Highway agency in California issues RFP for image-based toll collection technology demos
The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA; Irvine, CA, USA) is seeking Expressions of Interest in receiving Request for Proposal (RFP) K000301, Image-Based Toll Collection Technology Demonstrations. TCA, a government entity that operates toll roads in southern California, has received a federal grant to demonstratevideo tolling technology. Video tolling is a form of transportation imaging that captures images of vehicles and their license plates to collect tolls from patrons.
TCA is interested in exploring not only new technology from the video tolling industry but also machine vision technology that, while not developed for tolling application, could be used for the applications. The technology demo areas of interest are:
Cameras--Fast, sensitive, high resolution cameras that perform both day and night, in high glare situations, and in all kinds of weather conditions.
Lighting--Illumination must be eye safe and non-distracting to drivers while providing sufficient light for good images.
Camera Triggering--Unless the camera is tracking moving vehicles and keeping them in focus at all times, some type of trigger is needed to tell the camera when the vehicle is in the ideal location to capture an image. Demonstration of various triggering/capture techniques is desired.
Vehicle Tracking Systems--Drivers sometimes change lanes in the toll zone making it difficult to associate a vehicle entry into the toll zone with its exit. Technology with the capability to accurately track the location of vehicles in the toll zone is desired.
Vehicle Classification Systems--Vehicle toll charges are commonly determined by vehicle characteristics. The number of axles a vehicle has is a common classification differentiator. Technology to count the number of axles a vehicle has is of interest.
Vehicle Separation Systems--Determining where a vehicle starts (front end) and where it ends (back end) are important in accurately associating vehicles with axle counts and for vehicle tracking.
Optical Character Recognition--The large numbers of images captured in a video tolling system require an automatic character recognition system. Highly accurate character recognition technology is desired.
Image Processing--Most video tolling images contain extraneous information in addition to the vehicle and its license plate. An automated image processing technology which can keep useful information in a picture and discard useless information is desirable to keep the image storage requirements to a minimum.
Image Storage--Video tolling generates large volumes of image data which must be stored. Fast, efficient, reliable, and expandable video data storage and retrieval technologies are desired.
Equipment selected for demonstration may be purchased or leased depending on the business policies of the supplier and the length of the demonstration and/or modifications to the equipment that are necessary for integration into the toll system. Participants will be compensated for technical support that exceeds normal product support.
To receive a copy of the final RFP when issued, please e-mail the following information to: [email protected] using the words RFP K000301 Interest List in the subject line. Include: Name of Firm, Address, Contact Person, Telephone and Facsimile Number, e-mail address.
SOURCE:The Toll Roads
--Posted byVision Systems Design