Dual LiDAR-Based Traffic Movement Count Estimation at a Signalized Intersection: Deployment, Data Collection, and Preliminary Analysis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dual-LiDAR system deployed at a signalized intersection to improve traffic movement count estimation, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods especially under challenging conditions.

Contribution

The study develops and evaluates a dual-LiDAR system for intersection TMC estimation, providing insights into its deployment, data collection, and preliminary analysis.

Findings

LiDAR-based TMC estimation shows potential under poor lighting conditions.

Dual-LiDAR system effectively classifies vehicle movements and directions.

Preliminary results indicate trends and irregularities in traffic flow data.

Abstract

Traffic Movement Count (TMC) at intersections is crucial for optimizing signal timings, assessing the performance of existing traffic control measures, and proposing efficient lane configurations to minimize delays, reduce congestion, and promote safety. Traditionally, methods such as manual counting, loop detectors, pneumatic road tubes, and camera-based recognition have been used for TMC estimation. Although generally reliable, camera-based TMC estimation is prone to inaccuracies under poor lighting conditions during harsh weather and nighttime. In contrast, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology is gaining popularity in recent times due to reduced costs and its expanding use in 3D object detection, tracking, and related applications. This paper presents the authors' endeavor to develop, deploy and evaluate a dual-LiDAR system at an intersection in the city of Rialto, California, for TMC estimation. The 3D bounding box detections from the two LiDARs are used to classify vehicle counts based on traffic directions, vehicle movements, and vehicle classes. This work discusses the estimated TMC results and provides insights into the observed trends and irregularities. Potential improvements are also discussed that could enhance not only TMC estimation, but also trajectory forecasting and intent prediction at intersections.