The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is using dash cam imagery from vehicles traveling across the state to provide traffic managers with another way to verify road conditions.

NCDOT has deployed Iteris' ClearGuide Dash Cam Imagery, which incorporates imagery from Vizzion's Drives service into the traffic analytics platform. According to the companies, NCDOT is the first U.S. state agency to deploy the capability statewide.

The technology supplements existing probe speed data and real-time arrow board locations with current and historical road-level imagery.

Rather than relying exclusively on fixed roadside cameras, the system draws imagery from a network of connected dash cameras installed on commercial vehicles. Vizzion reports that its network captures imagery from vehicles traveling approximately 3 million miles per day.

Filling Gaps Between Fixed Cameras

NCDOT traffic managers can view dash cam coverage on a map and select imagery from specific locations to see roadway conditions.

This provides visual information about areas where the state does not have fixed traffic cameras, without requiring an employee to travel to the location to verify conditions.

“On-vehicle camera data, and its use within a traffic analytics platform, gives us the ability to see events in locations where we do not have traffic cameras,” said Kelly Wells, NCDOT traveler information engineer.

The agency is using the imagery alongside other traffic data to support incident response, road-condition verification, and traveler information.

From Wildfires to Work Zones

NCDOT has already tested or used the dash cam imagery in several situations.

During a wildfire, the agency used imagery to verify the event's location and duration, providing additional information for traffic management and response.

NCDOT has also used the system to assess the severity of fog and other adverse weather conditions. That information can help officials determine whether variable message signs are providing appropriate warnings to motorists.

For work zones, the imagery can help verify active lane closures and identify discrepancies in lane-closure information before inaccurate information reaches travelers.

The agency is also evaluating the technology to better determine what resources are needed to respond to roadway events.

“This technology has the potential to complement probe speed data in a way that significantly improves situational awareness for traffic management and traveler information,” Wells said.