Low-Cost Object Detection Models for Traffic Control Devices through Domain Adaption of Geographical Regions

Automated inspection systems utilizing computer vision technology are effective in managing traffic control devices (TCDs); however, they face challenges due to the limited availability of training datasets and the difficulty in generating new datasets. To address this, our study establishes a benchmark for cost-effective model training methods that achieve the desired accuracy using data from related domains and YOLOv5, a one-stage object detector known for its high accuracy and speed. In this study, three model cases were developed using distinct training approaches: (1) training with COCO-based pre-trained weights, (2) training with pre-trained weights from the source domain, and (3) training with a synthesized dataset mixed with source and target domains. Upon comparing these model cases, this study found that directly applying source domain data to the target domain is unfeasible, and a small amount of target domain data is necessary for optimal performance. A model trained with fine-tuning-based domain adaptation using pre-trained weights from the source domain and minimal target data, proved to be the most resource-efficient approach. These results contribute valuable guidance for practitioners aiming to develop TCD models with limited data, enabling them to build optimal models while conserving resources.