Abstract:
The disclosure provides a method for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise disposing a smart camera system on a vehicle and installing the smart camera system to the vehicle. The method may further comprise recording data from transportation infrastructure with the smart camera system, transmitting the data to a remote server with the transmitter, analyzing the data on the server, and accessing the data on the server with device. A system for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise a smart camera system disposed on a vehicle, wherein the smart camera system comprises a camera and transmitter, as well as a server capable to analyze data. A device may be configured to record and collect transportation infrastructure conditions. The camera system may comprise a camera, an electronic control module, a global positioning system, a single board computer, and a dashboard.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application that claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/355,444 filed on Jun. 28, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    This invention was made with government support under 468690 awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation. The government has certain rights in the disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
       [0003]    The present disclosure may generally relate to adapting an available after-market machine system built for assisted driving, and more specifically, to creating an on-board markings assessment network. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be installed in vehicles to inventory and assess the condition of transportation infrastructure, such as, for example, signs and pavement markings, and then may transmit data to a remote server (e.g., cloud-based). Analytics may be performed on the data and the results may be provided back to the user with “dashboards” that may be available on mobile devices or on computers equipped with a connection to the internet. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure may be installed on fleet vehicles to generate fleet sourced data. As the vehicles go about their daily duties, they may collect data which may analyze transportation data. 
       Background of the Disclosure 
       [0004]    Agencies may rely on various methods to inventory and assess transportation infrastructure. For example, for pavement markings, there may generally be two methods used to assess the condition of the pavement markings. One method may be a visual method which may involve a dedicated nighttime trip. Alternatively, agencies may hire a service provider to measure the condition of the markings using specialized equipment that may be expensive and limited to retro reflectivity assessments (daytime visibility may not be considered). This process may be time consuming and may only provide a snapshot of the condition of the markings (usually once per year). The disclosure described herein, may remove the subjectivity of visual inspections, may not require dedicated trips, may provide more frequent results, and may be used to assess both daytime and nighttime performance. These benefits may provide more agencies and other users with much more robust data to make more cost-effective decisions with limited resources. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0005]    These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a method, a system, and a device for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition. The method may comprise disposing a smart camera system on a vehicle and installing the smart camera system to the vehicle. The smart camera system may comprise a smart camera, a single board computer (SBC), an electric control module (ECM), a global positioning system (GPS), and a transmitter. The method may further comprise recording data from a transportation infrastructure with the smart camera system, transmitting the data to a remote server with the transmitter, analyzing the data on the server, and accessing the data on the server with a device, wherein the device displays the data on a dashboard. 
         [0006]    A system for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise a smart camera system disposed on a vehicle, wherein the smart camera system comprises a camera and a transmitter, as well as a server capable to analyze data. 
         [0007]    A camera system configured to record and collect transportation infrastructure condition. The camper system may comprise a camera, an electronic control module, a global positioning system, a single board computer, and a dashboard. 
         [0008]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a smart camera system installed on a vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of data being collected at its point of origin in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a camera that may rate the condition of the pavement markings in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a data collecting network in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of data which may disclose conditions of the roads in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of additional information in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a dashboard in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a dashboard showing location specific details in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of a dashboard showing At-a-Glance Reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a dashboard showing Fleet Analytics in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present embodiments relate to the use of an available after-market machine vision system built for assisted driving which may be adapted with additional equipment to provide benefits for the highway owner-operator. Aftermarket systems may be sold or provided to transportation infrastructure owner/operators/maintainers. Subscriptions to the service (analytics and output) may be used to generate profit. 
         [0021]    Adapting an available after-market device built for assisted driving may be installed in vehicles to inventory and assess the condition of pavement markings, which may transmit the data to a off site server. Analytics may be performed and the results may be provided back to a user in easy to use “dashboards” that may be accessible by a mobile device, tablet and/or traditional computers equipped with a connection to the internet. In embodiments, OEM (“Original Equipment Manufacturer”) and after-market devices and sensors may be installed in vehicles to assist drivers and improve safety. Also, vehicles may be equipped with sensors and devices to perform specific tests and assessments for the inventory and maintenance condition of assets in the transportation of infrastructure. This disclosure may encompass a process to integrate safety devices, especially camera, lidar and other sensors, for a secondary benefit to inventory and assess the Road Right of Way (“ROW”) maintenance. This disclosure primarily may assess pavement markings but also may include other transportation infrastructure assets captured by video, lidar and other sensors. Captured data may then be processed and then presented to users for efficient action and time and money savings for carrying out ROW inventory and maintenance. 
         [0022]    This disclosure may cover several elements. Data may be captured via sensors and devices which may be designed for primarily safety applications. The ROW infrastructure and specific condition of the particular assets of interest may be evaluated based on the image with the result reported for maintenance planning. This may save users from having to dedicate specific vehicles to drive roads to acquire this data as a separate process. The data may be integrated with other data and information obtained via the Controlling Area Network bus (“CAN bus”) and other sensors, either in a device/appliance or at a server. The data may be converted to information based on analytics and parameters so that the information may be ultimately presented to users for cost effective and directed action, thereby improving asset management with this timely information. 
         [0023]    This disclosure may include the application and analytics and processing necessary to assess condition of ROW assets, such as pavement markings, without requiring dedicated vehicles. This disclosure may also implement a network effect whereby many vehicles may provide data from a number of devices rather than vehicles specifically equipped for a specific task. The benefit may be vehicle-sourced continuous data acquisition over time with updates to the condition data further improving maintenance performance and cost efficiency. 
         [0024]    This disclosure may be applicable to assessing the condition of road markings and signage, which may be seen via an aftermarket camera installed for safety. Without limitation, this disclosure may also include other items captured by the camera and other sensors, integrating other data from the CAN bus or otherwise, to better assess maintenance condition or changes to other ROW assets. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a smart camera system  6  disposed in vehicle  1 . Smart camera system  6  is disposed in vehicle  1  anywhere one skilled in the art would deem suitable for the smart camera system  6  to view and assess transportation infrastructure. Smart camera system  6  may include a smart camera  2 , an electronic control module (ECM)  3 , a single board computer (SBC)  4 , a Global Positioning System (GPS)  5  and a transmitter (not pictured). Vehicle  1  may also be equipped with sensors (not pictured). These sensors are either factory sensors and/or installed after vehicle  1  was purchased. These sensors may include, but are not limited to, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, position sensors, environment sensors, ultrasonic sensor, passive infrared sensor, distance sensor, hall effect sensor, variable reluctance sensor, speed sensors, and the like. The SBC  4  may operate as a motherboard, where data may be stored and may further be configured to allow smart camera system  6  to communicate with sensors, such as but not limited to, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, position sensors, environment sensors, ultrasonic sensor, passive infrared sensor, distance sensor, hall effect sensor, variable reluctance sensor, speed sensors, and/or the like. The ECM  3  is an embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a transport vehicle. Both SBC  4  and ECM  3  may be disposed anywhere in the vehicle one skilled in the art would deem suitable. The data collected by smart camera system  6  and the sensors may be transmitted to a server  41 . A transmitter (not illustrated) may communicate with server  41 , discussed below, wirelessly through a computer and/or a cellular network. In examples, the transmitter may directly connect with a computer network. Data from smart camera system  6  may be transmitted in real time to server  41 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates data being collected at its point of origin. A vehicle  1  that may be equipped with smart camera system  6  and sensors may collect and record data of transportation infrastructure  12 . In a non-limiting example,  FIG. 2  illustrates vehicle  1  traveling along transportation infrastructure  12 . Smart camera system  6  and sensors may utilize many different methods for collecting data. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to video, lidar, and other sensors. As illustrated in  FIG. 2  using Lidar, smart camera system  6  may illuminate the transportation infrastructure  12  with a pulsed laser light  11 . Pulsed laser light  11  is reflected back and may be measured using a sensor. These measurements may then determine the visibility of transportation infrastructure  12  such as, but not limited to pavement markings  10 , identification signs, traffic conditions, and/or the like. This information may be transmitted in real time to server  41  where the information may be compiled and analyzed. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the transportation infrastructure  12  may then be categorized into sections based on measurements from smart camera system  6 . For example, vehicle  1  may be travelling within a transportation infrastructure  12  recording and collecting data. These recordings may identify at least one part of transportation infrastructure  12  as good sections  20  and as bad sections  21 . For example, good sections  20  may be defined as visible pavement markings and bad sections  21  may be defined as faint or obscure pavement markings. This is one example of the types of data that may be collected from transportation infrastructure  12 . With respect to  FIG. 2 , other types of data collected pertaining to transportation infrastructure  12  may include, but is not limited to, the infrastructure integrity, visibility of pavement markings  10 , signs, weather conditions, traffic conditions, estimated repair costs, daily travel, speed limit, traffic incidents. Weather conditions may further include, temperature, relative humidity, forecast and the like. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates that a fleet of vehicles  1  (reference to  FIG. 1 ), which may be disposed within sectors  30  may generate data over a geographical area  31 , which may provide a breakdown of transportation infrastructure  12 . Within geographical area  31 , the information gathered by the fleet is collected, transmitted to a remote server and/or servers  41  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), compiled, analyzed, and then processed. The data is then displayed on a dashboard  60 , as discussed below. Dashboard  60  may be displayed on any device  47 , discussed below, capable of accessing server  41 . Non-limiting examples of devices  42  which may be capable of accessing server  41  are smart phones, tablets and/or traditional computers. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates that data from a plurality of vehicles  1  may send recorded data to HUB  40  which may communicated the recorded data to server  41 . Server  41  may analyze and process the data which may be accessed by device  42  which may display conditions of transportation infrastructure  12 . Device  42  may produce web based products. The information may be transmitted wirelessly through a computer network, wirelessly through a cellular network or through a direct connection with a computer network. The configured data is then accessible either directly at the server  41  or offsite by device  42  that communicates wirelessly with the server  41  or the data is accessible off site by device  42  that is directly connected to the server  41  through a computer network. The information collected by a plurality of vehicles  1  concerning a geographical region may be sent to a third party. This third party may then use this information as desired. In a non-limiting embodiment, the third party may be a government entity. The government entity may use the collected data to make road improvement and repair decisions. Furthermore, the geographical region may include, but is not limited to, a road, a county, a district, a state, a country, and or any combination thereof. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates additional information collected by smart camera system  6  that may be disclosed by web based products. With reference to  FIG. 5 , this information is included in the information that is collected by the vehicles  1  and transmitted to a server and/or servers  41 . The additional information may include smart camera systems  6  in vehicles  1 , conditions of transportation infrastructure  50 , transportation planning and programming traffic counts 51, and weather  52 . Conditions of transportation infrastructure may include traffic information, pavement markings, transportation infrastructure signs, and the like. Transportation planning and programming traffic counts include information about traffic such as, but not limited to, when and where traffic normally occurs. Weather includes information including, but not limited to, the dew point, the temperature, the relative humidity, and or the like. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a high level view of the dashboard  60 . This view of dashboard  60  may include information such as, but not limited to, integrity breakdown  62 , daily travel  63 , lane types  64 , and/or lane capacity  65 . The integrity breakdown  62  may further include, but is not limited to, the percentage of low integrity roads, estimated cost of repair, and/or average road coverage. Daily travel  63  may include information such as, but not limited to, the amount of transportation vehicles that may traverse at least a portion of transportation infrastructure. Lane types  64  may be further broken down into categories including, but not limited to, broken line, double solid line, single solid line, and/or other. It should be noted that dashboard  60  may be configured to display integrity breakdown  62 , daily travel  63 , lane types  64 , and/or lane capacity  65  device  42  in any suitable configuration. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates a dashboard  60  showing location specific details in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Specific location may include, but is not limited to, a specific road. The information displayed may include, but is not limited to, the name of the road  70  being analyzed, the road integrity  71 , the weather conditions  52  and traffic statistics  72 . The road integrity  71  may include information such as pavement conditions and or visibility of pavement markings. The weather conditions  52  may include information such as relative humidity, temperature, and/or the projected forecast. Traffic statistics  72  include information such as times and places where traffic is frequent. Information displayed on the dashboard  60  may further comprise the average road integrity, average daily traffic, average traffic incidents, estimated repair costs, customer complaints, speed limit, and time since last repair. It should be noted that dashboard  60  may be displayed on device  42  in any suitable configuration. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  illustrates a dashboard  60  showing At-a-Glance Reporting in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Dashboard  60  displays information pertaining to a district  80  broken up by counties  81 . Information displayed on dashboard  60  may include, but is not limited to, road integrity  71  and integrity breakdown  62 . The road integrity  71  may include information such as pavement conditions and or visibility of pavement markings. Integrity breakdown  62  may break down the roads traveled according to their integrity ranking, such as good, moderate, bad, and/or other. Information displayed on dashboard  60  may further comprise, but is not limited to, repair costs and repair time. It should be noted that dashboard  60  may be displayed on device  42  in any suitable configuration. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  illustrates a dashboard  60  showing Fleet Analytics in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. This dashboard  60  may display information pertaining to fleet activity  92  over district  80 . This dashboard  60  may display information including, but not limited to, fleet connectivity  91 , fleet distribution  90  and fleet activity  92 . Fleet connectivity  91  may be further broken down into categories including, but not limited to, miles traveled, miles observed, and/or the percentage of the fleet that was active over district  80 . Fleet distribution  90  shows where the fleet traveled and how often. Fleet activity  92  shows how long the plurality of vehicles  1  were active in said geographical area  31 . It should be noted that dashboard  60  may be displayed on device  42  in any suitable configuration. 
         [0035]    It should be understood that the present disclosure uses the term “sensor” or “sensors” to mean any number of different types of sensors found on a vehicle. It should be noted that these types of sensors may include, but are not limited to humidity sensors, temperature sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, position sensors, environment sensors, ultrasonic sensor, passive infrared sensor, distance sensor, hall effect sensor, variable reluctance sensor, speed sensors and the like. 
         [0036]    Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.