Set-up Traffic Counting

How to succeed in traffic counting including the classification of vehicles according to our Classes/Subclasses on dedicated urban & highway streets

You want to know the traffic situation of an urban street or highway? SWARM software is providing the solution to get the number of vehicles passing at the street split per vehicle type (Classes) and direction.

What data can be generated?

For this use case, SWARM software is providing you with any data needed for traffic counting - The counts of vehicles including classification can be covered. The counts are split between two directions (IN/OUT). Furthermore, several counts can be made in one video camera, e.g.: count each lane separately. On top, you have the opportunity to add a second counting line, calibrate the distance in between and estimate the speed of the vehicles passing both lines.

What needs to be considered for a successful analysis?

Camera Set-up

Find detailed information about camera requirements/settings as well as camera positioning in the table below.

	Recommended
Pixels per Meter (PPM) Pixels Per Meter is a measurement used to define the amount of potential image detail that a camera offers at a given distance.	> 30 PPM for object classes car, truck > 60 PPM for object classes person, bicycle, motorbike Using the camera parameters defined below ensures to achieve the minimum required PPM value) Tip: Use the Axis lens calculator or generic lens calculator.
Camera video resolution	1280×720 pixel
Camera video protocol/codec	RTSP/H264
Camera Focal Length	2.8mm-12mm
Camera mounting - distance to object center	Object classes car, truck 5-30 meters (2,8mm focal length) 35-100 meters (12mm focal length) Object classes person, bicycle, scooter 3-12 meters (2,8mm focal length) 25-50 meters (12mm focal length)
Camera mounting height	Up to 10 meters Note: Higher mounting is preferred to minimize occlusions from larger objects like trucks
Camera mounting - vertical angle to the object	<50° Note: setting the correct distance to vehicle and camera mounting height should result in the correct vertical angle to the vehicle
Camera mounting - horizontal angle to the object	0° - 90° Note: An angle of about 15° provides better classification results due to more visible object details (e.g. wheels/axes)
Wide Dynamic Range	Can be enabled

Possible Camera for this use case

Camera		Comment
HikVision	Bullet Camera DS-2CD2046G2-I	2,8 mm fixed focal length
HikVision	Bullet Camera DS-2CD2645FWD-IZS	2,8mm - 12mm motorised focal length

How to configure?

The configuration of the solution can be managed centrally in SWARM Control Center. Below, you can see how the standard traffic counting needs to be configured for optimal results.

In order to start your configuration, take care that you have configured your camera and data configuration.

Configuration settings

Configuration	Settings
Model	Traffic & Parking (Standard)
Configuration option	Counting Line (optional speed)
ANPR	Disabled
Raw Tracks	Disabled

How to place the configuration type?

For receiving the best accuracy of the counting including the classification, the Counting Line should be placed approx. in the middle of the video frame so that vehicles from both directions are seen long enough for good detection and classification.

You can choose the direction IN/OUT as you want in order to retrieve the data as needed. On top, you have the option to give a custom direction name for the IN and OUT directions.

How to get the data?

Visualize data

You can visualize data via Data Analytics in different widgets.

Scenario

In our Traffic Scenario section, you can find more details about the possible Widgets to be created in the Traffic Scenario Dashboards.

Traffic Scenario

Example

Here is an example for a Traffic counting widget You have the different options to choose the data you want for a certain time period as well as choosing the output format (e.g.: bar chart, table, ...).

Traffic Counting Widget

Retrieve your data

If you need your data for further local analysis, you have the option to export the data of any created widget as csv. file for further processing in Excel.

csv. export

If you would like to integrate the data in your IT environment, you can use the API. In Data Analytics, you will find a description of the Request to use for retrieving the data of each widget.

REST API

Environment specification

Object velocity	< 130 km/h
Day/Night/Lighting	Daytime/Well illuminated/Night vision
Indoor/Outdoor	Outdoor
Expected Accuracy (Counting+Classification) (when all environmental, hardware, and camera requirements are met)	Counting >95% (vehicles, bicycles) Classification of main classes: >95% Classification of subclasses: >85%

Hardware Specifications

Supported Products	VPX, P401, P101/OP101, P100/OP100
Frames Per Second	25