Heatmap is a type of data visualisation technique that visualises the intensity or importance of certain areas in images. With Heatmap, different intensities of data are shown using colours. Warm colours (e.g. red, yellow) represent high levels of intensity or importance, while cool colours (e.g. blue, green) represent low levels of intensity or importance.

I recorded the traffic video myself last year. I started the project by masking the part I wanted to use on this video. I detected moving objects with motion detection techniques. I filtered out the noise and selected large objects when they appeared on the screen. I made large objects leave traces on a blank image of the same size as the video I used and converted this image from Grayscale to Jet Colormap in OpenCV. I displayed the Heatmap I created on the screen both independently and by combining it with the original image.

Such analyses provide critical information for urban planners, transport engineers and local governments. Important steps can be taken to better manage traffic congestion, improve transport infrastructure and provide a more comfortable travel experience for our citizens.