High occupancy carpooling lanes play an important role in reducing roadway congestion; however, their benefits are severely limited when motorists do not abide by the rules.

Xerox has launched the Vehicle Passenger Detection System, a HOV/HOT lane compliancy test system that uses Xerox video analytics to identify the number of occupants in a vehicle.

Unlike competing solutions, the Vehicle Passenger Detection System identifies the number of occupants in a vehicle with better than 95% accuracy at speeds ranging from stop-and-go to 100 mph (161 km/h).

Using patented video analytics and geometric algorithms, the roadside detection unit can distinguish between empty and occupied seats. When a violation is detected, the information can be reported to the relevant enforcement agency in real time so an officer can visually confirm the information and potentially issue a citation.

Today, officers must park on the shoulder of a highway and quickly merge into traffic to chase down the violator, putting both the officer and the public at risk. This detection system automates the process and improves safety through the use of high-quality images and the generation of an evidence package.

The new passenger detection system was designed for tolling agencies managing HOT lanes and for transportation departments as well as state law enforcement officers seeking better HOV enforcement. In addition, Xerox’s detection system can produce analytics for agencies to improve roadway management, traffic patterns and total vehicle occupant statistics.