A simple and novel method for vehicle detection and classification (a model based test)

Vehicle detection and classification of vehicles play an important role in decision making for the purpose of traffic control and management. We propose a novel and efficient algorithm based on image processing using vertically positioned camera for vehicle detection and classification according to their size. The algorithm is based on different techniques including image differencing, thresholding, edge detection and binary morphological process. Experiments are carried out over a wide range of vehicles, road segments and camera positions. A success rate of around 85% is achieved in both vehicle detection and classification.