Information Page: Multi-Camera Data Collection for Computer Vision Study at EPFL

1. Purpose of the Research Project

​The objective of this project is to comprehensively understand the dynamics and flow of crowd movement across the EPFL campus. As urban spaces like universities witness varied crowd densities and movement patterns, capturing such data can significantly contribute to improving infrastructural planning, emergency evacuation procedures, and overall crowd management.​Using advanced computer vision techniques, this study aims to capture multi-camera data across strategic locations in the EPFL campus. This will enable us to evaluate state-of-the-art algorithms for crowd detection, tracking, and counting applications. By encompassing longer timeframes, diverse campus zones, and significant variations in crowd density, we hope to provide a valuable benchmark for future research in this domain.

​The map above illustrates the areas under surveillance for this study. If you wish to avoid these recording zones, the map also highlights alternate routes (shown in blue) that you can take to navigate around the campus without entering the monitored areas.​

2. Collection Timeframe

Data will be collected from 28.05.2024 to 31.05.2024, between 7am and 8pm daily. If you’re on the EPFL campus during these times and wish to avoid being recorded, please refer to the map above for the areas under surveillance and the alternate routes available.​​

3. Protection of Personal Data (How is my data protected?)

Type of Data Collected

​Only video data will be collected. No audio or other identifying information will be captured.​

​By law, EPFL may collect and use personal data for research purposes (art. 36c of the Federal Law on the Federal Institutes of Technology of 4 October 1991), and we rely on this legal basis to legitimize our processing of personal data.​

Anonymization and Deletion

​The term “anonymized” means that your personal information has been sufficiently aggregated and protected, preventing anyone from re-identifying you. This means that no one can re-identify you unless they go to great lengths to do so. Faces in the video will be blurred to ensure anonymization as soon as possible after collection. Once this anonymization process is complete, the original unblurred data will be discarded. It’s important to note that absolute anonymity cannot be guaranteed, but we employ rigorous methods to ensure the highest level of data protection.​

Storage

​Security measures. After collection, your personal data will be stored on a secure server until it can be fully anonymized. Until fully anonymized, it will not be used by anyone for any purpose other than the anonymization process. No personal information other than video will be collected or stored. Only a limited number of people can see the raw video and only for anonymization purposes.​

Duration. Finally, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data as much as possible. Your personal data (raw video) will be stored for a maximum of 6 months before being deleted. The anonymized version of the data will be retained for a period that aligns with the research objectives.​

4. Participants’ Rights

​Your presence in the video data is entirely voluntary. You can request the removal of specific video segments where you might appear by providing a timeframe.​Additionally, you can exercise the following rights:​

  • Right to withdraw: See section 5 for details
  • Right to be informed: Request further details about the project and your data usage
  • Right of access: Know what data we hold about you
  • Right to object: Object to data processing in certain circumstances
  • Right to modify or delete: Modify or delete your personal data unless restricted by law
  • Right to portability: Request your personal data in a transferable format
  • Right to lodge a complaint: If you believe your data has been misused, lodge a complaint with the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner or your local authority.​

5. Withdrawal from the Project

​Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to withdraw:​

  • We will not collect further video data of you.
  • Video data already captured will be discarded if you’re identifiable within the specified timeframe.
  • After anonymization, if there’s a justified concern about the process, you can request to be removed from the anonymized video sequences. The removal will be done with an inpainting technique guaranteeing a complete removal of the subject from the video.​

6. Recipients of the Data

​The captured video data after anonymization may be shared with:

  • Other research partners, both in Switzerland and internationally
  • Scientific journals for publication purposes
  • Authorities responsible for overseeing research projects, such as Swiss or foreign ethics committees or Swiss or foreign data protection authorities​

7. Publication

The results derived from this data may be published for academic and research purposes. However, all published data will be anonymized, ensuring that individual identities are protected.​

8. Results of the Research

​At the end of the research project, we will provide participants (by updating this page) with a link to the publication, press release, or a summary of the results. For further information, contact the principal investigator using the contact information below.​

9. Compensation for Damage

Damages caused as a result of this study will be covered if EPFL is held responsible for the occurrence of such damages. If you have suffered any damage, please contact the principal investigator immediately.

You are nevertheless required to obtain accident and health insurance (in general, compulsory in Switzerland)

10. Contact Details

​For any concerns, questions, or further information, please contact:

​EPFL CVLAB
Prof. Pascal Fua, Director, EPFL CVLab
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +41-21-693-75-19