Wednesday, November 18, 2015 | By Lindsay Cashin
UBC Civil Engineering’s Automated Computer Vision Road Safety Analysis System, led by Dr. Tarek Sayed, was selected to receive a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
The novel automated road safety analysis techniques developed by Dr. Sayed and his UBC research team offer a solution that can revolutionize how traffic safety is managed. Until now, safety professionals have needed collision data to reliably analyse and improve the safety of roadways, leading to the dilemma that there must be a trade of lives lost for lives saved. Dr. Sayed’s Automated Computer Vision Road Safety Analysis System allows for the detection of collision risks without the need for collisions to occur, by using advanced econometric methodologies and video technology to analyze traffic conflicts and near misses. This proactive approach is designed to offer a better understanding of vehicle collision failure mechanisms, particularly the collision-avoidance behaviour of drivers; which should help safety professionals diagnose safety problems and select the best countermeasures.
His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent is Patron of the Commission for Global Road Safety, and his Awards aim to give public recognition to “the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives.” The award was given by HRH Prince Michael of Kent to Dr. Sayed at a special ceremony in London on December 8th.