Traffic Data Collection Systems: VEKPI - Count.

Abstract The paper presents the existing situation of automatic traffic recording systems located on the national road and motorway network in Romania, highlighting their technical and operational limitations, as well as the need to modernize and expand the traffic counter network. In addition, the implementation of an innovative vehicle counting and classification system based on the Raspberry Pi platform – VEKPI-count is developed and tested within a pilot project. The operating principles, technical and economic advantages of this system are presented, alongside comparative results obtained against conventional equipment currently in use. The results of the study indicate that the use of the VEKPI-count system leads to an improvement in the quality of traffic data and a reduction in classification errors, while providing a cost-effective solution for expanding the monitoring network. The large-scale implementation of such systems can significantly contribute to the analysis of the correlation of road accidents with road characteristics and to increasing traffic safety.