This article describes the Advanced Real-Time Imaging System (ARTIS), which is being used to monitor traffic flow on stretches of French motorways. ARTIS is a video-based incident detection package, designed to analyse traffic conditions and prevent likely incidents before they can lead to an accident, stoppage, or slowing down. It was implemented by T2M Automation in collaboration with the French National Research Institute for Transport and Safety (INRETS). Its self-contained video detectors, each with a camera and electronic system, are linked to a central control and supervision post. ARTIS automatically records its video sequences, so that it can replay the sequence of events leading to an incident, after its detection. Its automatic incident detection algorithm runs at a rate of five images per second; it operates continuously, whatever the weather. When installed in a supervision and control centre, ARTIS has the following functions: (1) keeping track of detectors; (2) detector programming; and (3) assistance in traffic management. ARTIS is an adaptable, proven technology for modern traffic management, and it is dramatically less expensive than some other systems. It is already being used by some principal operators of French motorways, such as AREA and ESCOTA.
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