Application of Aerial Video for Traffic Flow Monitoring and Management

A limitation of most traditional methods of traffic data collection is that they rely on techniques that are strictly local in nature. Airborne sensors can provide sufficient resolution to sense vehicle locations and movements across broader spatial and temporal scales. Based on two recent "proof-of-concept" experiments, this paper describes the logistics involved in collecting and analyzing aerial video data, a general method for analysis of traffic data, specific methods for travel time and delay estimation, and an algorithm for automated vehicle tracking. Digital video, global positioning systems (GPS), and automated image processing are used to improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the data collection and reduction.