Road Traffic Surveys Using Video Cameras and the Protection of Personal Information

Our laboratory conducts video surveys of road traffic in order to identify current road traffic issues and to propose their countermeasures for safe and smooth road traffic. The video images will be used for research purposes only and will not be shared with any third parties. The video data will be analyzed and stored in the following procedure. In this process, individuals will not be identified.

1．Location of video cameras

Traffic surveys are conducted from as high a vantage point as possible (e.g., the roof of a building) to minimize the reflection of people's faces and vehicle license plates. When installing cameras, we obtain permission from facility administrators and permission to occupy the road in advance, depending on the location of the cameras. However, depending on the road environment and the status of permission obtained from the facility, it may be necessary to install the camera in a location where the individual's face or other parts of the image will inevitably be reflected. In such cases, the following measures will be taken to protect personal information.

2．How to use video images

After video recording, the video data is immediately converted into position data of vehicles, pedestrians, etc. by image processing. This location data, which cannot be used to identify individuals, will be used for analysis in the research. When publishing academic papers, screenshots of the video images may be used to explain the situation. In such cases, mosaic processing is applied so that license plates and faces cannot be recognized and individuals cannot be identified from the images.

3．How to save video images

The video images will be stored on encrypted local hard disks. The hard disks are stored in a locked cabinet in the laboratory and are not allowed to be taken out of the laboratory.

4．Deployment of surveyors and safety measures

During road traffic surveys, surveyors are stayed around the cameras in principle to respond to inquiries at the site. When working at high elevations, the surveyors and cameras are equipped with lifelines and other fall prevention measures.

Traffic surveys planned or underway