Coventry Airport opts for MOBOTIX high resolution digital surveillance

"Due to heightened security measures..."

This, sadly, is becoming an all too familiar announcement at airports, train stations, ports and harbours all over the world.  In light of recent events in Glasgow and London authorities are forced to take an even closer look at the systems providing security and safety for the passengers and workers within the airport terminals.  A very good example of ensuring passenger safety using the latest technology in high resolution digital imaging with intelligent network cameras can be seen at Coventry Airport.

Aside from the threat of international terrorism, security at Coventry Airport has always been the highest priority.  Coventry Airport and Warwickshire Police have joined forces to produce a new protocol aimed at identifying and dealing with passengers who behave in an anti-social manner.  Chris Orphanou, Managing Director of Coventry Airport said, "The safety of our customers is paramount and identifying individuals whose behaviour could become unacceptable and ultimately illegal is key to preventing a serious incident."

To meet the request for high security and timely prevention of incidents, Coventry Airport selected the MOBOTIX High Resolution IP-Camera System with integrated MxControlCenter software for their video surveillance system.

The original video system (analogue cameras with recorders) proved to be unsuitable to fulfil the task, providing low quality images unsuitable for recognition of person or situation.  "The analogue video technology is too expensive and awkward - and the image quality is not sufficient.  This was enough reason for us to look for a better alternative," explains Director of Customer Service Mike Morton.

Cost savings and cost of ownership were also a consideration when planning the system.  Because the MOBOTIX digital system is capable of recording 12 times more detail than approximately 95% of analogue systems in use today, a clever combination of MOBOTIX mega pixel single and dual lens models reduced the overall number of cameras required.

The ease of installation was another factor in lowering the costs as the MOBOTIX cameras are PoE and require no additional heating or fans even at temperatures below -30°C.  A network cable to the camera was all that was needed.  The low power consumption of the cameras also saved costs on the back up power system.

"Also the data communication is exemplary," describes Dilip Mistry the Security Administrator during the installation.  "This way we can theoretically connect from anywhere over VPN to the sub network, with necessary authorisation, to see the requested images.  In addition, the MOBOTIX cameras are stable and robust as well as easy to install and upgrade."

"The cameras include internal memory and can temporarily store the video sequences internally in the case of server failure," said the Security Administrator.  Some of these video sequences must be stored for up to 30 days, so maximising storage space is also a consideration when planning cost effectively.  The camera at the check-in counter for example, records an image only every 90 seconds.  This is more than sufficient, since a passenger spends two minutes on the average at this counter.  If required the camera can also be connected to a panic button that would allow the person behind the desk to send an alarm to airport security and local police while simultaneously switching to continuous recording or the system can be configured to automatically record continuously only when there is activity in the area.

Each passenger and visitor, in the interest of flight security, will be registered at all important locations during the length of their stay at the airport.

The MOBOTIX high resolution digital PTZ cameras are used in surveillance of the parking area, the check-in and the departure hall.  All the cameras are arranged so that the appropriate sequence of images is transferred from each important location that the passenger walks through; check-in, security check, passport control, departure hall and boarding gate.  The checking in of luggage, arrival hall baggage claim and baggage handling are also kept under surveillance using the MOBOTIX system.

One of the most significant cost savings was the MOBOTIX MxControlCenter which is included free of charge with all MOBOTIX camera systems; all camera images are monitored from a control room using MxCC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The MxCC software functionality allows simultaneous viewing and analysing of live and recorded images or clips and event search while utilising the alarm recognition and management software integrated into the cameras themselves.

The robust, maintenance free MOBOTIX cameras and the availability of free software upgrades make the MOBOTIX system not only cost effective but also future proof.