Image processing system for cruise control system

The apparatus has a traffic signal characteristics obtaining unit (1) obtaining traffic signal characteristics. The obtaining unit has an image pick-up device e.g. TV camera, that is mounted on a vehicle, and measures a red light period , a green light period, a yellow light period and an elapsed time from beginning of a cycle to a current time as taking green, yellow and red light periods as one cycle. An independent claim is also included for a cruise control system for a vehicle.