Vehicle speed estimation with the use of gradient-based image conversion into binary form

The paper presents a new method of vehicle speed estimation using image data processing. The presented method employs conversion of greyscale input images into binary form. Image conversion into binary form is based on small gradients in the input images. Contents of the obtained binary images correspond with traffic scenes presented in the input images. Vehicle speed is estimated on the basis of differences between appropriate ordinal image numbers in the sequence of input images. These ordinal image numbers are determined according to the changes of the state of the initial detection field and final detection field. The state of the detection fields is determined by analysis of their features. Changes of the features of the detection fields are caused by passing vehicles. Experimental results of vehicle speed estimation are provided.