The authors of the technological solution

The system, invented by a group of students from the the Transport University, is a technological solution that would help government agencies monitor public order and deal with pavement encroachment.

The HCM City authorities months ago launched a ‘pavement clearing movement’ after pedestrians complained they had to walk on streets as there was no space left on the pavement, which was used by vendors and motorbike parking lots.

“We read news about the campaign and we decided to make a contribution,” said Trinh Phu Duy, head of the team.

The students observed that local authorities have to spend much time and effort to go the site. They decided that there should be a system which allows officials to see  images of activities on pavements and streets. This can provide evidence of violations.

“The technology is highly feasible, professional and it doesn’t require a big workforce,” said Nguyen Thanh Nhi, a member of the team.

However, the students aim not to punish but heighten citizen awareness of the need to restore order on pavements and streets.

“It is necessary to use both an educational method and strict punishment,” Thi said.

“When the system discovers violations, it will give warnings to violators via an alarm. Only when they continue to violate the space will the system store information to serve  punishment,” Thi said.

The system invented by the students includes many cameras and image processing devices installed on some routes. 

Each component system has cameras, processing units and alarms. The function of cameras is to to monitor and collect images, while the function of the processing unit is to receive and analyze the images. If it discovers violations, the system will turn on the alarm to warn violators.

The processing unit is set with image processing algorithms and AI so as to recognize the motors and cars illegally parked on pavements. The system can also identify the plate numbers of the vehicles and send to appropriate agencies when necessary.

Nguyen Vi Nhan, a member of the team, said the system has been put in trial use and works well. The invention won first prize at the Youth Creative Ideas Contest in HCM City.

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