Abstract:

Cameras are the most popular sensor deployed on UAVs and many studies have shown their ability to track vehicles and monitor traffic since 2000. At the same time, DSRC and C-V2X communication technologies are gaining momentum in both standardization and implementation. In this work, we first propose use cases for connected UAVs (CUAVs) in the context of mixed traffic that contains smart (connected and/or automated) vehicles as well as vehicles without any communication or automation abilities. These use cases show that communication combined with camera recording can provide more accurate and useful data for both smart and non-smart vehicles than camera recording alone. We then focus on how to visualize and simulate these CUAV use cases in PTV VISSIM. Visualization and simulation of the CUAVs are mostly implemented through VISSIM event-based scripting to provide minimal visualization delay. CUAV models, including dynamics and 3D models, are easily modified to suit simulation needs. Output from the CUAV cameras can be used for real time processing or saved for viewing after the simulation. This integrated visualization/simulation environment provides a platform for a wide range of CUAVs use cases to be implemented and tested in an industry standard traffic simulator.