Road Snow Surface Detection for Snow Removal Priority Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to determine priority points for snow removal on roads effectively.

Innovation Solution

A snow removal support system that acquires images and measurement data from vehicles, identifies the snow surface state, estimates priority of snow removal based on this data, and outputs the results for informed decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If patrol by vehicle is used to grasp snow surface state, then the road manager can obtain snow surface information, but it becomes difficult to determine priority points for snow removal efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow surface state detection accuracyVSAvoidsnow removal priority determination efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual patrol and visual inspection with automated image recognition technology. Cameras mounted on vehicles capture snow surface images, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze snow accumulation depth and distribution, eliminating the need for manual assessment while improving determination efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies of the snow surface through photography. Multiple images are taken from different positions and angles, then processed to generate accurate representations of snow depth and distribution, enabling objective measurement without direct human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Area of stationary object

If satellite images are used to calculate snow amount, then large area coverage is achieved, but difficulty in determining specific priority points remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidsnow removal priority determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the road network into multiple segments and uses multiple vehicles to capture images of different sections. Each vehicle independently collects and processes images for its specific route, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining detailed analysis capability for each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional satellite imagery to three-dimensional snow depth measurement by capturing images from multiple angles and positions along the road. This enables accurate determination of snow accumulation depth and volume at specific locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260065668A1Snow removal support system, snow removal support method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 NEC CORP

AI summary

This snow removal support system comprises an acquisition unit, an identification unit, an estimation unit and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires an image with depicts a road on which snow has accumulated, and measurement data which measures the state of travel of a vehicle traveling the road on which snow has accumulated. The identification unit identifies the state of the snow surface on the basis of the image which depicts the road on which snow has accumulated. The estimation unit estimates the priority for snow removal at each point along the road on the basis of the identified snow surface state and the measurement data. The output unit outputs the estimated snow removal priority.