Moving shadow detection and removal for traffic sequences

Abstract

Segmentation of moving objects in a video sequence is a basic task for application of computer vision. However, shadows extracted along with the objects can result in large errors in object localization and recognition. In this paper, we propose a method of moving shadow detection based on edge information, which can effectively detect the cast shadow of a moving vehicle in a traffic scene. Having confirmed shadows existing in a figure, we execute the shadow removal algorithm proposed in this paper to segment the shadow from the foreground. The shadow eliminating algorithm removes the boundary of the cast shadow and preserves object edges firstly; secondly, it reconstructs coarse object shapes based on the edge information of objects; and finally, it extracts the cast shadow by subtracting the moving object from the change detection mask and performs further processing. The proposed method has been further tested on images taken under different shadow orientations, vehicle colors and vehicle sizes, and the results have revealed that shadows can be successfully eliminated and thus good video segmentation can be obtained.

Automatic vehicle counting system for traffic monitoring

“…26 This latter was modified and adapted to our problem. The authors have noticed that in a scene including vehicles during a period with high illumination changes, these vehicles present strong edges whereas shadows do not present such marked edges.…”

Developing and Validating a Simulation Model for Counting and Classification of Vehicles

“…Removing cast shadow is a proposed edge-based algorithm by (Xiao et al 2007). They based their algorithm on three observations.…”

CCTV-Aided Accident Detection System on Four Lane Highway with Calogero-Moser System

“…proposed to uses a multi stage approach to determining the vehicle motion trajectories and eventually the lane geometry [18,19] . Some shadow elimination techniques have been classified in the literature into two groups, model-based and property-based technique [19] .…”

“…Some shadow elimination techniques have been classified in the literature into two groups, model-based and property-based technique [19] . The shadow removal approaches are based on an assumption that the shadow pixels have the same chrominance as the background but lowerluminance [8,20] .…”