NAVIBox: Real-Time Vehicle–Pedestrian Risk Prediction System in an Edge Vision Environment

This study introduces a novel system, termed NAVIBox, designed to proactively identify vehicle–pedestrian risks using vision sensors deployed within edge computing devices in the field. NAVIBox consolidates all operational components into a single unit, resembling an intelligent CCTV system, and is built upon four core pipelines: motioned-video capture, object detection and tracking, trajectory refinement, and predictive risk recognition and warning decision. The operation begins with the capture of motioned video through a frame difference approach. Road users are subsequently detected, and their trajectories are determined using a deep learning-based lightweight object detection model, in conjunction with the Centroid tracker. In the trajectory refinement stage, the system converts the perspective of the original image into a top view and conducts grid segmentation to capture road users’ behaviors precisely. Lastly, vehicle–pedestrian risks are predicted by analyzing these extracted behaviors, and alert signals are promptly dispatched to drivers and pedestrians when risks are anticipated. The feasibility and practicality of the proposed system have been verified through implementation and testing in real-world test sites within Sejong City, South Korea. This systematic approach presents a comprehensive solution to proactively identify and address vehicle–pedestrian risks, enhancing safety and efficiency in urban environments.