Joint interpretation of on-board vision and static GPS cartography for determination of correct speed limit

TL;DR

This paper introduces a prototype ADAS that combines static GPS cartography with on-board vision to reliably determine the current speed limit, supporting driver information and automatic speed regulation.

Contribution

It presents a novel, logic-based joint interpretation approach of vision and cartography for accurate speed limit detection, improving robustness over probabilistic methods.

Findings

90% detection accuracy for main speed signs

80% detection accuracy for sub-signs

Robust performance even with conflicting data

Abstract

We present here a first prototype of a "Speed Limit Support" Advance Driving Assistance System (ADAS) producing permanent reliable information on the current speed limit applicable to the vehicle. Such a module can be used either for information of the driver, or could even serve for automatic setting of the maximum speed of a smart Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Our system is based on a joint interpretation of cartographic information (for static reference information) with on-board vision, used for traffic sign detection and recognition (including supplementary sub-signs) and visual road lines localization (for detection of lane changes). The visual traffic sign detection part is quite robust (90% global correct detection and recognition for main speed signs, and 80% for exit-lane sub-signs detection). Our approach for joint interpretation with cartography is original, and logic-based rather than probability-based, which allows correct behaviour even in cases, which do happen, when both vision and cartography may provide the same erroneous information.