Traffic lights

The purpose of the module is to ...:

1. Detect the condition of the traffic lights signals (on, off, blinking), circular lights, and arrows included.

These are the traffic lights set up in the RULES section of the video analytics settings of the module. Every time the condition changes, the module outputs an event that can be seen on the Events page with the filter configuration, as shown.




2. Supply information about the condition of the traffic lights signals to the traffic rule controller.

These are the traffic lights set up in the TRAFFIC OBJECTS section of the video analytics settings of the module. 

For instance, the module “tells” the traffic rule controller that the red light was on at the moment the car crossed the stop line, so the controller makes the decision that the “Stop line crossed” violation did occur.

Hardware requirements

• Camera position: fixed camera
• Resolution: from 1280x720 (HD Ready) to QHD 2592x1944.
• Tilt: +5° to 30°
• Pan: -45° to +45°
• Roll -5° to +5°4
• Minimum detected light size: 16x16 px.

Tips to set up the module

• Light frame must be over 16x16 px in size.
• A light frame should encompass the brightest light area; try not to allow empty zones or light caps inside the frame.

Correct	Incorrect

Enable Traffic lights

1. Find the camera to enable the module in the User menu — Settings — Cameras section and click Video analytics settings as shown.    

2. On the <module_name> list, click the name of the module.
3. Slide right the On/Off slider 
4. Click Apply at the bottom of the pane.

Export module settings

Export the module settings to a *.xml file, e.g., to pass it to qualified IREX personnel to find a solution to a problem with the module performance, should it happen. To do so:

1. Find the camera running the module in the User menu — Settings — Cameras, and click Video  analytics settings as shown:    

2. On the VIDEO ANALYTICS tab on the camera settings pane on the left, click the three-dot menu 



Export analytics configurations of the module — to export the module settings on the MAIN sub-tab.

Export analytics configurations of the model — to export the entire module configuration, including the rules, if any.

Main module settings

In practice, the body of a traffic light may shift from its normal position, thus breaking the light monitoring settings of the module, making it dysfunctional. To mitigate the effect of small displacements:

1. On the MAIN tab in the module settings, checkmark Traffic lights shifted to be informed whenever a considerable displacement happens.




2. Enter a shift magnitude threshold to trigger such events in Shift above ...

Set up traffic lights for events

Then on the RULES tab,  set up the traffic lights to be monitored to output events every time a signal changes.

Set up the circular lights control

1. Run the Circular light change as shown.




2. On the card of the same name that has appeared, enter the event name.
3. Build frames around the red, yellow, and green lights, keeping the tips in mind.




4. Click the “+” as shown to repeat the same procedure with the secondary lights, e.g. at the exit from the crossroads. 

These shall be considered a backup for the main ones, e.g., in case the main signals get screened or dysfunctional.

5. Click the Apply.

The module will then start streaming the signal change events onto the Events screen. Such events can later be found using the by-type or by-name event filters.

Set up arrow signal control

1. Run the Arrow light change as shown.




2. On the card of the same name that has appeared, enter the event name.
3. Build the frame around the arrow, keeping the tips in mind.




4. Click the “+” as shown to repeat the same procedure with the secondary arrow, e.g., at the exit from the crossroads. 

It shall be considered a backup for the main arrow, e.g., in case it gets screened or dysfunctional.

5. Click the Apply.

The module will then start streaming the arrow light change events onto the Events screen. Such events can later be found using the by-type or by-name event filters.

Set up railway crossing signals

Such signals are required to control violations at railway crossings.

1. Click Railroad crossing light change as shown




2. On the card that opens, enter an event name.




3. Build the frames around the railway crossing lights.
4. Click Apply.

Set up signals for traffic rules violations

On the TRAFFIC OBJECTS tab, set up the lights and arrows that will be reported to the traffic rule controller, thus enabling it to make its decisions about whether a traffic lights violation actually occurred.

Click the Circular lights, Arrows or Railroad crossing lights on this tab, and then follow the same routine to build the frames around the lights that will be watched.

Give the traffic lights and arrows self-explanatory names, since they will be needed when setting up the “Do not go” signal in the crossroads crossing rules. For instance, “Left-pointing arrow” may be a good name for the arrow that controls left turns at a crossroads, etc.