Realtime Image Processing Algorithms for the Detection of Road and Environmental Conditions

This paper discusses image processing algorithms for the recognition of environmental and road conditions from real-time camera images. This research addresses various implementation techniques for and considerations of the implementation of algorithms to extrapolate various features from images taken by stationary traffic cameras. These algorithms have uses in the areas of traffic pattern analysis, emergency response, real-time traffic situation awareness, and homeland security. This paper covers the design and implementation of an automated camera heading detection system in order to determine the directional components of a camera’s position using the current camera image, various computer vision techniques, and a series of classification training images. Image processing topics addressed as part of this research include edge detection, line detection, and tow-dimensional filtering.