3D Optical LIDAR System for Dense Traffic Vehicle Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic detection systems face challenges in accurately detecting the presence, position, lane, direction, and speed of vehicles, especially in dense traffic conditions, due to limitations in lateral resolution and the ability to associate speed measurements with specific vehicles, which affects reliability in traffic management and enforcement applications.
Innovation Solution
A 3D optical system using a 3D emitter and receiver with a wide field of view, emitting short light pulses and acquiring digital full-waveform LIDAR traces to detect and track vehicles, combined with a 2D image sensor for vehicle identification, allowing for simultaneous detection and characterization of multiple vehicles with high accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If radar technology is used for speed measurement, then speed measurement capability is improved, but lateral resolution deteriorates making it difficult to associate speed measurements with specific vehicles in dense traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional radar's single-dimensional speed measurement to a multi-dimensional approach by integrating LIDAR's spatial positioning capabilities (x, y, z coordinates) with speed measurement. This allows the system to measure both the speed and precise lateral position of vehicles, enabling accurate association of speed data with specific vehicles even in dense traffic conditions where multiple vehicles are present.
2Reliability
If intrusive detectors such as inductive loop detectors are used, then vehicle presence detection is improved, but traffic flow disruption during installation and maintenance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces intrusive mechanical detectors (inductive loop detectors that require cutting roads and embedding loops) with non-intrusive optical detection systems (LIDAR and camera-based detectors). These optical systems can be installed on existing infrastructure such as poles or overhead structures, eliminating the need to disrupt traffic flow during installation and maintenance while maintaining reliable vehicle presence detection capabilities.
3Loss of information
If cameras with video processing are used, then vehicle identification capability is improved, but speed measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the strengths of different detection technologies by combining LIDAR's accurate speed measurement and spatial positioning capabilities with camera systems' vehicle identification and classification capabilities. The LIDAR component provides precise speed and position data, while the camera component captures visual information for vehicle identification, license plate recognition, and classification. This integrated approach achieves both accurate speed measurement and effective vehicle identification simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable and accurate detection and tracking of vehicles, reducing errors in traffic management and enforcement by effectively associating speed measurements with specific vehicles, even in dense traffic conditions, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of traffic monitoring and enforcement.
Implementation Method 1
an active three-dimensional sensor based on the time-of-flight ranging principle
Implementation Method 2
acquiring an individual digital full-waveform LIDAR trace for each detection channel
Implementation Method 3
receiving a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the vehicles in the 3D detection zone
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tracking and characterizing a plurality of vehicles simultaneously in a traffic control environment, comprising: providing a 3D optical emitter; providing a 3D optical receiver with a wide and deep field of view; driving the 3D optical emitter into emitting short light pulses; receiving a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light, thereby acquiring an individual digital full-waveform LIDAR trace for each detection channel of the 3D optical receiver; using the individual digital full-waveform LIDAR trace and the emitted light waveform, detecting a presence of a plurality of vehicles, a position of at least part of each vehicle and a time at which the position is detected; assigning a unique identifier to each vehicle; repeating the steps of driving, receiving, acquiring and detecting, at a predetermined frequency; tracking and recording an updated position of each vehicle and an updated time at which the updated position is detected.