Evaluación del uso de drones como herramienta para el análisis del flujo vehicular en intersecciones urbanas.

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate how drones can be used to analyze vehicular flow in urban intersections, specifically in the five intersections with the most significant traffic problems in Riobamba. A mixed methodology was used, which combined quantitative and qualitative, exploratory, correlational, descriptive, and documentary aspects. The data was collected through flyovers using the drone, which functioned as the primary research tool. This device flew over at heights of between 80 and 150 meters, collecting precise and reliable data that was subsequently processed using specialized authoring software built in Python with OpenCV libraries. The data collection provided a complete and detailed view of the traffic conditions at each intersection studied, which made it possible to identify flows and vehicle density. In addition, the drones demonstrated a remarkable ability to cover large geographic areas and adapt to various climatic and traffic conditions. Traffic presents itself as a tool with a significant advantage compared to traditional data collection methods. The project was validated per the existing legal regulations governing the Ecuadorian territory, thus demonstrating its technical, technological, and legal feasibility. The results demonstrate that the implementation of drones for vehicle flow analysis is feasible and beneficial, so future improvements and greater use of this technology for vehicle flow analysis are recommended.