Portable Vehicle Outer Contour Dimension Measurement Algorithm Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Overlimit Mobile Detection

In the realm of highway traffic management, the detection of overlimit vehicles holds paramount importance. Presently, the predominant methods for overlimit detection rely heavily on stationary detection equipment, thus constraining the ability to conduct mobile detection. To tackle this challenge, the current study introduced an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based portable methodology aimed at measuring vehicle outer contour dimensions. By employing a binocular camera affixed to a UAV, the method captured point cloud data of vehicles, from which a specialized algorithm extracted the point cloud of target vehicles. The dimensions of the vehicle profile were then determined through a combination of line-scanning method and rotation of axis. We carried out experiments on trucks of different sizes and colors, with the following results: the average error of length measurement was 2.35%, of width measurement was 1.85%, and the average error of height measurement was 1.18%. This indicated the method’s high accuracy. Beyond offering a novel technical solution for identifying overlimit vehicles, this study expanded UAV applications into a new domain. The proposed method stands out for its portability, speed, and efficiency, facilitating immediate detection of highway overlimit infractions and significantly contributing to highway traffic management.