摘要: |
Each year, 90% of the roughly 36,000 traffic-related deaths in the U.S. are the result of human
errors according to the Automobile Association of America. Keeping drivers alert with early safety
notifications on potential risks is important to reduce human errors and improve public safety.
Currently, navigation Apps can provide pre-announced construction locations, traffic delays,
accidental cites, and weather alarming. However, there is a complete lack of real-time risk
notifications.
Existing databases such as Crash Reporting Information System (CRIS), and Pavement
Management Information System (PMIS) have documented locations, time, road geometrics,
weather conditions, and causes of accidents, allowing identifications of high-risk regions of
collision. Further, the current Video Imaging Vehicle Detection System (VIVDS) of the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) can take, store, and transmit traffic images and video to
their data center in low frequency or on-demand real-time monitoring. However, the post-collection process from VIVDS is performed at the data center, imposing challenges on real-time
traffic flow monitoring due to the limitations on storage, computational capability, communication
bandwidth, energy consumption, and cost. There is also an urgent demand to enhance the VIVDS
under visual limited scenarios such as nighttime and foggy weather leading to frequent human
errors. Therefore, the research team proposes to generate low-cost real-time early safety notifications by
implementing artificial intelligence (AI) on existing road devices in all weather and light conditions.
The framework developed in this project will be compatible with existing infrastructure and
specifications from VIVDS of TxDOT. Upon achievement, the framework, development details,
and operation manuals will be shared with TxDOT, allowing easy transformable implementation
to the current infrastructure.
The proposed project will integrate the research activities with educational training by
developing new course modules for AI and risk analysis, advising senior designs for
undergraduates and thesis/dissertation projects for graduate students, and supporting
undergraduate research experiences in collaboration with the NSF Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The team will
actively recruit minority, female, and disabled students into our research teams and outreach
activities. An annual open house and demonstration to local middle and high school students will
be scheduled with the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio. |