SPATRA advances beyond the state of the art through a novel use of satellite data in land transport applications. Besides this general contribution, SPATRA innovative solutions will have potential impact to each considered mode of land transport, road and rail.
In the road transport domain, SPATRA's innovative approach to logistics and traffic flow monitoring using satellite-based EO data has the potential to revolutionize the way we manage and optimize transportation networks. While acknowledging the limitations of real-time detection, the project will integrate other open data sources such
as weather patterns to develop more sophisticated classifiers that can predict congestion with higher accuracy. By providing prediction information on traffic flows and congestion based on Sentinel-2, assisted with EGNSS-based drones and location trackers, assisted with open data, SPATRA will be capable to detect and predict the traffic flow. The project will contribute to the field of smart mobility and logistics by developing practical solutions that can be implemented in the short term while laying the groundwork for future research and development, thereby improving traffic flow management and logistics operations through the power of satellite-based monitoring, drone imaging and open data sources. This will result ultimately with reduced economic costs associated with congestion and delays while also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.
Regarding the rail workstream, current satellite-based imagery offers solutions primarily for vegetation intrusion detection, and natural hazard risk assessments, leading to reduced needs for “manual” onsite inspections. The later besides the economic advantage, cost reduction leads to safety increase and risk reduction to personnel, as no personnel walking along the railroad line for the purpose of monitoring is required. SPATRA proposes a novel service that will offer solution to problem caused by extreme temperatures that are consequences of climate changes. In this way, SPATRA will have great impact to railway safety in current climate circumstances and great economic impacts to rail industry as reducing the unnecessary delays and improving the management.
