UAV Video Tracking for Continuous Ground Movement Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting vehicular movement data are incomplete, discontinuous in time and space, and costly, making it difficult to accurately assess and manage transportation infrastructure needs.
Innovation Solution
Employing video camera-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect and process video imagery, creating a continuous mosaic of ground traffic that tracks vehicle movements with machine vision, providing comprehensive and cost-effective data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional field surveys or video cameras are used to collect trip data, then the dataset is incomplete and discontinuous in time and space, but the cost of data surveys becomes a major budget component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level data collection to aerial drone-based collection, adding a vertical dimension to the monitoring system. This dimensional change enables simultaneous coverage of multiple intersections and continuous tracking of vehicles throughout their entire trip routes, achieving complete and continuous data collection while reducing survey costs through automated aerial imaging and machine vision processing.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple separated intersection counts are performed to analyze wider study areas, then the dataset is discontinuous in space and time, but the complexity of balancing and assuming data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete intersection counting operations into a single integrated aerial monitoring system. By using drones to capture images across entire study areas and applying machine vision to track vehicles continuously from origin to destination, the system combines what were previously separate, discontinuous data sources into one complete, continuous dataset, eliminating the need for complex balancing and assumption processes.
3Loss of information
If Origin/Destination surveys are conducted to obtain complete trip information, then the data coverage is comprehensive, but the cost becomes significantly expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of interviewing people (O/D surveys) with an automated optical system using aerial drones and machine vision. The drone captures images of the entire study area, and machine vision algorithms automatically extract origin, destination, route, and vehicle classification information, providing complete trip information at a fraction of the cost of manual surveys.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention employs video camera-equipped, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect video imagery from a predefined study area on the ground, where vehicles are performing trips. The video imagery is then processed using machine vision to extract vehicle trajectory information, which is then organized and manipulated for presentation in 5 a user-facing display when required. In contrast with the state of the art data procurement technologies, the resulting data features continuity in both time and space, reflects 100% of the trips and has a significantly lower cost.