Abstract
Methods for estimating a car’s length are presented in this paper, as well as the results achieved by using a self-designed system equipped with two anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensors, which were placed on a road lane. The purpose of the research was to compare the lengths of mid-size cars, i.e., family cars (hatchbacks), saloons (sedans), station wagons and SUVs. Four methods were used in the research: a simple threshold based method, a threshold method based on moving average and standard deviation, a two-extreme-peak detection method and a method based on the amplitude and time normalization using linear extrapolation (or interpolation). The results were achieved by analyzing changes in the magnitude and in the absolute z-component of the magnetic field as well. The tests, which were performed in four different Earth directions, show differences in the values of estimated lengths. The magnitude-based results in the case when cars drove from the South to the North direction were even up to 1.2 m higher than the other results achieved using the threshold methods. Smaller differences in lengths were observed when the distances were measured between two extreme peaks in the car magnetic signatures. The results were summarized in tables and the errors of estimated lengths were presented. The maximal errors, related to real lengths, were up to 22%.
Highlights
Modern vehicle monitoring and traffic monitoring systems collect data concerning the flow of vehicles, speed and traffic conditions while processing this the data in real time
Mid-size class cars differ in signature shape, number of peaks, value of their amplitudes, which (N-S direction) for Opel Vectra are up to 1 m higher and for Volvo S60 up to 1.2 m higher using causes a problem for creating universal software for accurate length estimation
The reason can be that Volvo is 0.1 m longer and it has 0.03 m less (N-S direction) for Opel Vectra are up to 1 m higher and for Volvo S60 up to 1.2 m higher using methods 1 and 2
Summary
Modern vehicle monitoring and traffic monitoring systems collect data concerning the flow of vehicles, speed and traffic conditions while processing this the data in real time. Methods and devices used to detect individual vehicles or entire car queues are the integral parts of such systems. A number of methods have appeared in the literature which are currently used to detect vehicles. A completely accurate vehicle-type-detection method has not been presented in the literature due to the variety in vehicle construction. The problem with a proper detection of a vehicle type is dependent on accurate speed measurements because speeds can be very different in traffic. Vehicle detection equipment uses technologies such as inductive loop detectors [1], video image processing systems [2], microwave radars [3], and active infrared detectors [4]
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