The invention discloses a multi-characteristic multi-model pedestrian detection method, comprising steps of using an ICF+Adaboost classifier A to process a video frame RGB image, using a foreground-mask-based pedestrian detection classifier to process the foreground mask, combining results of the two classifiers, dividing the results into a high confidence level pedestrian detection result and a low confidence level pedestrian detection result according to a threshold value, using an ICF+Adaboost classifier B and a DPM pedestrian detection classifier to perform respective detection on the low confidence level pedestrian detection result, combining detection results of the two classifiers, using a detection score, an overlapping ratio, a width-height ratio, a classifier sequence number and a foreground ratio of each detected pedestrian as characteristic vectors, inputting the characteristic vectors into a ruling SVM to determine whether the detected pedestrian is correct pedestrian detection, outputting a new pedestrian detection result and combining the new pedestrian detection result and the high confidence level pedestrian detection result into a set as a final detection result. The multi-characteristic multi-model pedestrian detection method effectively solves the problem in the prior art that the misjudgment rate is high, and improves the detection rate.