Abstract: A new algorithm of road crack detection based on fractional differential and image morphology is proposed. Fractional differential can effectively enhance high-frequency signals, medium-frequency signals and non-linearly reserved low-frequency signals. After fractional differential covering module is constructed and applied to road images, road crack signal especially weak signal in smooth area reinforcement is implemented. Then in order to filter isolated noise and detect crack, enhanced image is operated by image morphology operators and a group of median filters. Experimental results proved that the algorithm is more robust and effective to detect road cracks especially for exiguous cracks than traditional algorithms.

Key words: image processing, road crack detection, fractional differential, morphology operators