Automatic Traffic Signs and Panels Inspection System Using Computer Vision

González, Álvaro; Garrido, Miguel Ángel G.; Llorca, David F.; Gavilán, Miguel; Fernández, José Pablo; Alcantarilla, Pablo F.; Parra, Ignacio; Herranz, Fernando; Bergasa, Luis M.; Sotelo, Miguel Ángel; Revenga, Pedro

Year: 2011

Type of Publication: Article

Keywords: VISUALISE; automatic inspection system; automatic traffic signs; computer vision techniques; conventional driving speeds; decision making; driver safety; inspection tasks; panels inspection system; planning; public works; road maintenance; road safety; road signaling

Journal: Intelligent Transportation Systems, IEEE Transactions on

Volume: 12

Number: 2

Pages: 485 -499

Month: june

ISSN: 1524-9050

DOI: 10.1109/TITS.2010.2098029

Abstract:

Computer vision techniques applied to systems used on road maintenance, which are related either to traffic signs or to the road itself, are playing a major role in many countries because of the higher investment on public works of this kind. These systems are able to collect a wide range of information automatically and quickly, with the aim of improving road safety. In this context, the correct visibility of traffic signs and panels is vital for the safety of drivers. This paper describes an approach to the VISUAL Inspection of Signs and panEls ( #x201C;VISUALISE #x201D;), which is an automatic inspection system, mounted onboard a vehicle, which performs inspection tasks at conventional driving speeds. VISUALISE allows for an improvement in the awareness of the road signaling state, supporting planning and decision making on the administration's and infrastructure operators' side. A description of the main computer vision techniques and some experimental results obtained from thousands of kilometers are presented. Finally, the conclusions of the system are described.