The research group “Intelligent Vehicles and Traffic Technologies” of the Automation Department of the University of Alcalá has developed a procedure for the semaphoric control of the access roads to parkings and garages by monitoring pedestrians using artificial vision. It is a road safety system that ensures that the exit access of the vehicles from the parking is performed safely for pedestrians, by monitoring the different access points to the parking, using a stereoscopic vision system with infrared lighting.
The images provided by the stereoscopic vision system are processed by a computer, obtaining information regarding the presence of pedestrians in the vicinity of the monitored access point. This information is used to act on a traffic light that controls the exit access of vehicles.
The group looks for licensing agreements, technical cooperation agreements, manufacturing agreements or commercial agreements with technical assistance, with companies from the sector of transport infrastructure and traffic safety.
The invention relates to a system developed for automatic traffic light control/regulation of the access to parking lots and garages by monitoring pedestrians. This system is characterized by associating a pair of digital cameras that make up a stereoscopic vision system and an infrared lighting system that are placed in a fixed support located at the entry point to a car park or garage, in such a way that it can perceive completely and monitor the access to the parking or garage in question.
It also consists of:
- An electronic card, based on a small microcontroller, which is responsible for providing synchronization signals to digital cameras so that the images acquired by both cameras, of the stereo system, are perfectly synchronized with each other.
- A stereoscopic image processor based on an industrial computer, in which all the necessary functions are performed to control the process of image capture and storage in memory, pre-processing and analysis of images and finally, activation, if necessary, of the signal of activation of the semaphore that regulates the information provided to the drivers of vehicles in the parking. The whole process is regulated by the software implemented in the image processor.
- A communication interface between the industrial computer and the traffic light regulator that controls the monitored access to the parking or garage.
- A traffic light regulator that controls the access of vehicles through the monitored point of the parking or garage. It is responsible for controlling the activation states of the traffic light. Receiving data asynchronously from the industrial computer through the communication interface.
- Semaphore that allows or prohibits vehicles from leaving the parking lot or garage through the monitored access. This equipment is located inside the parking lot, but at the access point to the exit of it. It will show a green activation color when the exit of the parking ramp is free of obstacles and a red activation color when there is a pedestrian that could pose a potential danger.
The cameras provide synchronized grayscale images, thanks to the electronic card that allows to guarantee a correct synchronism in the acquisition of images of the stereo system. Said images are stored in the stereoscopic image processor. The industrial computer, which processes and stores the images, must be mounted in an external case properly closed and isolated, but can be easily manipulated during the installation and maintenance phases of the system. This sends control commands through the interface making use of an ETHERNET connection. Finally, the traffic light regulator, which acts on the traffic light that controls vehicle access, provides information to the drivers of the vehicles that perform exit maneuvers from the parking lot or garage through the monitored access. This information is of special importance in cases in which the visibility of the parking exit is limited or null.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS
The invention proposes a system for the automatic traffic light regulation of the accesses to parkings and garages by means of the monitoring of pedestrians, whose purpose is to provide additional security in the accesses to these places.
The proposed system significantly reduces accidents at access points to car parks and garages, since in a situation of potential danger, in which a pedestrian is crossing the access ramp to a parking lot, the driver of the vehicle performing the maneuver exit of the parking at that time receives information in real time, through the signal lights of the exit light, so you have time to slow down and remain alert to the possible lack of visibility.
Nothing similar has been found in patent databases or in the scientific literature consulted.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
The proposed invention has the following advantages:
- Automatic monitoring of access ramps to car parks and garages.
- Reduction of accidents in their access points.
- Composed of digital cameras and an industrial computer that allow mass production.
- Simple installation in parking garages and garages.
High commercial potential at national and international level with moderate cost.
Current development status
Finished technologies
Desired business relationship
Technology selling
Patent licensing
Technology development
Other : Manufacturing agreements
The Technology Transfer Office at Alcalá University serves as a liaison between the University and its socioeconomic environment in terms of research and innovation. It encorages collaboration between research groups from universities and companies/institutions, with the objective to promote and commercialize research results and scientific capabilities.
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- Promotion of R & D and improvement of the relationships with companies.
- Promote the participation in R & D projects applicants to public calls (regional, national and European).
- Advising, processing and monitoring of patents and other forms of industrial protection.
- Support in the negotiation of contracts and agreements for R&D&i
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