EDGE COMPUTING AND SENSOR INTEGRATION FOR REAL-TIME RURAL ROAD MANAGEMENT

The major goal of this project is toidentify, develop, andintegrate affordable, in situ traffic and environmental sensors with edge computing devices to enable real-time data processing allowing for immediate notification and decision-making. This project will develop an integrated platform that combines cellular-connected cameras with edge compute capability for image and environmental sensor processing. Custom machine learning models will allow for efficient transmission of only relevant information saving end-users time and money. If this goal is achieved, local governments - especially those in rural environemnts - will benefit from a scalable solution that will allow them to increase safefy on rural roads and improve efficiency of road maintainers.Objective One: Which environmental sensors yield the highest impact in increasing safety and efficiency?Information sought in this objective would include:Environmental sensor solutions in use and those that would be considered optimalDegree of scientific accuracy required for inclusionCurrent coverage of road management systems versus total coverage goalsObjective Two: What will be required to integrate the various sensors into the EdgeCam platform?Identify system design requirementsDocument power and connectivity needs for each sensorUnderstand mounting and security requirementsObjective Three: What machine learning models and heuristics will prove most beneficial and create the highest levels of efficiency for the end users?Understand what existing data is being captured and what should be prioritized in Phase II: including but not limited to vehicle types, speed, crash/collision, roadway conditions (dry, wet, snow), environmental conditions (fog, smoke, etc.), obstacles such as animalsIdentify what models will be required to build intelligence on edge that will most effectively decipher which data should be transmitted and to whomDevelop a plan for building or sourcing code/models for edge analysisObjective Four: Where and in what conditions can we achieve the most comprehensive field testing?Current parties of interest include:Colorado Department of Transportation (letter of support included)St. Louis County, MN (letter of support included)Objective Five: What is the full commercial potential of this project and how will commercialization be accomplished?Throughout the course of Phase I, Barn Owl will identify the size of the commercial opportunity of this project and how to best bring it to marketIdentify market opportunityDefine preliminary go to market strategy