INTEGRATION OF DEEP LEARNING MODELS FOR VEHICLE COUNTING: TOWARDS OPTIMIZED PLANNING OF URBAN CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURES

Abstract. Amidst the rising prevalence of electric vehicles (EV) and the corresponding need for adequate charging infrastructures, this study presents an innovative application of deep learning models to analyze urban traffic. Utilizing the YOLO v3 model, our research focuses on developing a prototype for counting vehicles at an urban roundabout connecting three main roads, providing essential data for planning EV charging infrastructures. This work involves adapting and optimizing the YOLO v3 model to accurately identify and count vehicles passing through the roundabout. The aim is to measure traffic volume and identify circulation trends, which are crucial for understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of vehicles. The collected data not only estimate the number of EVs likely to traverse this area but also predict the needs for charging infrastructure in and around this specific roundabout. Our prototype demonstrated high accuracy in vehicle counting, allowing detailed analysis of traffic patterns at different times of the day. This analysis reveals significant variations in traffic flows, providing valuable insights into the most suitable times and locations for installing EV charging stations. While this study focuses on a single roundabout, it establishes a precedent for using advanced deep learning techniques in assessing EV charging infrastructure needs in broader urban contexts. The results suggest that such methods can be extended to other urban areas for more comprehensive and effective planning of EV charging infrastructures, thus contributing to more sustainable and intelligent urban mobility management.