MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION IN THE FUNCTION OF MAKING BETTER TRAFFIC ANALYSIS OF FORENSIC TRAFFIC EXPERTS

Even though the European roads are among the safest in the world, the number of road accidents is still a cause for concern. To reduce their number and consequences, many studies are being conducted, including knowledge of the factors that influence the occurrence of accidents. Forensic traffic experts are also part of the treatment of traffic accidents, and they often must base their conclusions on proven incomplete studies of data collected by police officers. In some cases, traffic accident data are still collected in classical ways and with classical measuring equipment. This is often a source of error. This paper defines these errors and offers solutions that are shown primarily through data capture using 3D scanners and photogrammetry. In this way, we can perfectly recreate the situation in the event of a traffic accident through 3D models, thus eliminating many shortcomings of police drawings and records. The article also proposes a central database of traffic accidents as an additional solution to gain a deeper insight into the causes and consequences of traffic accidents

Reconstrução de imagem 3D após acidente de trânsito

In the investigation of a road traffic accident, it is crucial to obtain a sufficiently detailed information model of the scene. In recent years, the study of digital 3D reconstruction has seen great progress and has been applied to many fields, for its effectiveness in correctly capturing realworld data. The process involves mapping a physical space to a set of points in a digital space, forming a point cloud mesh. This mesh is then processed and transformed into other 3D products, such as triangular models and textures. There are multiple approaches to obtain the point cloud data, most notably, based on laser-scanning, like LiDAR. While these techniques yield very accurate results, they are typically very expensive, lengthy and difficult to use. In traffic accident investigation, it is necessary, not only to obtain an accurate model of the scene, but also to do so as quickly as possible, in order to minimise the disruption of regular traffic. Photogrammtery is a 3D reconstruction technique which obtains spatial information from photographic images. A recent application of photogrammetry uses drones to acquire these images. Drones can be used to fly over an area and capture images from a wide variety of vantage points and different angles. Combined with their relatively low cost and great flexibility, this makes them ideal for data collection and monitoring terrain with difficult access. Moreover, a drone can survey a large area very quickly, without the need to set up control stations as is the case with most LiDAR approaches. This work aims to analyse the process of 3D reconstruction from a set images of real traffic accidents acquired by drone. The various stages of generating 3D products, such as point clouds and triangular meshes are studied, in order to obtain a reliable representation of the accident scenes. For this purpose, commercial and other presently used software and algorithms are tested and compared in the generation of these 3D representations as well as which factors and generation parameters have the greatest influence in the quality of the final products.Na investigação de acidentes de trânsito rodoviário, a obtenção de um modelo de informação suficientemente detalhado do local é crucial. Nos últimos anos, tem havido um grande progresso no estudo de reconstrução digital 3D e tem sido aplicada a vários campos, pela sua eficácia na correcta captura de dados do mundo real. O processo involve o mapeamento de um espaço físico para um conjunto de pontos num espaço digital, resultando numa nuvem de pontos. Esta nuvem pode ser, então, processada e transformada noutros produtos 3D como modelos triangulares e texturas. Existem várias abordagens à obtenção de uma nuvem de pontos, tais como baseadas em digitalização a laser, como LiDAR. Apesar destas técnicas conseguirem obter resultados muito apurados, têm associado, tipicamente, elevados requisitos de tempo e custo, bem como dificuldade de uso. Numa investigação de um acidente de trânsito, é necessário, não só a obtenção de um modelo correcto do espaço, mas também fazê-lo o mais rápido possível, de modo a causar o mínimo distúrbio no trânsito regular. A fotogrametria é uma técnica de reconstrução 3D, que obtém informação espacial a partir de imagens fotográficas. Uma recente aplicação da fotogrametria faz uso de drones para a captura das imagens. Drones podem ser usados para sobrevoar uma área enquanto capturam imagens de várias posições e ângulos diferentes. Aliado ao seu relativo baixo custo e grande flexibilidade, isto torna-os ideais para o recolhimento de dados e monitorização de terrenos de difícil acesso. Para além disso, um drone pode percorrer uma grande área em tempo reduzido, sem a necessidade de montar postos de controlo, como é o caso de maior parte das técnicas LiDAR. Este trabalho tem por objectivo analisar o processo de reconstrucção 3D a partir de um conjunto de imagens de acidentes reais obtidas por drones. As várias etapas da geração de produtos 3D, como nuvens de pontos e modelos triangulares são estudadas, de modo a obter uma correcta representação dos acidentes. Para o efeito, são testados e comparados programas e algoritmos comerciais e usados actualmente, bem como os principais factores e parâmetros que mais influenciam a qualidade dos resultados finais.Mestrado em Engenharia de Computadores e Telemátic

Real-world impacts of drone implementation in data collection of fatal accidents

The objective of this study was to analyze the use of drones and data collected in fatal accident investigations in accident scenes in Austin, Texas. The study compares data pre and post drones being used by the police officers of the Austin Police Department. The study presents a new way to collect evidence for fatal vehicle accidents and the attempts to apply the technology in the real world setting of vehicle investigations. The research findings are intended to be used by other municipalities before they implement the technology for their traffic accident investigations.The datasets used in this study came directly from the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) reports filed by officers in the Austin Police Department. The size of data files came from additional data sources in the records of fatal accident scenes. Time sequences and data file sizes worked to identify how much time was needed for a police officer to establish a full investigation with a drone while working a fatality and helps municipalities understand the data storage requirements for this type of data collection technique.The study found that when drones are introduced to fatal accident investigations, they increase the duration of the time needed to investigate a scene. The use of drones also increases the use of data for the storage of imaging taken by the drone in this type of case files. Depending on the priorities of a municipality, time and data storage increases, could impact the decision to implement drones as a means to collect data in the field for fatal vehicle accidents.Small sample size from a single municipality limits inference that could be drawn from results to other cities of the same size and demographic make-up. The study, does however, lead to providing beneficial information on potential impacts of drones in police investigation settings. The data can be used by policy makers to balance the value that drones bring with the burden of their implementation

Spatial Data Performance Test of Mid-cost UAS with Direct Georeferencing

Recent development of lightweight and small size multi-frequency GNSS receivers allows determination of the precise position of the moving platform and spatial data acquisition without the need for setting up and measuring of ground control points. The main advantage of this approach is a higher operational capacity with reduced time and cost of field measurement. This relates to fieldwork in inaccessible areas with demanding terrain configuration. In this paper development and use of a UAS with direct georeferencing of camera sensor for spatial data acquisition is described, and the possibility of 3D scene reconstruction based on the precise position of the camera with predetermined interior parameters is examined. Modern computer vision-based SfM photogrammetry algorithms are used for determining attitude parameters and reconstruction of the scene. For that purpose, several tests on two different test fields were performed using various system parameters for collecting and analysis of several spatial data sets. The presented results demonstrate a satisfactory accuracy (3.1 cm planar and 6.4 cm spatial) of the system for various applications in geodesy

Análisis comparativo del levantamiento del terreno mediante UAS y topografía clásica en proyectos de trazado de carreteras

Nowadays, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) as a technologycal alternative to classical topographic surveys has experienced great progress in all areas of engineering. While being cost-effective, they allow a rapid and efficient generation of three main photogrammetric products: cloud points, digital terrain models and orthophotos. To evaluate the effectiveness of UAS in the field of civil engineering, a comparison between a classic topographic survey and an UAS survey is presented, with the assumption that both surveys will give the basic topographic data necessary to carry out a highway construction project. The experimental results reveal that the combined use of UAS data and classical topography provides a successful generation of the products.La incorporación de vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAS) como alternativa a los levantamientos topográficos clásicos ha experimentado en estos últimos años un gran avance en todos los ámbitos de la ingeniería, dado que permiten una rápida y eficaz generación de diferentes productos fotogramétricos (nube de puntos, modelo digital del terreno, ortofotos), a la vez que favorecen una reducción de los costes. Para demostrar las posibilidades que nos ofrecen los UAS en el ámbito de la ingeniería civil, se presenta aquí un estudio en el que se comparan los resultados obtenidos entre un levantamiento topográfico clásico y otro efectuado con estos medios aéreos, que será la base topográfica que permita realizar el proyecto de construcción de una carretera. Los resultados experimentales revelan que el uso combinado de datos UAS y topografía clásica proporcionan una generación exitosa de los productos

Successful Approaches for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by Surface Transportation Agencies

The past decade has seen ever-increasing attention and resources dedicated to the application and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). Beginning with issuance of special airworthiness certificates in the experimental category for unmanned aircraft in 2007, up to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and creation of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §107 and §101, the complexity and breadth of applications for UAS technology have flourished. Recognizing the interest and potential benefits to the surface transportation community the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) commissioned Scan 17-01 to accelerate beneficial innovation by facilitating information sharing and technology exchange among the states and other transportation agencies. Results from a desk scan, amplifying questions, and a peer exchange workshop produced conclusions and recommendations in seven topic areas for transportation agencies to consider when getting started using a UAS

Utilização de veículos aéreos não tripulados no registo e investigação de acidentes de viação: viabilidade e implicações

O uso de Veículos Aéreos Não Tripulados (VANT, vulgarmente denominados por drones), de baixo peso e de pequenas dimensões, apresenta-se com grande potencial para substituir, na grande maioria das situações, as metodologias atualmente utilizadas pelas forças de segurança no registo e investigação dos acidentes de viação. O presente artigo tem como objetivo compilar os resultados dos vários estudos já efetuados sobre a utilização de VANT no registo e na investigação de acidentes de viação, evidenciando o projeto-piloto que está a ser desenvolvido pela Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), em parceria com a Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR), e que visa a Simplificação de Levantamento de Informação de Acidentes de Viação (SLIAV). A maior parte desta nova metodologia é automatizada, permitindo a preservação da informação do acidente de viação para situações futuras de análise, nomeadamente, para resolução de litígios (e.g. Companhias de Seguros, Tribunais), com implicações muito positivas nos resultados finais. Trata-se, sem dúvida, de uma metodologia inovadora cujo uso permitirá, de forma mais rápida, rigorosa e segura, reconstituir e documentar o acidente, reduzindo, assim, a intervenção humana e os erros que lhe estão associados.The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, commonly called drones), with low weight and small dimensions, has great potential to replace, in many situations, the methodologies currently used by security forces in the registry and investigation of road accidents. The present article aims at compiling the results of the various studies performed using UAVs in the registry and investigation of road accidents, emphasizing the pilot project being developed by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), in partnership with the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), which aims to simplify the Road Accident Information Survey (SLIAV). The largest part of this new methodology is automated, allowing the preservation of the traffic accident data to be used later for future analysis, namely for litigation resolution (e.g. Insurance Companies, Court), with positive implications in the final results. This is undoubtedly an innovative methodology, the use of which will allow for a faster, more rigorous and safer way to reconstruct and document the accident, thus reducing human intervention and the associated errors.N/

Feature Papers of Drones - Volume II

[EN] The present book is divided into two volumes (Volume I: articles 1–23, and Volume II: articles 24–54) which compile the articles and communications submitted to the Topical Collection ”Feature Papers of Drones” during the years 2020 to 2022 describing novel or new cutting-edge designs, developments, and/or applications of unmanned vehicles (drones). Articles 24–41 are focused on drone applications, but emphasize two types: firstly, those related to agriculture and forestry (articles 24–35) where the number of applications of drones dominates all other possible applications. These articles review the latest research and future directions for precision agriculture, vegetation monitoring, change monitoring, forestry management, and forest fires. Secondly, articles 36–41 addresses the water and marine application of drones for ecological and conservation-related applications with emphasis on the monitoring of water resources and habitat monitoring. Finally, articles 42–54 looks at just a few of the huge variety of potential applications of civil drones from different points of view, including the following: the social acceptance of drone operations in urban areas or their influential factors; 3D reconstruction applications; sensor technologies to either improve the performance of existing applications or to open up new working areas; and machine and deep learning development

Feature Papers of Drones - Volume I

[EN] The present book is divided into two volumes (Volume I: articles 1–23, and Volume II: articles 24–54) which compile the articles and communications submitted to the Topical Collection ”Feature Papers of Drones” during the years 2020 to 2022 describing novel or new cutting-edge designs, developments, and/or applications of unmanned vehicles (drones). Articles 1–8 are devoted to the developments of drone design, where new concepts and modeling strategies as well as effective designs that improve drone stability and autonomy are introduced. Articles 9–16 focus on the communication aspects of drones as effective strategies for smooth deployment and efficient functioning are required. Therefore, several developments that aim to optimize performance and security are presented. In this regard, one of the most directly related topics is drone swarms, not only in terms of communication but also human-swarm interaction and their applications for science missions, surveillance, and disaster rescue operations. To conclude with the volume I related to drone improvements, articles 17–23 discusses the advancements associated with autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and enhanced flight plannin