Role of aerial imagery in traffic monitoring

VTT Information Technology, together with the City of Helsinki, has been developing a traffic monitoring method based on digital aerial imagery. It is included in a two-year ENVIMON-project (Environment monitoring using earth observation) as one of the key applications of earth observation (EO-) data in the near future. The idea is to use a conventional digital video camera for imaging and a software package compatible with a modem PC for image processing and data extraction. Algorithms for image stabilisation, moving object detection and object tracking throughout the image sequence have been compiled and traffic parameters, ie vehicles and their speeds, can be calculated from each sequence and the information stored in GIS (Geographic Information System) for later analysis. Algorithm and software development within the ENVIMON-project will continue until spring 2006. The target is a general purpose program applicable in various fields of traffic monitoring and which can be adapted for both moving and static camera platforms.