Transportation security applications

Three technology advancements are set to transform the transport industry ‒ command and control technology, connectivity, and the cloud. The combination of these will enable operators to support the growing demand for safer, and more connected, passenger journeys. According to Synectics, capitalising on the opportunity that new technology presents will help transport operators improve safety, security, and service efficiency, while also supporting the transition to seamless, multi-modal passenger travel. The global surveillance specialist will use InnoTrans 2018 ‒ taking place from 18-21 September in Berlin ‒ to explain the opportunities and migration path that operators can take advantage of to reach this reality. Surveillance and data management solutions We are looking forward to discussing the opportunities with visitors at this year’s InnoTrans" Greg Alcorn, Divisional Director for Transport and Infrastructure at Synectics, explained: “For over 30 years we’ve been providing surveillance and data management solutions for on-vehicle, transport infrastructure, and public space sectors. Until relatively recently, these sectors have operated very separately. However, with an increase in urbanisation and the Smart City trend, these independent environments are now merging." “This change is driven by two key factors. Passenger expectation is a crucial driver for change ‒ members of the public want seamless travel where they are informed at every stage, and confidence that operators are working in a coordinated way to deliver efficiency. Furthermore, the global focus on transport security is pushing organisations and agencies to look at how they can work more collaboratively with each other, emergency services, and local authorities." “Meeting these expectations can seem a daunting prospect, but by using the right technology in the right way, it needn’t be. We are looking forward to discussing the opportunities with visitors at this year’s InnoTrans.” Unifying data from on-vehicle systems Synergy 3, and other transport-specific solutions, can be implemented by operators to unlock capabilities at their own paceSynectics (Hall 4.1 / 310) will be supporting this message by demonstrating how its command and control platform, Synergy 3, and other transport-specific solutions, can be implemented by operators to unlock capabilities at their own pace. “The first step for many,” said Jürgen Fuchs, Director of Strategic Projects at Synectics, “is to adopt a ‘back office function’ that is able to unify data from on-vehicle systems – CCTV, vehicle trackers, telematics, ticketing, journey management, passenger info, and passenger WiFi etc. – to gain an accurate picture of service usage, passenger safety, and vehicle performance." “Many customers already use our on-vehicle solutions to do exactly this. They can investigate incidents more quickly, integrate with third-party systems, reduce fuel consumption through informed service and route planning, and even improve training for staff using the data gathered. However, where things get even more interesting is when you start looking at vehicle-to-ground connectivity.” Centrally managed train-to-ground solution According to Synectics, Synergy 3 is an integral component in this logical progression, enabling static, centrally based teams to gain this same unified view in real time, over a WiFi or cellular network. In the last year, for example, the company developed and delivered a train-to-ground solution that enabled a European rapid transit operator to receive, manage, and respond to on-vehicle passenger help requests remotely from a central command centre. Command and control technology facilitates major security improvements such as persons of interest tracking and incident response"This opens up a considerable amount of potential for the transport industry. Jürgen continued “Integration with specific systems, as well as the ability to translate real-time data into action and respond to threats, presents so much opportunity for the converging worlds of on-vehicle and infrastructure." Facilitating security improvements “Real-time, precise service updates for passengers (including details of connecting transport services for more streamlined transfers), location-based advertising, and improved passenger help services are demonstrable benefits that improve customer satisfaction." “Command and control technology facilitates major security improvements such as persons of interest tracking and incident response. Operators have the functionality at their fingertips to work more collaboratively with external services and agencies to ensure the safety and security of passengers at every stage of their connected journey.” It is a collaborative, connected future Synectics feels will only be further strengthened with the adoption of cloud-based solutions. Greg concluded: “Few sectors are likely to benefit more from cloud capabilities than the transportation industry. Improving passenger safety and experience Connecting IoT devices and transmitting information securely to the cloud has significant advantages"“Connecting IoT devices and transmitting information securely to the cloud has significant advantages for managing and sharing information. Within transport organisations, it means, for example, that different departments can access live data dashboards tailored to exact needs without duplicating effort, saving both time and resources. Crucially, it also allows operators to rapidly and confidently share video and data evidence with relevant external parties including emergency services and authorities. “The net effect is a highly connected, highly effective transport network where all relevant parties can work together to improve passenger experience and safety.” Synectics, with offices located in Germany, UK, US, UAE, Singapore, and Macau, is ideally suited to delivering end-to-end, converged solutions that connect the entire transport landscape. The company has specialist expertise across on-vehicle systems in rail, light rail, coach, and bus with over 27,000 systems deployed worldwide, as well as a long track record in network, station, and critical infrastructure systems including the fourth largest metro system in Europe. Its solutions currently protect over five billion passenger journeys each year.

Two giant video surveillance companies have responded to a United States government ban on use of their products included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company and Dahua Technology Company are mentioned by name in a section buried in the giant military reauthorisation bill. A ban on use of their products will take effect “not later than one year after” the law is enacted. Response from the manufacturers Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress. “This legislation was quickly drafted without sufficient evidence, review, or investigation to warrant the video surveillance technology restrictions outlined in section 889,” says Hikvision. “The process resulted in an ambiguous provision with potentially far-reaching implications for American business and represents a rejection of the U.S. government’s commitment to use a standards-based approach when evaluating security risks in federal procurement.”  Dahua was less direct and did not specifically mention the ban in its statement. “Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market,” says the statement from Zhejiang Dahua Technology Ltd. The rest of the statement centres on Dahua’s ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market and addresses possible motivations for the ban (see below). Impact on contractor business Dahua’s statement expressed its ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market Hikvision also cited a recent article published in The Hill that quoted Chris Nickelson, a Missouri-based contractor, who argued that a ban on Hikvision products would actually harm small American businesses like his. According to the article, Nickelson said allegations against Hikvision have hurt his business, and he decried a lack of evidence supporting the allegations. “Somebody still needs to show me that there’s any real meat and potatoes behind any accusations that have been made towards Hikvision,” Nickelson is quoted in The Hill. The rest of Hikvision’s statement: “Hikvision is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and has made efforts to ensure the security of its products go beyond what is mandated by the U.S. government, including certification under the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 and opening our Source Code Transparency Center (SCTC), which makes the company’s source code available for review by law enforcement authorities and government agencies in the U.S. and Canada.”We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge" Company statement on the NDAA Here is more of Dahua’s statement on the National Defense Authorization Act: “Dahua Technology is a global leading IoT video surveillance solution provider operating in 37 countries and dedicated to bringing our customers innovative solutions. Dahua Technology has been publicly traded on Shenzhen stock exchange market since 2008 and is not a government-owned entity. We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge. We have provided remedies to correct those issues with our customers. We take cybersecurity very seriously by implementing a seven-module cybersecurity baseline into our product design. Meanwhile, we continue to work with 3rd party partners like DBAPP Security and Synopsys Technology, to rigorously test our products to combat against current cybersecurity vulnerabilities."To personalise our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor" Dahua’s statement continues: “With over 6,000 R&D Dahua professionals, we strive to provide secure products and solutions to our valued customers to secure what they care about. Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market. We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market. "We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market.” Hikvision comments on GSX presence Hikvision has also issued a statement about its downsized presence at the upcoming GSX trade show (formerly ASIS) in Las Vegas. A Hikvision spokesperson confirmed that the decision to abandon Hikvision’s large booth presence was made earlier this summer and was not a result of the ban. Here is Hikvision’s statement about GSX: “As in previous years, Hikvision will be well represented at the GSX show in September in Las Vegas. To personalise our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor. Instead, a contingency of Hikvision professionals will attend the conference and host partner meetings and product demonstrations in meeting facilities throughout the trade show. "As a total solution provider, Hikvision looks forward to meeting with end users, A&E consultants, integrators and other partners to discuss how Hikvision's full suite of products can help address the challenges facing security directors and the broader C-Suite.”

Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) are a pillar of today's Smart City concept. ITS integrates video communications into traffic infrastructure to advance driver safety, reduce traffic congestion, and lower fuel consumption. As governments strive to achieve these goals with ITS, the high-speed point-to-point serial communication standard CoaXPress (CXP) is playing a vital role, especially in the migration of older analogue systems to networked digital video platforms. CXP allows for the ‘repurposing’ of the coaxial cables already installed in the majority of ITS infrastructures, eliminating the cost of expensive new cabling such as twisted pair or fibre. Best of all, CoaXPress eases the migration from analogue to digital video without any compromise in performance. CoaXPress enables ITS integrators to simply replace low-performing analogue cameras with digital megapixel models for monitoring, controlling and managing traffic" Monitoring traffic with digital cameras Donal Waide is Director of Sales for BitFlow, Inc., a manufacturer of frame grabbers and an early leader in CXP. According to Waide, the advantages of CXP make it ideal for ITS in both public and commercial enterprises: "CoaXPress enables ITS integrators to simply replace low-performing analogue cameras with today's digital megapixel models for monitoring, controlling and managing traffic and enhancing security." Advantages of CoaXPress CXP's bandwidth is 6.25 Gbps per channel with a maximum transmission speed of 25 Gbps. A re-developed CoaXPress 12 standard will be available later this year with double that data rate, achieving higher values than 10 GigE Vision. In ITS applications, the five to seven metres restriction of USB cables is insufficient to transmit camera data long distances, as are Ethernet cables. CXP-6 speed, currently the highest speed and best quality, allows up to 40 meters (131 feet) between the frame grabber as the host, and the camera as the end device, without any loss in quality. Even cable distances up to 100 meters (328 feet) are possible within levels CXP-1 to CXP-3. This is an ample distance to get from an overview camera at 10 meters up, or a red light camera at 30 meters from the junction box. Transmission adapters allow longer connections to be implemented at all speeds. Precise camera synchronisation CoaXPress uses a single coaxial cable for power supply, controls end data transmission to ensure a simple connection with minimal cable clutter. CoaXPress provides precise camera synchronisation and very low latencies. Synchronisation is performed only via the frame grabber and does not require an additional trigger signal as with both USB3 and GigE. For example, if a car moving quickly through an intersection is to be captured and evaluated from several perspectives, the precise triggering of all cameras and the synchronisation between the devices are crucial for high-quality analysis. It is here that CXP excels. While a higher resolution analogue camera may offer a solution, an interface is needed to bring the data back to the processing centre without latency Useful in license plate recognition To better appreciate these advantages let's look at license plate readers, an essential function of ITS. In Europe, license plates are large enough that they can be easily read: 18- to 20-inches long, 4-inches tall with large bold, unhindered fonts. In contrast, a U.S. license plate is only 12-inches x 6-inches. Apart from up to seven alphanumeric characters, there is also a state name, sticker and an image on the plate. This leads to a lot of confusion when using low resolution analogue cameras; for example, deciphering whether the plate of a car that drove through a toll booth without paying was ABC123 or A8CIZ3. The processing centre would have to verify the car make and interaction with the registry, which in turn dramatically reduces efficiency. If the resolution and data delivery were at high speed, however, ABC123 or A8CIZ3 would be a simple read. While a higher resolution analogue camera may offer a solution, an interface is needed to bring the data back to the processing centre without latency. This distance is typically much further than twisted pair cable can handle even with repeaters. CoaXPress combines the simplicity of standard coaxial cable with state-of-the-art high speed serial data technology Crystal clear images The CoaXPress interface is a major benefit in this instance. Legacy analogue traffic cameras still make up the majority of cameras on U.S. highways. Analogue images are transmitted back at a dismal 11Mb/S over coaxial cables to the processing centre’s computers. Now consider that same volume of data coming back on a CXP link (650MB/S) at 6.25 Gbps. This would enable images to be crystal clear and also allow for better information dissemination about traffic backlogs, accidents or breakdowns. Images would even be clear enough to be seen on a smartphone app. And because CXP offers Power-over-Coax, there would be no need for additional cabling work. CoaXPress combines the simplicity of standard coaxial cable with state-of-the-art high speed serial data technology. The CoaXPress standard meets the requirements of ITS for extended cable length, high speed, and ease of use.

To provide a practical solution to the monitoring of transportation infrastructure, where maximum situational awareness is paramount, Bosch Building Technologies have combined the innovation behind their video security cameras with the video management expertise of Intelligent Security Systems (ISS). ISS is a developer of video management and video intelligence solutions. Their video management platform, SecurOS, focuses on securing large mission-critical applications such as industrial and manufacturing sites, transportation systems, banks, sports arenas, retail locations, and campuses & office complexes. Transportation security provides surveillance challenges in varying degrees of situation and scale, so effective license plate recognition is crucial SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition ISS differentiating video intelligence and image analytics solutions, whether it is Face Capture & Recognition (SecurOS FACE), License Plate Recognition (SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition), or Container Character Recognition (SecurOS CARGO) provide effective monitoring solutions to the transportation sector. Transportation security provides surveillance challenges in varying degrees of situation and scale, so effective license plate recognition is crucial. From tunnels and bridges where a situation can change in seconds, to regulating traffic flow into a city and capturing a profile of each vehicle, Bosch and ISS can provide answers to the questions that matter. Has a particular vehicle been permitted access to a specific area? Has that vehicle been stolen? What’s the insurance or toll subscription status? Has that vehicle been authorised to operate as a taxi? The capabilities even stretch to large-scale entry and exit points such as ports, borders and airport car parks. The ISS certified Bosch cameras responsible for capturing this data are incredibly robust and built to produce usable images 24/7 in the harshest conditions Cameras with built-in LPR mode Monitoring which vehiclesd are entering an area, and checking their legitimacy to be there, has never been more critical. Having the capability to capture license plates of every vehicle moving in the designated area give users complete awareness of traffic flows and usage patterns, allowing them to configure and manage their monitoring preferences efficiently and permit secure data exchanges with other operational management systems and services for efficient infrastructure alignment. If driving conditions were perfect all-year round, the job of an operations manager, for example, would be quite straightforward. But the reality is quite the opposite. That is why the ISS certified Bosch cameras responsible for capturing this data are incredibly robust and built to produce usable images 24/7 in the harshest conditions, including after dark by employing a supplementary infrared light. The selected cameras have a special License Plate Recognition (LPR) mode which is developed in collaboration with ISS to deliver accurate information even when faced with the challenges of glaring headlights and fast-moving vehicles. Utilising advanced algorithms results in a level of accuracy that can distinguish letters from numbers which is a crucial advantage, particularly in emergency situations Accurate information in all weather conditions High standards are applied to the quality of the images captured. By incorporating the SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition (LPR/ANPR) solution Bosch and ISS can provide several unique benefits for users, including the ability to accurately capture license plate information at 210 km/h (130 mph) in all kinds of weather conditions, including light fog, rain, and snow. Furthermore, utilising advanced algorithms results in a level of accuracy that can distinguish letters from numbers (so an “8” is not mistaken for a “B”, for example) which is a crucial advantage, particularly in emergency situations. The partnership with ISS supports Bosch’s belief that the logical next-step for security is to enable customers to repurpose the vast amounts of video data that they now can capture. Interpreting video data directly at source helps to improve levels of security substantially and can also offer clear business advantages. 

Hanwha Techwin has strengthened its range of Intelligent Traffic Management solutions with the introduction of Wisenet Group ANPR cameras. Taking advantage of a powerful chipset, Wisenet Group ANPR cameras are an ideal edge-based solution for small sites with multiple entrances/exits or roadways.  Camera-to-camera IP communication technology enables up to 4 Wisenet Group ANPR cameras, (1 master camera and 3 slaves) to work together. The cameras recognise vehicle number plates and simultaneously transmit data to a single web-based display. Sharing many of the features and attributes of the Wisenet ANPR single use solution introduced at the end of 2017, Wisenet Group ANPR provides the opportunity to automatically control the movement of white listed cars through barriers via camera relay outputs, as well as provide valuable car park management information, such as ‘time spent’ and occupancy rates. Users can deploy a highly-effective ANPR solution without having to evaluate the myriad of specialist analytics solutions on the market" Intelligent traffic management solutions The comprehensive range of ANPR based Wisenet Intelligent Traffic Management solutions have been developed by Hanwha Techwin in partnership with analytics experts, FF Group. In addition to Wisenet Group and single site ANPR cameras, the range also includes a number plate server solution for large site management and Cloud based options for multiple sites and cameras. “Collectively, these ANPR solutions provide car park access control for business applications, as well as large scale city wide based systems which help local authorities keep people safe, enforce parking regulations and detect other traffic infringements,” said Bob (H.Y.) Hwang Ph.D., Managing Director of Hanwha Techwin Europe. “The key benefit of the deep integration of FF Group’s analytics with our Wisenet cameras is that users can deploy a highly-effective ANPR solution without having to evaluate the myriad of specialist analytics solutions on the market.”

At ISC West 2018, visitors to the Genetec Inc. booth #26065 will be able to learn about the company’s new range of market-specific solutions specifically developed to address the needs of airports, cities, educational institutions, retailers, and transportation customers. “By leveraging the growing availability of valuable yet untapped sources of data, these portfolios create a host of new opportunities for organisations to find synergies between their security, operations, and business intelligence needs,” comments Jimmy Palatsoukas, Director of Product Marketing at Genetec. Genetec Citigraf is a decision support system ideally suited for law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety agencies Genetec Airport Sense At ISC West, airport customers will be particularly interested in looking at Genetec Airport Sense, an advanced operational analytics solution that correlates data provided by existing security sensors to produce actionable intelligence about passenger flow, airport security, and overall operations. Attendees will also be able to see how Genetec Security Center, a unified security platform, Genetec Clearance, a digital evidence management system, and Genetec Mission Control, a collaborative decision management system, are helping leading airports around the world heighten security, improve operations, and grow retail revenue. Genetec Citigraf Already installed in several cities around the world, Genetec Citigraf is a decision support system ideally suited for law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety agencies. Citigraf was first introduced in the city of Chicago, where it is helping to improve collaboration, shorten the first-response time of reported incidents, and significantly reduce crime. Featuring a powerful correlation and analytics engine, as well as a unified view of public safety operations, Citigraf instantly detects and displays relevant information from disparate systems for inter-agency collaboration. The proliferation of new surveillance systems, body-worn cameras, in-car video and mobile phones has created more ways to gather evidence, while exponentially increasing the quantity of data collected. A digital evidence management system, Genetec Clearance allows cities, police officers, investigators, and security managers to collect, manage, and share digital evidence from a variety of sources. To help solve challenges such as traffic congestion, roadway accidents, and parking scarcity, Genetec recently introduced Genetec Traffic Sense Genetec Traffic Sense The efficient flow of people, vehicles, and goods throughout cities and communities is a fundamental aspect of everyday life and business activities. To help solve challenges such as traffic congestion, roadway accidents, and parking scarcity, Genetec recently introduced Genetec Traffic Sense. This unified traffic operations platform brings together traditional traffic operations systems with security and incident response platforms and uses advanced analytics to detect road incidents and slowdowns, automates response, and provides operators with a consolidated view of events. Genetec Security Center and Mission Control Teaching, research, and learning happen best when faculty, staff, and students feel safe. With thousands of students and staff to protect, sprawling campuses, and emerging threats, campus security is often left feeling overwhelmed. Working together, Genetec Security Center and Mission Control increase situational intelligence and enable security personnel to prepare for, and effectively respond to, common occurrences and emergency situations. By unifying all aspects of campus security, such as access control, video, ALPR (Automated License Plate Recognition), communications, and intrusion, Security Center enhances the efficiency of campus police. Not only do they benefit from a global view of all their buildings and campuses, but they are better equipped to centrally act on threats at a moment’s notice. Genetec Retail Sense Genetec Retail Sense enables brick and mortar retailers to increase operational intelligence to enhance customer service Retailers today are behooved to gather and rely on the same insightful customer analytics that online merchants can harvest automatically. Security Center offers retailers enterprise-wide visibility of sales floors, point-of-sale (POS) and cash-handling areas, distribution centers, and parking facilities so that they can efficiently safeguard staff, patrons, buildings and equipment. When used with Security Center, Genetec Retail Sense enables brick and mortar retailers to increase operational intelligence to enhance customer service by transforming existing video surveillance content into powerful consumer insights. Genetec solutions are designed to help public transit agencies develop and maintain the most efficient operations and processes to provide passengers with positive experiences in a secure environment. When transit and security personnel manage operations from a single, unified platform, such as Security Center, they have easy access to all the data being collected by their physical security system. With this bird’s-eye-view of their environment, they can respond quickly and knowledgeably to any incidents as they arise.

Every day, 150,000 parcels are transported by the French DPD group, which makes nearly 55 million parcels per year. E-commerce is growing the parcel business and, consequently, the transportation volume of parcel service and logistics companies. Online shopping would be unthinkable for the consumers without the speedy delivery of the ordered goods - therefore it is self-evident to keep track of shipments on their way to the consignee, in order to guarantee a correct delivery.­ DPD France video systems DPD France is part of La Poste Groupe, the largest parcel service provider in the country. The company operates numerous logistics depots, in which the consignments are collected, sorted and reloaded according to their destination. The timely transport of the parcel volumes, which are handled in the depots day by day, requires a high level of organisation and a precise monitoring of all processes in order to be able to ascertain where a shipment is currently located. In order to cope with the high volume of shipments, the depots are equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as conveyor belt systems and scanner terminals, which allow the tracking of the route any shipment takes within the facility. On-schedule operations and reliable delivery are important quality criteria in the parcel logistics industry.DPD France has been using video systems for some time, which monitor the processes inside the depots For this reason, DPD France has been using video systems for some time, which monitor the processes inside the depots. However, these were mostly analogue systems, which should now be replaced by modern IP-based video solutions in order to document the sorting and transfer processes of the packages, too. Search for a more flexible system As part of the modernisation, DPD intended to replace the old technology with more open and ­ flexible systems providing extended search options in order to be able to track parcels as quickly as possible. The solution should be very reliable and, for the future, be simply expandable by additional camera channels to keep up with the growing volume of shipments. Furthermore, the software should be easy to use for employees, in order to avoid complex trainings and long learning times. The detailed and reliable dispatch tracking, as well as the surveillance of the depots to resolve cases of loss and to optimise the processes, were therefore set as project targets. The challenge of the project was also to secure the depots in compliance with TAPA - which mainly means monitoring all entrance and exit gates for at least 17 hours a day as well as motion-based image recording outside this period. The SeeTec Cayuga software should be easy to use for employees, in order to avoid complex trainings and long learning times The solution: SeeTec Cayuga With the Cayuga product line, SeeTec offers a powerful and flexibly extendable video management software that has been supplemented by the SeeTec BVI Logistics module with scanner interface for the DPD depots in France. In addition, I/O modules are used in both depots to enable the transmission and reception of control signals. Among other things, doors and gates can be opened directly by pushing a button in the SeeTec user interface. The expandability of the Multi Solution Platform allows new components to be added at any time - for example, to automatically capture and analyse the number plates of incoming vehicles. The video management software SeeTec Cayuga sets itself apart from competitors by the openness and flexibility of the system as well as by the support of a large number of different camera manufacturers and models.SeeTec Cayuga sets itself apart from competitors by the openness and flexibility of the system as well as by the support of a large number of different camera manufactures and models Successful result in warehouse management system Based on SeeTec Cayuga and SeeTec BVI Logistics, all conveyor belts, entrance and exit doors as well as the entire interior zone are now being monitored with 280 HD cameras in Tours and 380 in Beaune. This means that the complete process of shipment processing from incoming parcels via sorting by destination through to handover to the delivery agent is seamlessly documented. The data from the video system is combined with the data from the various barcode scanners along the conveyor belts for detailed evaluation. It is therefore possible to determine at what time each individual parcel was located at which point in the distribution centre. The installation of a total of 61 scanners from the manufacturer Sick ensures the monitoring of the conveyor belts, and these scanners export the barcodes from five viewing angles. On this basis, each parcel is tracked in the warehouse management system, assigned to the correct destination and, via a selector switch, forwarded to the right conveyor belt, which transports it to the appropriate loading bay. In the SeeTec user interface, a special research view can be used to search for parcels using different parameters such as barcode or tracking number. The software visualises the route of the shipment through the distribution centre on the basis of video recordings, so that the user can compare all available data and can localise error sources quickly. Thanks to these options the clarification of damage or loss can be significantly accelerated. Patrick Cavoue from DPD France is satis­fied with the result: “With the logistics solution from SeeTec, we are able to track the route each parcel is taking in our depots without any gaps – right up to the handover to the delivery agent. The SeeTec BVI client allows a targeted search without hours of searching through video footage and is therefore perfectly suited to quickly and efficiently identify loss or damage. This lowers our costs and ultimately leads to signi­ficantly increased customer satisfaction.”

Bialystok, a beautiful historic city of 300,000 in the northeast of Poland, is one of the nation’s major population centres. Devastated in World War II and languishing for a long period afterward, the city has seen a renaissance in recent years, with restoration of its beautiful architecture and modernisation of infrastructure as the Polish economy has boomed. One particular change that has come upon this serene city with unexpected rapidity is the increase in car ownership, which has more than tripled in Poland since 2005. Over the last decade, the growing need for an up-to-date, comprehensive traffic monitoring system has become increasingly apparent. Surveillance enhancement for traffic surges The growing need for an up-to-date, comprehensive traffic monitoring system has become increasingly apparent Cameras were the most costly item within the traditional traffic surveillance system originally deployed in Bialystok. To capture as many angles as possible, large numbers of cameras were required, often several at each intersection. As well as being an eyesore, this also meant that the cost of linking and synchronising the array of cameras to the central surveillance system was exorbitant. To avoid impacting traffic, which is heavy during the daylight hours, installation and construction work was usually carried out at night. The restricted hours for installation caused long delays in camera setups. Worse, the system itself no longer met the needs of the rapidly developing city. Despite the large numbers of cameras, the field of view of individual cameras was too narrow and when accidents happened it was difficult to try to piece together footage from several cameras in an attempt to reconstruct the incident. Often, there was no way to determine from the footage just who was at fault. A better solution was needed. Seamless collaboration to seamless implementation Zarzad Dróg Miejskich (ZDM), the municipal unit responsible for the road system in Bialystok needed to revamp, simplify, and upgrade their inefficient traffic camera system, so they worked with systems software manager Siemens and engaged VIVOTEK’s local distributor Suma Solutions to come up with an answer that would meet their needs. Siemens developed the system software around technology provided by VIVOTEK, a provider of IP surveillance solutions, offers dedicated traffic surveillance and management solutions, and has recently released its remarkable FE8174V H.264 5-megapixel fisheye network camera.The hemispherical images captured on camera can be automatically retooled to conventional projection specifications for easy viewing  The FE8174V is VIVOTEK’s fisheye network camera. This vandal-proof, WDR-enhanced, day/night camera features a detailed 5-megapixel resolution sensor with superior image quality. Its fisheye lens captures a 180° panoramic view when wall-mounted, and a stunning 360° surround view with no blind spots when mounted overhead. With its choice of display layouts—surround view, panoramic view, and regional view—it is the perfect solution for those who need coverage of wide, open areas as well as a high degree of flexibility. With the advanced image processing capabilities, the hemispherical images captured on camera can be automatically retooled to conventional projection specifications for easy viewing. As the camera’s primary application is outdoors and demands reliability in all conditions, a weather-proof IP66-rated and vandal-proof IK10-rated housing keeps the camera body clear of rain and dust and maintains functionality in all types of weather. The VIVOTEK FE8174V features a removable IR-cut filter, which is unquestionably the best choice for those who need a hardy, all-weather, 24/7 system with a full range of coverage. Enhanced resolution means better traffic safety ZDM installed 130 VIVOTEK FE8174V cameras at intersections throughout Bialystok. Now, with far fewer cameras, traffic controllers can get a clear, sharp overview of the whole field without any blind spots. VIVOTEK’s fisheye camera dewarping capabilities allow monitors to adopt different presentation modes A single VIVOTEK FE8174V provides the coverage of four outdoor bullet cameras in one image, and has resulted in cost savings at the same time as providing more complete coverage. Fewer cameras has also meant a decrease in costs associated with the backend management platform, network communications equipment, and storage equipment; it has also protected the aesthetic properties of the city by decluttering the skyline. Further, VIVOTEK’s fisheye camera dewarping capabilities allow monitors to adopt different presentation modes. Now, Management Center operators can easily monitor and verify traffic incidents and use the image recognition software to increase traffic control efficiency. The city of Bialystok has finally achieved a traffic management and surveillance system that can keep pace with its rapid growth while remaining in harmony with the local culture and architecture.

Levels of security inside the Aviation industry have never been higher; mainly due to increased terrorism threat levels across the globe, combined with a worldwide rise in smuggling activity. No airport is immune from these pressures and Ghana’s ‘Kotoka International’ can now claim to meet ACC3, the highest accreditation in the aviation industry, thanks to their recent investment in the latest generation of IP CCTV systems from Hikvision. Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport Established in 1994, Aviance Ghana Ltd provides a range of ground handling services at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport, situated just outside the capital, Accra. The airport itself is Ghana’s premier international flight centre and is capable of accepting large aircrafts, such as the latest generation of Boeing 747.Aviance Ghana is one of eight companies making up the Aviance Alliance, which operates at more than 100 airport locations across 4 continents It occupies more than 650 hectares, with two large terminals for domestic/regional and international/long-haul operations that are connected by an internal walkway. Terminal 2 is the principal international departure terminal and includes restaurants, duty-free shops and two Executive lounges for First and Business Class travellers. There are also two smaller terminals dedicated solely to diplomatic flights and military operations. Aviance Ghana is one of eight companies making up the Aviance Alliance, which operates at more than 100 airport locations across 4 continents. At Kotoka, the ground services include managing all the passenger concourse facilities in Terminal 2, plus passenger check-in and baggage handling, the loading and unloading of cargo from freight flights and a cargo warehouse operation for all import and export needs. Overriding security objectives Given that today’s security concerns require the aviation industry to maintain very high levels of protection measures, close scrutiny of the 650 hectare site that the airport occupies and protecting passengers, aircraft and cargo were the twin key objectives for Aviance when deciding to upgrade the Airport’s CCTV system. The company also recognised that intelligently deploying the camera infrastructure would be necessary to maximise cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The new Skylink CCTV system design uses four different types of Hikvision IP camera Aviance Ghana turned to Skylinks Technical Services Ltd and tasked them with designing a solution that would enable it to meet the EU’s ACC3 accreditation, the highest accreditation in the aviation industry. In turn, Skylinks turned to Hikvision for the design of an all-IP CCTV system capable of not only meeting the current challenges facing Aviance in its operation at Kotoka International Airport, but also providing an expandable base that could rise to meet future developments. The new Skylink CCTV system design uses four different types of Hikvision IP cameras connected to a 32-channel, RAID 5 NVR over an entirely new Gigabit network infrastructure. According to Haim Atanelov, Skylinks General Manager, “The final brief for the CCTV upgrade included installation of new cameras in Aviance’s import and export cargo warehouses, both entry and exit vehicle gates, within the terminal public areas, at the biometric log-in area and associated turnstiles, and within the VIP lounge areas. “In all of these disparate areas, we were challenged by Aviance to deliver high resolution images at all times and in all lighting conditions. It is these pressures that helped us in choosing Hikvision components, with their robust build quality, excellent video quality, and quick and simple installation and operation due to the user-friendly software. It also helped that the products offer very competitive prices and are accompanied by after-sales service and technical support from a first-class team.” Clear images in poor lighting conditions Aviance is committed to phasing out the old system in favour of a totally Hikvision IP system as soon as possible" The CCTV system uses a combination of IP66-rated dome and bullet cameras with either 1.3 or 3MP resolution. A total of four DS-2CD2312-I 1.3MP Outdoor Network Mini Dome cameras were installed, two in the public areas of the terminal and two at the main gates where passengers complete the biometric log-in process and enter through the turnstiles. To complement the dome cameras, nine EXIR bullet cameras were used: five DS-2CD2212-I5 1.3 MP units for general surveillance in the warehouses together with a pair of DS-2CD2232-I5 3MP units where greater resolution was required, and two DS-2CD2632F-I 3MP Vari-focal EXIR cameras for the main vehicle entry and exit gates. “All of the cameras offer great resolution, with 3D DNR and Digital WDR as standard, together with a full complement of alarm triggers, including line crossing and motion and intrusion detection” says Haim Atanelov. “But, the true day/night capability of the EXIR infrared technology meant that they always delivered clear images, even in the warehouses where lighting conditions are not good. Both the 1.3MP and 3MP bullet cameras employed in the warehouses live up to the 50-metre IR range quoted. What’s more, the 30-metre EXIR range of the mini dome cameras deployed in the terminal building is also very useful during night time hours when the building lighting is partially shut down.The new system has already proved its worth, helping to completely seal the export warehouse in particular “We also paid particular attention to the vehicle entry and exit points, in each case choosing the 3MP Vari-focal bullet cameras for their IP66 environmental protection, high resolution, advanced night viewing capabilities and zoom.” Into the future The new system has already proved its worth, helping to completely seal the export warehouse in particular and enabling Kotoka to meet ACC3 accreditation. Together with securing the import warehouse, which serves global airline and cargo brands such as British Airways, South African Airways, Alitalia, KLM, Virgin, DHL, Cargolux, etc., it means that the airport is well-placed to continue to attract business. “Aviance is especially pleased with the smooth integration of the Hikvision IP system with the access control system at the 4 turnstiles,” says Haim Atanelov, “something which was also carefully noted by the EU ACC3 validators. Aviance was also pleased with the integration of the new system with the existing analogue CCTV system, although it did show up the difference in video quality immediately. "We have already agreed to add further IP cameras to the site and Aviance is committed to phasing out the old system in favour of a totally Hikvision IP system as soon as possible.”

A maritime nation since antiquity, today Greece is one of the centres of the world shipping industry. At over 250 billion euros annually, shipping accounts for more than six percent of the country’s GDP and employs nearly three-hundred thousand people. In an industry of this immense scale, onboard security is a primary concern. The challenge: to install a shipside surveillance system able to withstand all weather conditions at sea. Seaborne surveillance systems The demands on a seaborne surveillance system for today’s shipping industry are as complex as they are challenging. Technet Informatics needed a system that could help ensure crew safety and security, continuously monitor a vessel’s condition, ensure that proper procedures were being followed at all times, guarantee live monitoring of vessel alarm and loading procedures, and provide evidence in the event of emergencies, accidents, or piracy incidents. Of particular difficulty was the need for a camera to be installed above the main engine, where extreme heat and steam would destroy most camera systems. The Solution: VIVOTEK collaborates with Technet Informatics, Ltd. to develop a robust shipboard system. Shipboard safety and security A bulk vessel is a challenging environment in which to install a surveillance system. The construction of such vessels makes complete coverage difficult and working conditions can be severe. Any number of issues can impact system operations, whether onboard or due to salt air and weather conditions. Despite these challenges, shipboard safety and security are of paramount importance, and the utilisation of advanced technology is vital to ensure that correct procedures are being followed and that a safe working environment is maintained, as well as to provide evidence in the event of any accident or incident. The demands on a seaborne surveillance system for today’s shipping industry are as complex as they are challenging" Facing this challenge, a bulk vessel in Greece recently installed a complete shipboard system of IP-based security cameras in order to monitor the safety and adherence to procedure of onboard employees, as well as to secure the cargo. The security system had to be robust enough to work reliably over the course of months spent at sea. Technet Informatics has been working in information and communications technologies since 2010 in conjunction with software developers and hardware distributors from around the globe. For this job, completed in February 2017, they turned to VIVOTEK, a leader in surveillance solutions, to take advantage of VIVOTEK’s deep experience and broad range of camera types and to fulfil their need for specialised models to deal with a variety of shipboard conditions. VIVOTEK fisheye cameras Chief among these was VIVOTEK’s FE8181V fisheye camera with hard casing, installed above the main engine. Also included were two IP9171-HP and two IP8162 Full HD fixed network cameras for exterior views, an FE8181 on the bridge, and six high-performance, low-profile FE8180s to monitor the decks, all linked together by two ND8422P sixteen-channel embedded plug-and-play network video recorders in the ship’s office for easy monitoring. VIVOTEK’s FE8181V is the latest fisheye fixed dome network camera from VIVOTEK. It features a detailed 5-Megapixel resolution sensor which produces superb image quality. Equipped with a fisheye lens, this camera is ideal for placement above the main engine because it is encased in a weatherproof, IP66-rated housing, and is further strengthened by the adoption of a rugged, IK10-design housing, enabling it to handle a wide range of operating temperatures and rendering it both weather- and vandal-proof. The FE8181V true day/night camera features a removable IR-cut filter, maintains clear images 24 hours a day with built-in IR LEDs enabling the camera to provide uniform 360° surround illumination for clear and bright viewing at up to 10 metres, even in completely dark environments. A single FE8180 can easily do the job of three to four standard CCTV cameras" VIVOTEK’s FE8180, a tiny fisheye camera, is not only extremely low-profile, with a diameter of only 90mm, but is also able to be mounted directly on the wall to capture 180° panoramic views, or on the ceiling for a 360° surround view, with zero blind-spots. A single FE8180 can easily do the job of three to four standard CCTV cameras, dramatically reducing costs while blending in with any interior or exterior. It was an ideal solution for the wide-open spaces of a ship’s decks – seeing everything, but remaining unobtrusive. VIVOTEK ND8422P Network Video Recorder Because of the large number and wide variety of cameras used in and around the ship, two ND8422P sixteen-channel NVRs were installed. The plug-and-play functionality of these NVRs frees security staff to concentrate on their jobs, not installation or maintenance, and allows them to monitor ship conditions on-the-go via their EZConnect Mobile APP. With two NVRs installed for a total of seventeen cameras, the ship’s operators will be able to readily upgrade their system at any point in the future. In sum, the combination of simplicity of design, intelligent technology, and rugged protection from all elements makes VIVOTEK’s surveillance systems the only choice for the most demanding conditions on earth, or at sea.

Airports, harbours, ports, railways, pipelines, highways, and bridges make up much of the infrastructure and facilities the modern world relies upon for transportation. They are the entry and exit points for both domestic and international travel, and the infrastructure for the transshipment of people, freight, and cargo. Overall and targeted situational awareness These facilities require increasing levels of security and leverage Arecont Vision megapixel camera technology to deliver both overall and targeted situational awareness. Arecont video coverage is deployed for: Criminal activity and terrorist deterrence Roadways, parking lots/structures Licence plate recognition Crowd monitoring and facial recognition Facility and terminal entrances/exits Control towers, tarmacs, runways, fueling stations, harbors, greenspaces, perimeters, fencing, and piers Terminal gates, security checkpoints, retail areas, restaurants, ticket counters, luggage areas Arecont Vision SurroundVideo® superior coverage For example, in the check-in area for an airline, train station, or cruise ship terminal, three Arecont Vision SurroundVideo® IP megapixel panoramic cameras provide superior coverage and higher quality images than 11 analogue cameras. In passenger terminals, a single Arecont Vision SurroundVideo® IP megapixel panoramic camera provides outstanding situational awareness and 180 to 360 degrees of non-stop coverage. Any part of the scene can be digitally zoomed in as needed, without disrupting active recording of the entire scene. Arecont SurroundVideo panoramic cameras provide superior outdoor coverage and can even provide coverage of an airport runway at night. Arecont Vision megapixel cameras are part of the surveillance solutions customer use around the world, including: Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank, California Sky Harbor, Phoenix, Arizona Vancouver International Airport, Canada John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California Long Beach Airport, California Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas Dulles International Airport, Washington DC Ronald Reagan National Airport, Washington DC Tampa International Airport, Florida Orlando International Airport, Florida Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada Edmonton International Airport, Canada Port of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Abu Dhabi Customs, UAE Big 4 Bridge, Indiana Port of Malta Saudi Consulate, Yemen Port of Haifa Jebel Ali Port, UAE South African Airways Cargo Legardeere Airport, Australia Dubai Immigration, UAE Brisbane Airport, Australia Saudi Border Guard, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Maribor Airport, Slovenia Taipei Taiyuan International Airport, Taiwan Palembang Airport, Indonesia Beijing Airport, China Shanghai Pudong Airport, China Kunming International Airport, China Wuhan Tianhe International Airport

Montebello is located near the centre of the Los Angeles metropolitan complex with an estimated population of around 64,000 people across an area of 8.373 sq/mi. Public transportation is provided by the city-owned Montebello Bus Lines (MBL); the service is the third largest public transit agency in Los Angeles County with an annual ridership of over 8.2 million. Starting in 1931 with a fleet of four buses, the agency now has a fleet of 66 buses, including 38 hybrid gasoline-electric buses and serves 14 communities. Improving transit safety with CCTV As part of its duty of care, for many years the MBL has used CCTV as part of a package of measures to keep both its passengers and staff safe. As a consequence of its diligence, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has recognised Montebello Bus Line’s service awarding the APTA’s Outstanding Transport System Award and APTA’s top Silver Safety Award in 1999, as well as the Achievement Award in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2002. However, in recent years, the legacy CCTV systems on each bus were starting to show its age. As David Tsuen, Information Systems Manager for MBL explains. “We needed to replace our analogue video systems that were outdated and error prone. Another problem we wanted to address was the inability of the system to allow public safety officers to respond immediately to an active situation.” Wish list of CCTV features The existing system and many others that Tsuen and his team evaluated were all reactive requiring the operations teams and safety officers to pull incident videos after an event had occurred. For an organisation keen to ensure the highest levels of customer safety, they started to look at more innovative alternatives.“We needed a video security solution that was more intelligent,” explains Tsuen, “A video system that could help us deliver a quicker response to active situations by processing external elements to analyse, predict and ultimately alert safety officers quicker. Our goal was to implement a video security solution that would work for us, not us having to work around its limitations.” The team at MBL created a wish list of features that the new system needed; including the ability to instantly view video from any camera remotely via a mobile network. A simple to use management system for both video surveillance and better bus management, along with a simple method of archiving and searching video of any incidents that may be needed for evidential purposes or for legal actions. MBL selected MOBOTIX cameras and connectivity solution as the core element of the project MOBOTIX cameras and connectivity solution Based on the desire to use as few cameras on each vehicle as possible along with the need for a system rugged enough to survive the continual high vibration, heat and dust for 24 hours a day internal and external use; MBL selected MOBOTIX cameras and connectivity solution as the core element of the project. MOBOTIX also had the relevant application programming interfaces and ability to integrate sensors to measure shocks, light and noise level, temperature, GPS position, GPS directions and GPS velocity. The sensor readings are essential to trigger automated alerts to the control room for example if a bus is involved in an accident or has deviated off course. MBL worked closely with Transit Security Systems Inc., a specialist in vehicle surveillance and management systems to develop a Unified Management platform that included a video viewing and archiving solution along with tracking and incident alerting capabilities. The platform also manages how video footage is stored by Cloudian, a cloud-based storage service which provides richer metadata on each video to allow MBL to search for video based on more criteria, such as geographical location, as well as traditional date and time criteria. In addition, Cloudian serves as the connection to analytics, not available in traditional security systems. S15 FlexMount camera cores At the heart of each bus deployed with the new video surveillance system are five S15 FlexMount camera cores, each with two video sensors attached. The configuration uses 6 megapixel video camera sensors, able to capture rich detail of the faces of people on the bus and external events, even vehicle licence plates. The layout has two video sensors covering the interior of the single decker bus, two video sensors covering the passenger doors and driver cabin along with 6 external video sensors covering a 360-degree arc around the bus. The system uses a mix of day and night video sensors to ensure 24-hour coverage and a single thermal image sensor that can provide visuals even during complete darkness or extreme weather conditions. The new bus surveillance system uses a mix of day and night video sensors to ensure 24-hour coverage To simplify connectivity, each camera core uses a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) network switch along with MOBOTIX IO Box technology to reduce the amount of cabling needed for each by 50% when compared to a legacy analogue video CCTV solution. The system is connected to a local 2TB NAS for local video capture and a GPS receiver for accurate time and location data. When on the road, each bus is connected to the MBL central operations desk via the LTE (4G) mobile network that allows remote viewing of any camera on demand or in the event of a driver raising the alarm. When each bus returns to the depot, all video captured since the vehicle’s last visit is uploaded using Wi-Fi connectivity and moved into its cloud based storage for archiving and, if needed, further analysis or evidential purposes. MOBOTIX Application Programming Interface The MOBOTIX elements have been certified to EN 50155:2007, an international standard covering electronic equipment used on rolling stock and railway applications including temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, and other parameters. In addition, one MOBOTIX IP video camera does not require more than 4-5 watts and has no moving mechanical parts to dramatically increase reliability. Through the MOBOTIX Application Programming Interface and Software Development Kit, the video remote surveillance capability has been integrated by Transit Security Systems into its Unified Management Platform to provide a pin point display of every MBL vehicle. Compared to the old system, MBL is now able to instantly pull up a view from any bus with just a click of a mouse, as well as search through historical footage to quickly find any incidents or following a compliant or request from law enforcement. The system is also able to automatically generate alerts based on sensor data if the bus is involved in an incident. So far, the system has been installed on 7 buses and the response has been extremely positive. As Tsuen says, “New security threats are rising around the world. We need to change the way we do security because the old way just isn’t working.” The success of the project has prompted MBL to equip more of its buses with the new video surveillance system as older vehicles are replaced over the course of the next few years.