This paper presents a critical review of the current technologies in video detection systems and introduces the third generation video tracker embodied in the Mobilizer. Capabilities of this wide area traffic measurement system are discussed in the context of applications to flow monitoring and advanced traffic management systems. Two specific applications currently underway for the purposes of travel time measurements and other traffic data collection are described along with their stages of implementation. A discussion is included about the camera selection and the use of existing telecommunication networks in bringing the video image to the Traffic Management Center. Some effort is devoted to relating the co-ordination needed between the participating institutions and jurisdictions involved in traffic data collection. Evidence is included to emphasise how the video tracking feature of the Mobilizer enhances the accuracy of the video detection. Examples of icon display, vehicle classification and other traffic statistics produced by the system are presented. (A)
Abstract