wear level approaches 100%. The wear level may be set such that the value representing the wear level increases as the ratio of the abraded portion is higher. Alternatively, the wear level may be the similarity to the shape of the non-abraded road surface marking stored in the database. In this case, the lower the similarity, the higher the wear level is set.

[0030] Note that the method for detecting the wear level of the road surface marking is not particularly limited. For example, the detection unit 101 may refer to a database of the shapes of road surface markings for each wear level and execute the determination of the type of road surface marking and the detection of the wear level simultaneously. Also, the wear level may be detected by a model that has learned the wear level of road surface markings.

[0031] In addition to detecting road markings, the detection unit 101 may detect the width and length of the road. For example, the detection unit 101 detects the width and length of the road from a road surface image.

[0032] The detection unit 101 may determine whether road markings detected from a plurality of road surface images are the same road markings on the same road surface. Also, the detection unit 101 may utilize position information to prevent duplicate detection of the same road markings from a plurality of road surface images. For example, for road surface images taken within a predetermined distance, the detection unit 101 may omit the detection of road markings. Also, the detection unit 101 may utilize the date and time when the road surface image was taken to prevent duplicate detection. For example, for road surface images continuously taken within a predetermined time, the detection unit 101 may omit the detection of road markings.

[0033] The determination unit 102 determines whether to repaint a road marking based on the degree of wear of the road marking. The criterion for determining whether to repaint is not particularly limited. For example, the determination unit 102 may determine to repaint the road marking when the degree of wear exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the determination unit 102 may determine not to repaint the road marking when the degree of wear does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0034] The unit for which the determination unit 102 determines whether to repaint is appropriately determined. For example, the determination unit 102 may determine whether to repaint for each combination, taking a combination of a line, a figure, a character, or a number as one unit for each unit of a road marking having a meaning related to traffic.

[0035] Further, the determination unit 102 may determine whether to repaint each partial area of the road marking. The partial area may be an area for each component of the road marking. The components may include, for example, lines, figures, characters, or numbers that make up the road marking. As an example, the determination unit 102 determines whether to repaint each line that makes up the road marking. Further, the partial area may be a delimited range of the road marking. The determination unit 102 may delimit the road marking within a predetermined range and determine whether to repaint each delimited range. As an example, the determination unit 102 may delimit a single line within a predetermined range and determine whether to repaint it.

[0036] The determination unit 102 may delimit the road within a predetermined range and determine whether to repaint the road markings included in each delimited range.

[0037] The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking based on the road marking determined to be repainted. For example, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the amount of paint based on the area of the road marking determined to be repainted. The area of the road marking to be repainted represents the area of the road surface to be repainted on the actual road surface.

[0038] The calculation unit 103 acquires the area of the road marking to be repainted. The method of acquiring the area is not particularly limited. For example, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the area of the road marking to be repainted from the road surface image. For example, based on the area of the road surface represented by one pixel of the road surface image determined in advance, the calculation unit 103 converts the number of pixels representing the road marking to be repainted into the area of the road marking to be repainted. The calculation unit 103 may convert the road surface image taken obliquely above the road surface into an image as if taken from directly above the road surface and then calculate the area of the road marking. That is, the calculation unit 103 may convert the road marking photographed in a shape that appears different from the actual shape in the road surface image into the actual shape and then calculate the area of the road marking.

[0039] The calculation unit 103 may calculate the area of the road markings to be repainted from a predetermined area for each type of road marking. As an example, the calculation unit 103 may obtain the number of lines representing crosswalks from the road surface image. Then, the calculation unit 103 calculates the area from the predetermined area per line representing the crosswalk and the number of lines to be repainted. The calculation unit 103 may further calculate the area of the road markings to be repainted with reference to the width or length of the road from the road surface image. For example, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the area of the crosswalk drawn on the road with reference to the width and length of the road having the crosswalk.

[0040] The amount of paint used for repainting is, for example, the volume or weight of the paint predicted to be used. The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint, for example, by multiplying the amount used per unit area, which is predetermined, by the area of the road markings.

[0041] Alternatively, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the amount of paint based on a predetermined amount of paint used for each type of road marking. When the area to be repainted according to the type of road marking is predetermined, the amount of paint is calculated from the type of road marking. Therefore, the calculation of the amount of paint based on the type of road marking is also included as an example of the calculation based on the area of the road markings.

[0042] Alternatively, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the amount of paint based on a predetermined amount of paint used for each length of the road marking. As an example, the length of the dividing line to be repainted may be obtained from the road surface image. Then, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the amount of paint based on the predetermined amount of paint used per unit length of the dividing line.

[0043] The calculation unit 103 may calculate the amount of paint used for each type of paint used. As an example, the calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting for each type of paint color.

[0044] The calculation unit 103 may calculate the total area to be repainted for a plurality of road markings detected from a plurality of road surface images as well as a single road surface image.

[0045] Furthermore, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the price of the paint used for repainting based on the amount of paint used and the price of the paint per unit amount.

[0046] The display control unit 104 causes the calculated amount of paint to be displayed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that the display control unit 104 causes to be displayed on the display. D41 indicates the amount of paint used for repainting. D42 indicates a road surface image. The map D43 indicates the location where the road surface image was taken.

[0047] As shown in D41 of FIG. 4, the display control unit 104 may cause the total amount of paint required for repainting the road markings at a plurality of locations to be displayed. However, the display control unit 104 may cause the total amount of paint required for repainting the road markings detected from a single road surface image to be displayed. Further, the display control unit 104 may cause the total amount of paint required for repainting to be displayed for each type of road marking.

[0048] The display control unit 104 may cause the amount of paint used to be displayed for each type of paint used. As an example, the display control unit 104 may cause the amount of paint to be displayed for each color used. By displaying the amount of paint for each color, the user can prepare the required amount of the required color of paint.

[0049] The display control unit 104 may further display information other than the amount of paint. For example, the display control unit 104 may cause the road surface image D42 to be displayed for a selected location on the map D43. The selection of the location may be made by the user or automatically by the management support system 100.

[0050] In addition, the display control unit 104 may display the positions of road markings that need to be repainted on the map D43. For example, the display control unit 104 acquires the position information of the point where the road surface image is captured from the detection unit 101, and plots the point corresponding to the position information on the map D43.

[0051] The information displayed by the display control unit 104 is not limited to the above. For example, the display control unit 104 may also plot on the map D43 the road markings that do not need to be repainted. The display control unit 104 may plot the road markings that need to be repainted and the road markings that do not need to be repainted in different ways. For example, the road markings that need to be repainted may be plotted with red marks, and the road markings that do not need to be repainted may be plotted with green marks.

[0052] Furthermore, the display control unit 104 may display the area of the road marking determined to be repainted on the road surface image D42. For example, the display control unit 104 superimposes a display indicating the area to be repainted on the road surface image. In addition, the display control unit 104 may display the area of the road on which the road marking determined to be repainted is located on the map D43.

[0053] The display control unit 104 may show the area of the road marking determined to be repainted and the area of the road marking determined not to be repainted on the road surface image D42 in different ways. For example, the area to be repainted with paint may be filled and displayed in red on the screen. Also, the area not to be repainted may be surrounded by a green frame and displayed on the screen.

[0054] Furthermore, the display control unit 104 may display the price of the paint used for repainting the road markings.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the management support system 100 according to an embodiment.

[0056] The detection unit 101 detects road markings and the wear degree of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface (step S1). The detection unit 101 delivers the road markings and the wear degree of the road markings detected to the determination unit 102.

[0057] The determination unit 102 determines whether to repaint the road marking based on the wear degree of the road marking (step S2). The determination unit 102 transfers the road marking determined to be repainted to the calculation unit 103.

[0058] The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking based on the road marking determined to be repainted (step S3). After step S3, the display control unit 104 may display the calculated amount of paint on the display.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the management support system 100 detects the road marking and the wear degree of the road marking from the road surface image, determines whether to repaint the road marking, and calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking. In addition, the management support system 100 displays the amount of paint used. Therefore, the user can grasp the amount of paint required for repainting the road marking.

[0060] [Second Embodiment] As a second embodiment, a case where the management support system 100 accepts a change in the determination of whether to repaint the road marking from the user will be described.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management support system 100 according to an embodiment. The management support system 100 according to the second embodiment includes a detection unit 101, a determination unit 102, a calculation unit 103, a display control unit 104, and a reception unit 105. Regarding the configurations of the detection unit 101, the determination unit 102, the calculation unit 103, and the display control unit 104 according to the second embodiment, detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0062] The display control unit 104 according to the second embodiment displays the result of determining whether to repaint the road marking. In addition, the display control unit 104 displays the road marking so that it can be selected. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the result of determining whether to repaint is displayed on a map. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the result of determining whether to repaint is displayed on a road surface image.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 102 may output the confidence level of the determination as to whether to repaint the road markings. The confidence level represents the validity of the determination. When the confidence level is low, it is preferable for the user to check the road surface image. The confidence level becomes low when the wear level is close to the criterion for repainting or when it is difficult to detect the road markings. The determination unit 102 may obtain the validity of the detection result from the detection unit 101 and determine the confidence level based on the validity of the detection result.

[0064] For road markings with a low confidence level, the determination unit 102 may provisionally determine them as road markings to be repainted. The display control unit 104 may display road markings with a low confidence level in a manner different from other road markings. For example, the display control unit 104 may display road markings with a high confidence level for repainting with red marks, road markings not to be repainted with green marks, and then show road markings with a low confidence level with yellow marks on the map.

[0065] The reception unit 105 receives input from an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. For example, the reception unit 105 receives the selection of road markings. The unit for receiving the selection is appropriately determined in the same manner as the unit for determining whether to repaint, which was described in the first embodiment. That is, the reception unit 105 may receive the selection for each unit of road markings having a meaning related to traffic or for each partial area of the road markings.

[0066] The reception unit 105 may receive the selection for road markings existing at a point on the map specified by the user. Alternatively, the reception unit 105 may receive the selection for an area of the road surface image specified by the user.

[0067] For example, the reception unit 105 receives the selection of the road surface marking in response to a click on the screen by the user. The user refers to the road surface image displayed for the selected road surface marking and determines whether to repaint the road surface marking. Then, the user may determine not to repaint the road surface marking that has been determined to be repainted. Also, the user may determine to repaint the road surface marking that has been determined not to be repainted.

[0068] The determination unit 102 changes the determination of whether to repaint the road surface marking in response to the designation of the road surface marking to be repainted by the user. For example, the determination unit 102 changes the determination in response to an instruction from the user.

[0069] The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road surface marking based on the change in the determination. Further, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the price of the paint used for repainting. For example, the calculation unit 103 calculates the price of the paint used for repainting by multiplying the amount of paint used for repainting by the price of the paint per unit amount.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the management support system 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0071] The detection unit 101 detects the road surface marking and the wear degree of the road surface marking from the road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface (step S21). The detection unit 101 delivers the detected road surface marking and the wear degree of the road surface marking to the determination unit 102.

[0072] The determination unit 102 determines whether to repaint the road surface marking based on the wear degree of the road surface marking (step S22). The determination unit 102 notifies the calculation unit 103 and the display control unit 104 of the road surface marking that has been determined to be repainted.

[0073] The display control unit 104 causes the determination of whether to repaint the road surface marking to be displayed on the display (step S23). Further, the reception unit 105 receives the selection of the road surface marking from the user (step S24). In step S24, the reception unit 105 may receive an instruction from the user to change the determination of whether to repaint the road surface marking.

[0074] Next, according to the result of receiving the selection in step S24, the determination unit 102 changes the determination as to whether to repaint the road surface markings (step S25). After step S25, the display control unit 104 may display the result of determining whether to repaint the road surface markings based on the change in the determination.

[0075] The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road surface markings based on the area of the road surface markings determined to be repainted (step S26). After step S26, the display control unit 104 may display the calculated amount of paint on the display. Also, in step S26, the calculation unit 103 may calculate the price of the paint used for repainting.

[0076] The calculation unit 103 may also calculate the amount of paint used after step S22 and before step S24. That is, the calculation unit 103 may recalculate the amount of paint according to the change in step S26.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the management support system 100 changes the determination as to whether to repaint the road surface markings. Therefore, the user can adjust the road surface markings to be repainted according to the budget and the degree of wear, and then grasp the Paint amount used.

[0078] [Modification Example] The embodiments are not limited to the above-described examples and can be variously modified. The management support system 100 according to each of the above embodiments can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0079] The determination unit 102 may further determine the road surface markings to be repainted based on the budget. The criteria for determining whether to repaint the road surface markings may be set according to the budget.

[0080] For example, when the amount of paint calculated by the calculation unit 103 exceeds a preset budget, the wear degree criterion for determining repainting may be changed to be higher. The determination unit 102 may redetermine the road surface markings to be repainted based on the changed criterion.

[0081] The determination unit 102 may determine the priority for the road surface markings determined to be repainted. The priority indicates the order in which the user should perform the repainting work. The display control unit 104 may display the priority of the road surface markings.

[0082] The priority may be determined based on the traffic conditions related to the road. The traffic conditions related to the road include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of traffic accidents or traffic violations, traffic volume, and pedestrian volume. For example, the priority of the road surface markings drawn on a road with a large traffic volume is determined to be high.

[0083] Alternatively, the determination unit 102 may first determine the priority and then determine the road surface markings to be repainted based on the determined priority. When a budget is set, for example, based on the price of paint per unit amount, the area of the road surface markings that can be repainted within the budget can be calculated. Therefore, the determination unit 102 may determine the range that can be repainted with the amount of paint within the budget in the order of high priority as the road surface markings to be repainted.

[0084] The determination unit 102 may determine whether to repaint the road surface markings detected from the road surface included in a predetermined area. The range of the predetermined area is determined as appropriate. For example, the range under the jurisdiction of the user for repainting may be determined as the predetermined area. Also, the range selected by the user on the map may be determined as the predetermined area. The display control unit 104 provided in the management support system 100 displays a map. The reception unit 105 may receive a selection of whether to determine whether to repaint the road surface markings for any range of the map. The reception unit 105 may list-display the names of a plurality of predetermined areas and receive a selection of whether to determine whether to repaint the road surface markings for any of the list-displayed areas.

[0085] The calculation unit 103 calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings within the determined predetermined area.

[0086] [Hardware Configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the management support system 100 represents a functional unit block. Some or all of the components of the management support system 100 may be realized by any combination of the computer 500 and the program.

[0087] The detection unit 101, the determination unit 102, the calculation unit 103, the display control unit 104, and the reception unit 105 may be realized by a single device. Alternatively, the detection unit 101, the determination unit 102, the calculation unit 103, the display control unit 104, and the reception unit 105 may be realized by a plurality of devices.

[0088] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer 500. Referring to FIG. 9, the computer 500 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0089] The program 504 includes instructions for realizing each function of the management support system 100. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, the RAM 503, or the storage device 505. The CPU 501 realizes each function of the management support system 100 by executing the instructions included in the program 504. For example, when the CPU 501 of the management support system 100 executes the instructions included in the program 504, the functions of the management support system 100 are realized. Also, the RAM 503 may store data processed in each function of the management support system 100. For example, a road surface image may be stored in the RAM 503 of the computer 500.

[0090] The drive device 507 reads and writes to the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with a communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and accepts input of information from a user or the like. The output device 510 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to a user or the like. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. Note that the program 504 may be supplied to the CPU 501 via a communication network, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the CPU 501.

[0091] Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0092] There are various modifications to the method of realizing the management support system 100. For example, the management support system 100 may be realized by an arbitrary combination of different computers and programs for each component. Also, a plurality of components included in the management support system 100 may be realized by an arbitrary combination of one computer and a program.

[0093] Also, some or all of the components of the management support system 100 may be realized by a general-purpose or dedicated circuitry including a processor or the like, or a combination thereof. These circuits may be constituted by a single chip, or may be constituted by a plurality of chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of the management support system 100 may be realized by a combination of the above-described circuits or the like and a program.

[0094] Also, when some or all of the components of the management support system 100 are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be centrally arranged or may be distributed.

[0095] Further, at least a part of the management support system 100 may be provided in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service). That is, at least a part of the functions for realizing the management support system 100 may be executed by software executed via a network.

[0096] As described above, the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the configurations in each embodiment can be combined with each other as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0097] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited thereto.

[0098] [Appendix 1] Detection means for detecting a road surface marking and the degree of wear of the road surface marking from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface; Determination means for determining whether to repaint the road surface marking based on the degree of wear of the road surface marking; Calculation means for calculating the amount of paint used for repainting the road surface marking based on the road surface marking determined to be repainted; A management support system comprising the above.

[0099] [Appendix 2] Further comprising display control means for displaying the area of the road surface marking determined to be repainted The management support system according to Appendix 1.

[0100] [Appendix 3] The display control means superimposes a display indicating the area of the road surface marking determined to be repainted on the road surface image The management support system according to Appendix 2.

[0101] [Appendix 4] The detection means detects the color of the road marking, The calculation means calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking for each color. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0102] [Appendix 5] The determination means determines whether to repaint each partial area of the road marking. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0103] [Appendix 6] The determination means determines the priority of repainting the road marking. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0104] [Appendix 7] The determination means further determines the road marking to be repainted based on the budget. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6.

[0105] [Appendix 8] The determination means further determines the road marking to be repainted based on the priority. The management support system according to Appendix 7.

[0106] [Appendix 9] For the road marking detected from the road surface included in the predetermined area, the determination means determines whether to repaint the road marking. The calculation means calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking within the predetermined area. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8.

[0107] [Appendix 10] The determination means changes the determination of whether to repaint the road marking according to the designation of the road marking to be repainted by the user. The management support system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9.

[0108] [Appendix 11] Detect road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, Based on the degree of wear of the road markings, determine whether to repaint the road markings, Calculate the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted Management support method.

[0109] [Appendix 12] Detect road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, Based on the degree of wear of the road markings, determine whether to repaint the road markings, Calculate the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted A recording medium that non-temporarily records a program for causing a computer to execute processing.

Explanation of symbols

[0110] 100 Management support system 101 Detection unit 102 Decision unit 103 Calculation unit 104 Display control unit 105 Reception unit 10 Vehicle 20 Display 30 Communication network 40 Database

Claims

1. Detection means for detecting road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface; Determination means for determining whether to repaint the road markings by comparing the degree of wear of the road markings with a threshold value; Calculation means for calculating the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted; Display control means for displaying the area of the road markings determined to be repainted A management support system comprising.

2. The display control means displays the calculated amount of paint. The management support system according to Claim 1.

3. The display control means superimposes a display indicating the area of the road markings determined to be repainted on the road surface image. The management support system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The detection means detects the color of the road markings, The calculation means calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings for each color. The management support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The determination means determines whether to repaint for each partial area of the road markings. The management support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The determination means determines the priority of repainting the road markings. The management support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The calculation means calculates the price of the paint used for repainting based on the calculated amount of paint and the price of the paint per unit amount, The determination means further compares the calculated price of the paint with a preset budget for repainting, changes the threshold value according to the comparison result, and compares the degree of wear with the changed threshold value to determine whether to repaint the road markings. The management support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The determination means changes the determination of whether to repaint the road markings according to the designation of the road markings to be repainted by the user. The management support system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer, Detects road markings and the degree of wear of the road markings from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, Determines whether to repaint the road markings by comparing the degree of wear of the road markings with a threshold value, Calculates the amount of paint used for repainting the road markings based on the road markings determined to be repainted, Display the area of the road marking determined to be repainted Management support method

10. Detect a road marking and the wear degree of the road marking from a road surface image obtained by imaging the road surface, Determine whether to repaint the road marking by comparing the wear degree of the road marking with a threshold value, Calculate the amount of paint used for repainting the road marking based on the road marking determined to be repainted, Display the area of the road marking determined to be repainted A program for causing a computer to execute the process

Images