Traffic monitoring using image processing : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Information and Telecommunications Engineering at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Traffic monitoring involves the collection of data describing the characteristics of vehicles and their movements. Such data may be used for automatic tolls, congestion and incident detection, law enforcement, and road capacity planning etc. With the recent advances in Computer Vision technology, videos can be analysed automatically and relevant information can be extracted for particular applications. Automatic surveillance using video cameras with image processing technique is becoming a powerful and useful technology for traffic monitoring. In this research project, a video image processing system that has the potential to be developed for real-time application is developed for traffic monitoring including vehicle tracking, counting, and classification. A heuristic approach is applied in developing this system. The system is divided into several parts, and several different functional components have been built and tested using some traffic video sequences. Evaluations are carried out to show that this system is robust and can be developed towards real-time applications

A Framework for Automatic Lecturer's Attendance System Using Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) Technology

Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) technology can be used to significantly improve the efficiency of lecturer's attendance system by providing the capability of automatic identification and data capture. This technology poses many new challenges on current data management systems. AVI data are time-dependent, dynamically changing, in large volumes, and carry implicit semantics. Radio frequency identification (RFID) data management systems need to effectively support such large scale temporal data created by RFID applications. These systems need to have an explicit temporal data model for RFID data to support tracking and monitoring attendance. In addition, the university needs to have an automatic method to transport data from AVI reader to database. This research proposed a framework for Automatic lecturer's Attendance system using AVI technology. A prototype has been developed to test the framework

Automatic Vehicle Accident Detection Based on GSM System

The evolution of technology has increased the rate of traffic accidents that occurs frequently causing loss of lifeand property. Therefore, the automatic traffic monitoring system gradually attracted the attention of researchers in improvingtraffic safety through the field of intelligent transport systems. In this paper, a cost-effective approach based on GSM systemfor automatic traffic incident detection is proposed. This paper provides an optimal solution to reduce the death rate by usingthe vibration sensor and GSM system; the implementation system is based on hardware (circuits) and software to build agraphical user interface (GUI) using LabView TM to process the data. Sensors are installed into the vehicles on each side ofthe vehicle. An SMS will be sent to the user after the accident. This system will assist in search and rescue vehicle involved inthe accident

The psychology of driving automation: A discussion with Professor Don Norman

Introducing automation into automobiles had inevitable consequences for the driver and driving. Systems that automate longitudinal and lateral vehicle control may reduce the workload of the driver. This raises questions of what the driver is able to do with this 'spare' attentional capacity. Research in our laboratory suggests that there is unlikely to be any spare capacity because the attentional resources are not 'fixed'. Rather, the resources are inextricably linked to task demand. This paper presents some of the arguments for considering the psychological aspects of the driver when designing automation into automobiles. The arguments are presented in a conversation format, based on discussions with Professor Don Norman. Extracts from relevant papers to support the arguments are presented

Road traffic pollution monitoring and modelling tools and the UK national air quality strategy.

This paper provides an assessment of the tools required to fulfil the air quality management role now expected of local authorities within the UK. The use of a range of pollution monitoring tools in assessing air quality is discussed and illustrated with evidence from a number of previous studies of urban background and roadside pollution monitoring in Leicester. A number of approaches to pollution modelling currently available for deployment are examined. Subsequently, the modelling and monitoring tools are assessed against the requirements of Local Authorities establishing Air Quality Management Areas. Whilst the paper examines UK based policy, the study is of wider international interest

Frequency Domain Modeling of SAW Devices

New SAW sensors for integrated vehicle health monitoring of aerospace vehicles are being investigated. SAW technology is low cost, rugged, lightweight, and extremely low power. However, the lack of design tools for MEMS devices in general, and for Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices specifically, has led to the development of tools that will enable integrated design, modeling, simulation, analysis and automatic layout generation of SAW devices. A frequency domain model has been created. The model is mainly first order, but it includes second order effects from triple transit echoes. This paper presents the model and results from the model for a SAW delay line device