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An electronic eye that counts the number of vehicle occupants

For the past few weeks, the tollbooth at the Vallvidrera tunnel in Spain’s northern Catalonia region has been awarding a 20% discount to vehicles carrying at least three passengers. And nobody is counting. The work is done by an automatic computer vision system designed at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

STAFF | JULY 29, 2010

Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) have created an automated device able to detect the number of occupants in a given vehicle. The system can operate in limited lighting conditions and with all types of vehicles. The device, which is installed at the tollbooth on the Vallvidrera tunnels and lowers the fee for high occupancy vehicles, is based on processing the images obtained by a camera that records inside the vehicle from different points of view in order to identify the number of riders.

The device successfully eliminated existing errors
in previous systemsThe addition of cameras successfully eliminated existing errors in previous systems, such as the problems posed by the reflections in car windows, which led to incorrect readings. Furthermore, this method facilitates the visualization of faces that can be hidden from a given angle. This device also recognizes the facial patterns of the occupants of the vehicle associated them with different existing profiles. For example, if a person has more or less hair or even if there is an element which might disrupt the images such as hats, glasses, handkerchiefs, etc.

The system was developed by professors Josep Amat, Joan Basomba and Manel Frigola of the Intelligent Robotics and Systems Group of the Polytechnic University of the UPC. The system was commissioned by the Department of Planning and Public Works of the Generalitat de Catalonia.

The system is designed to function at optimal levels even in poor lighting conditions whether due to the time of day or weather conditions. Each camera is complemented by a special lighting system that ensures correct readings but without causing any inconvenience to drivers. To this end, a light panel located on either side of the vehicle that produces a diffuse light to adequately illuminate every area of the vehicle was used.

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