Skip to main content

Cameras speed pothole detection

High-speed video cameras for ITS applications developed by Sony Image Sensing Solutions have been adopted by system integrator Horus to create a pothole identification system capable of detecting potholes at speeds of up to 130 kph (80 mph). The vision-based pothole detection system integrates six high-speed Sony ITS camera modules, each taking 15 high-resolution frames per second to form a 360-degree imaging system which accurately records data from up to three lanes simultaneously, even when travelling
October 25, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Sony high speed networked ITS cameras
High-speed video cameras for ITS applications developed by 576 Sony 5853 Image Sensing Solutions have been adopted by system integrator 7541 Horus to create a pothole identification system capable of detecting potholes at speeds of up to 130 kph (80 mph).

The vision-based pothole detection system integrates six high-speed Sony ITS camera modules, each taking 15 high-resolution frames per second to form a 360-degree imaging system which accurately records data from up to three lanes simultaneously, even when travelling at high speed. Images are combined with GPS data and processed by an on-board CPU.

Video from the system can then be transferred to the councils' computers and analysed using a bespoke media player with integrated mapping functionality, speeding the detection of potholes and allowing councils to make earlier, less costly repairs.

"The longer you leave a pothole, the more it costs to repair," said Dirk Aalbers of Horus.  "By recording at such high speeds, we can now monitor the main routes on a weekly basis, especially during the winter months when damage happens quickly."

Stéphane Clauss of Sony's Image Sensing Solutions division said: "Like many ITS applications, the Horus pothole detection system requires a high speed sensor, exceptional image clarity, and the ability to work in a range of light levels and that can cope with harsh environmental conditions."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Managed motorways, hard shoulder running aids safety, saves time
    January 30, 2012
    The announcement that, in 2012/13, work to extend Managed Motorways to Junctions 5-8 of the M6 near Birmingham in the West Midlands is scheduled to start marks the next step for the UK's hard shoulder running concept, first introduced on the M42 in 2006. The M6 scheme is in fact one of several announced; over the next few years work will start on applying Managed Motorways to various sections of the M1, M25 London Orbital, M60 and M62. According to Paul Unwin, senior project manager with the Highways Agency
  • Developing new detection and monitoring technologies
    November 21, 2012
    Established detection and monitoring technologies continue to evolve, but is it time to challenge their supremacy and take a serious look at less conventional ITS? Andy Graham considers the options with Jason Barnes. For ITS system providers, the most potentially lucrative markets over the next few years are going to be the BRIC (Brazil Russia India and China) group of countries, all of which are building many miles of new roads, applying tolling to existing ones (8,000km in China alone) and implementing w
  • Iteris’ ClearGuide answers USDoT call on traffic fatalities
    January 17, 2022
    Jeff Venables of Iteris explains the new approach ClearGuide Speeding Analytics takes to help US agencies realise their USDoT safety initiatives as road deaths soar
  • Solar-powered traffic detection improves communication
    January 31, 2012
    Pete Goldin reports on a new wireless, solar-powered traffic detection system being used by Caltrans District 12. As more and more traffic data is necessary to satisfy the needs of traffic management centres and traveller information systems, and as traffic detection technology becomes more ubiquitous, transportation authorities are pressured to find more economical ways of expanding their detection systems. Caltrans District 12 is leading this push by deploying the latest detection system from Case Global