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Enzio Schneider, market manager ITS at Basler, says that improvements in sensor technology and reductions in the cost of imaging equipment is leading to greater use of vision in the traffic sector
A
s varied as the duties of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are, just as varied are the demands
placed on cameras in these applications. Te most diverse variations of camera technology are used here, from comparatively simple access controls, to complex toll control systems in fast-moving highway traffic. Te tasks vary, as do the solutions, ranging from simple, low-cost, basic cameras up to sophisticated cameras with fast frame rates, highly sensitive sensors, and features that ensure extraordinary image quality even under difficult conditions. Which trends and future developments stand out in the market for intelligent traffic systems?
CMOS gains ground High-end traffic applications (number place recognition, enforcement, toll collection) have always placed high demands on the cameras used. Here, the sensors play the central role, requiring high sensitivity as well as low noise production and global shutter technology. For this reason, in the past, CCD sensors were almost exclusively used for this type of application. However, with their advantages came significant disadvantages, such as smearing and blooming. Furthermore, CCD sensors are more expensive. For some years now CMOS sensors have
been improving technologically, to the point of surpassing CCD sensors in many respects. CMOS sensors eliminate the smearing and blooming effects common with CCD sensors. Market availability of large numbers of global shutter sensors, with their higher performance in terms of image noise, also reduces the need for CCD sensors. Moreover, CMOS sensors offer higher frame rates and oſten at a small fraction of the price of CCD sensors. Many providers of traffic solutions face
additional cost pressures based on global competition. In many cases, this issue significantly limits the use of expensive CCD sensors. And finally, due to the anticipated phase-out of many CCD sensors, the trend towards CMOS will continue to accelerate in the future (see article on page 22 for more on the shiſt towards CMOS technology).
prices that can be obtained through mass camera manufacturers such as Basler.
Replacing older technology Cameras are used today in many applications. Due to their reliability and long-term availability, machine vision cameras are especially relevant here. Toll collection and enforcement applications, for example, generate sales that should not be ignored and which justify the use of high- cost industrial cameras. Te increasing presence of machine vision
cameras in several markets – even beyond traditional factory automation – has resulted in a corresponding drop in their price levels, which makes vision cameras attractive even for price-sensitive applications. Tis leads to the total cost of camera-
Flexibility with modularity Even a few years ago, providers of traffic solutions – particularly the manufacturers of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) solutions – could hold their ground in their local markets. Tese solutions usually consist of two cameras or sensors (one monochrome and one colour camera), a processing unit, and backup LED lighting. In many cases, the system design is based on a single-source integrated- system approach to development. However, with
increasing world competition by globally- engaged companies, these solutions are under strong pressure. Tese systems are rigid and inflexible, which makes them difficult to implement on a global level, where they must be adapted to very different regional requirements. For this reason, more manufacturers
Toll collection and enforcement
based systems becoming cheaper than more traditional technology. Vehicle detection applications or cameras are an example of this development; they trigger traffic light systems according to traffic volumes. Te induction loops (ground loops) mostly used for this incur high maintenance costs, as they regularly break, for example, under the burden of seasonally-induced thermal expansion or contraction and therefore must oſten be replaced. Tis involves the frequent cutting and re-paving of asphalt surfaces. A camera for detection here offers a very good alternative. In the area of
applications generate sales that should not be ignored
toll collection, the conventional technology with DSRC, RFID or transponders is not a true alternative to camera-
based solutions. A toll system, however, requires cameras for tracking toll fraud. Cost-effective IP cameras are frequently used for this. Te use of a high-value camera or a camera
are returning to components that can be purchased individually such as cameras or processing boards. In this way cameras can be exchanged simply and easily if, for example, a higher resolution is required. Manufacturers also profit from volume-based
20 Imaging and Machine Vision Europe • Yearbook 2015/2016
system including on-edge processing enables not only automatic number plate capturing and vehicle recognition of trucks, cars, and motorcycles, but can also completely replace transponder technology and thus reduce the complexity of the entire system. O
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