Transport is one of the most innovative industries there are. Some innovation is always being made to make transport easier. The ultimate goal is to make traveling as fast, convenient, and safe as possible.
And while we have discovered and advanced many modes of transport over the years, road transport remains one of the most popular, especially over short to medium distances.
We want the ability to hop into a car and get to our destination without traffic jams, at a relatively fast pace, and with very little probability of an accident.
So far, there are two major approaches to smart transportation on roads: vehicle to everything communication and the use of intelligent traffic analytics through vision processing.
This article will take a brief look at traffic analytics as a way of achieving better transportation on roads. Additionally, we’ll look at how analytics from inside the vehicle can be used to achieve the same goal.
Smart Transportation Through Intelligent Traffic Analytics
Road transport authorities are responsible for the implementation of intelligent analytics on roads. Such analytics come with a range of applications, including enhanced law enforcement, parking assistance, and automatic toll collection.
Let’s see how smart traffic analytics is implemented and take a brief look at some of the benefits of using intelligent analytics.
How Intelligent Analytics on Roads Works
To implement intelligent road analytics, road management authorities simply place smart cameras on strategic points on roads.
The intelligent cameras typically have high-definition sensors. These sensors capture high-resolution footage that computers can easily analyze.
The cameras also have processing units that are capable of artificial intelligence tasks, which is what makes them intelligent. These units process incoming footage, analyze it, and give the necessary output, sometimes in the form of real-time alerts.
Edge processing enables all the analysis and decision making to be done without having to communicate to any external server. This is crucial in reducing latency and ensuring that the operations are in real-time.
Applications of Intelligent Traffic Analytics
The analysis of traffic comes with multiple advantages, the major one of which is the promotion of efficient traffic flow. Another advantage is better enforcement of law and order and a resultant increase in overall safety on the roads.
Below is a glance at some of the advantages of intelligent transport on roads through analytics.
Traffic Control
Traffic analytics enables an overview of the state of traffic. For example, the volume of vehicles from one direction could be much more than traffic from other directions.
With this knowledge, adjustments could be made to make traffic flow more efficient. Such enhancements include the alteration of traffic lights to influence the flow of vehicles.
Law Enforcement
With a reliable traffic analytics system, complete with sensors and processing ability, it is easier to enforce the law automatically.
For example, the analytics system can monitor wrong entry violations and detect vehicles that exceed the speed limit. Information about the violation, including the plate number on the offending vehicle, is then sent to law enforcement personnel.
Efficient Parking
Intelligent surveillance on roads makes it easier for drivers to park. For example, it can identify empty parking spots, information which is then relayed to drivers who want to park their vehicles.
An intelligent analytics system can also detect parking violations such as parking in restricted areas.
Automatic Toll Administration
With intelligent analytics on roads, road authorities can implement automatic toll collection. The sensors on roads detect vehicles passing and calculate the toll due. The road authority then uses this information to send invoices to customers.
With high-quality sensors that are capable of sending real-time alerts, road authorities can also implement access control.
ADAS ECU
So far, this article has only shown intelligent analytics as implemented outside the vehicle. Road authorities implement this form of transport management primarily by installing sensors and communication units on roads.
However, smart road transport can also be implemented from the vehicle.
What is ADAS ECU?
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is a component in vehicles that is used to manage electronic functions. Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is a combination of functions that assist the driver by enhancing safety and convenience.
ADAS ECU is the processor unit that is used to implement ADAS functions like parking assistance, lane keep assistance, and forward collision avoidance.
The unit works by receiving data from sensors in the vehicle and analyzing it to make decisions or generate alerts in real time. The data received may be from RGB cameras or other sensors like LiDAR or Radar.
To operate efficiently, the unit has to have a high processing power, capable of handling simultaneous feeds from a host of vehicle sensors. It also has to be fast as there is no room for latency, especially in applications such as collision avoidance and vulnerable road user protection.
Conclusion
Installing intelligent sensor systems on roads can help road authorities better manage traffic flow, administer toll collection, and enforce traffic laws.
We can also promote efficiency and safety on roads by using vehicles that are equipped with ADAS units, which enable functions like vulnerable road user protection and collision avoidance.
