Bicycle Riding Side Identification by Image Sensing of Asymmetric-Shaped Road Marking Orientation

In this letter, we describe a bicycle riding side identification method by image sensing of the asymmetric-shaped road marking orientation in order to realize an advanced bicycle navigation system and a bicycle riding safety support system. First, we define the requirements of road markings in this method as existing in bicycle riding space, having a vertical asymmetrical shape, and being available to capture by a bicycle-mounted camera. Second, we construct a prototype system using an object detection and recognition algorithm to confirm the feasibility of this method for identifying which side of the roadway on which the bicycle rides. Then, the experiment to test feasibility is conducted using the images of arrow feather road markings photographed in the real environment. As a result, it is confirmed that the bicycle riding side could be identified with high accuracy. Consequently, we show the feasibility of the bicycle riding side identification method, which does not use dedicated sensors considering the flexibility of bicycle mobility and by using asymmetric-shaped road marking orientation and a common camera.