Automated system and method for determining positional order through photometric and geospatial data

A method for determining order of vehicles crossing a threshold plane within a dynamic environment, the method comprising:

• identifying one or more moving vehicles, each comprising a GPS receiver for determining a respective vehicle location;
• positioning a reference object relative to a fixed object having a known position, the reference object having an image capturing device and a primary GPS receiver, whereby the reference object and the fixed object define a threshold plane between them, whereby the threshold plane is subject to movements induced by the movements of the reference object;
• capturing images with the image capturing device of the vehicles crossing the threshold plane;
• receiving geospatial data gathered from the GPS receivers, the primary GPS receiver, and the known position of the fixed object;
• receiving photometric data gathered by the image capturing device;
• comparing the position of each vehicle, with a processor, at a time each vehicle crosses the threshold plane by analyzing the photometric data and the geospatial data, and by decoding super frame data and time delta data to determine a positional order at which each vehicle crossed the threshold plane;
• and
• indicating or displaying the positional order determined by the processor.

A system for determining order of vehicles across a threshold plane within a dynamic environment, the system comprising:

• a plurality of GPS receivers, each mounted on respective moving vehicles;
• a reference object having an image capturing device and a primary GPS receiver, whereby the reference object is subject to movement induced by the dynamic environment;
• a fixed object having a known position relative to the reference object, the primary GPS and the fixed object defining a threshold plane between them, whereby the threshold plane is subject to movements induced by movement of the reference object, wherein the image recording device has a focal point directed toward the fixed object at least along the threshold plane;
• photometric data gathered by the image capturing device and geospatial data gathered by the GPS receivers, the primary GPS receiver, and the known location of the fixed object;
• and
• a processor configured to receive the photometric data and geospatial data and to determine a positional order at which the vehicles cross the threshold plane by comparing the position of each vehicle relative to the threshold plane.