Methods for aligning images captured by aerial imaging platforms with a road network described by geo-referenced data, including the steps of: (a) identifying locations of moving vehicles in at least one image; (b) estimating a coordinate transformation that aligns the identified locations with the road network described by the geo-referenced data; and (c) outputting the estimated coordinate transformation or applying the estimated coordinate transformation to at least one image to align the image(s) with the road network described by the geo-referenced data. The methods may classify post-transformation detection as on-road detections or non-on-road detections to improve accuracy and synergistically use transformations and proximity to the road network to improve vehicle detection. The methods may identify vehicle trajectories to further improve accuracy and synergistically use transformations and proximity to the road network to improve estimates of vehicle trajectories.