Citation

Tian Z, Kyte M, Liu H. ITE J. 2009; 79(1): 42-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although video detection systems are useful in automating traffic data collection, they do have limitations. This article describes a unique use of video detection systems to track main-street through vehicles and measure speeds at two-way, stop-controlled (TWSC) intersections. The video tracking program developed in this study consists of a recommended detector layout and a vehicle-tracking algorithm that was developed using the basic time events recorded by a video detection system. Field tests were conducted to verify the accuracy of vehicle tracking and volume counts. Comparisons were made on speed measurements obtained using the video detection system application and a radar gun. The accuracy of vehicle tracking was about 87% under a worst-case scenario with an unfavorable departing view. Nearly identical speeds were obtained between the video detection system and the radar gun. These findings suggest that the vehicle tracking application overcame shortcomings of existing commercial video detection systems in tracking vehicle movements and measuring speeds at TWSC intersections.