The city of Verona, Italy, started a technology project in 2005 with the implementation of an intelligent transport system. The initial focus was on creating a centralized traffic light control system for restricted zones. Since then, they have broadened their initiatives to include extensive video surveillance aimed at measuring and analyzing many more facets of the city’s traffic and environmental developments.
Investments were essential to ensure the ability to collect data from the road network, monitor mobility flow levels, control restricted zones and provide vital information to enhance road safety - especially in accordance with European directives.
Among the equipment chosen for the implementation, AXIS cameras allow in-depth programming and image acquisition because they facilitate video data pre-processing directly on the camera (‘at the edge’). The integration of AXIS cameras with the Milestone XProtect video management software (VMS) platform has enabled Verona to conduct more detailed analyses of the traffic movements.
This includes predictive modeling and classifications in specific contexts. For example, they are using the system to analyze the effectiveness of interventions in cycling and micro-mobility. This enables counting and classifying vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist and scooter traffic and examining their interactions at traffic signals and crosswalks.
Verona’s video surveillance system consists of both centralized image ingestion and management in the XProtect VMS and data analytics peripherally on the cameras. This has allowed them to diversify its use: the video now serves not only as a visual control of traffic conditions but also as a continuous environmental monitoring tool.
Moreover, authorities increasingly request performance analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of various initiatives and investments in urban mobility. Verona’s video solution ensures that they can measure the level of acceptance of new pedestrian and cycling routes over time, which can be achieved with the video platform’s thorough visualization and context analysis.