Tailgating Detection Using Single Camera and Edge AI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tailgating detection systems are ineffective in high-speed environments due to the need for multiple synchronized cameras, legal speed limitations, and practical installation constraints, failing to accurately detect and record tailgating events across multiple lanes.
Innovation Solution
A tailgating detection system utilizing a single monocular camera and an embedded edge computing device mounted on a patrol vehicle, which captures images of vehicles ahead and uses AI models, such as 3D convolutional neural networks with masked attention, to estimate vehicle speeds and detect tailgating events by determining safe distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used for tailgating detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical approach of using multiple physical cameras with a computational approach using a single camera combined with AI algorithms. The system uses deep learning models to detect and track vehicles, estimate speeds, and determine distances through image processing rather than relying on multiple synchronized camera systems. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational intelligence resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection accuracy while dramatically reducing device complexity.
2Speed
If patrol vehicle speed is increased to match high-speed traffic, then tailgating detection capability is improved, but legal speed limitations are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the patrol vehicle operates at legal speed limits while using AI-powered image processing to achieve virtual speed matching. The system processes video frames to calculate relative speeds and positions of surrounding vehicles, enabling accurate tailgating detection without the patrol vehicle needing to physically match the speed of high-speed traffic. This intermediary computational method resolves the contradiction between speed capability and legal compliance.
3Device complexity
If single camera is used for tailgating detection, then device complexity is reduced, but speed estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the single-camera system from a limited optical device into a powerful measurement tool by changing the parameters of image processing. The AI model analyzes multiple frames over time, tracking vehicle positions, wheel rotations, and motion patterns to extract speed information. By changing from static image capture to dynamic multi-frame analysis with deep learning, the system achieves accurate speed estimation from a single camera, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgating detection system and method includes a single monocular camera, an embedded computer system for determining a tailgating event based on images captured by the camera, the determining of the tailgating event including detecting and tracking wheels of front and tailgating vehicle candidates and determining respective speeds relative to a speed of a vehicle that the camera is mounted and using frame rate of the camera, a location determining device for determining the location where the tailgating event occurred, and a communication unit for transmitting a notification of the tailgating event including the location where the tailgating event occurred.