DIRECTED BY TRAFICON
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION
Issue 13, december 2007
www.traficon.com
Editorial
Fifteen Years of… This year, Traficon has celebrated its 15th anniversary! Since 1992, Traficon has been active in the fascinating world of traffic video detection technology. Today our video detection systems are installed in over 40 countries. More than 40,000 VIP modules are operational day and night to help create safer and smoother traffic worldwide. These facts make Traficon the № 1 global reference in video image processing for traffic analysis. Mutual Respect I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all of our partners for their efforts over the years in promoting our video detection solutions. Traficon would never have become that successful without their help. These partnerships – based on mutual respect – have made it possible to serve our customers well and offer them only quality video detection products. We benefit from strong long-term
This intelligent technology lead to a significant reduction in economical and ecological cost. So it definitely was a cost-effective investment.
Their professional and direct approach was quite impressive.
Putting People First! Another important factor in our success is definitely the Traficon crew, who serve our customers with unflagging enthusiasm. I’m very proud to say that some of the people who came on board back in 1992 are still with us today. In an era where ‘the people are a company’s most valuable asset’, their vast technological knowledge and wealth of experience help us build solutions for the future. And our team of nearly 60 people is still growing. One thing is for sure: just like your safety in traffic is our first priority, our employees always come first at Traficon! B — Jo Versavel, Managing Director
The evaluation showed that Traficon performed well in all the test conditions.
It’s easy to program and easy to maintain a VIP module!
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all of our partners for their efforts over the years in promoting our video detection solutions.” partnerships with companies such as Siemens, Tyco, TraPol, Eltodo, ISG and many others. Their enthusiasm, support and cooperation have made Traficon what it is today.
It’s easy to visualise how it works. Other technologies make a lot of claims that are hard to see.
I was able to set up 4 cameras in three and a half hours!
cover story
Traficon on top of mind How Customer Stories Spread the Video Detection Message Around the World
HQ— When thinking about traffic video detection, or video image processing, what company comes first to mind?
No need to scratch your head… we can only hope it is Traficon. Nevertheless, our aim is most definitely to make Traficon ‘top of mind’ for each person in the traffic industry by promoting our high-quality products. By communicating our message of what makes us different from competition, Traficon has a lot of strong arguments for being the reference. Still, in addition to all these efforts, the best possible way to become top of mind is by sharing customer experience. Simply by tell-
ing their story, customers spread the Traficon video detection message around the world. Their feedback is objective too, and it helps people who are still in the decision process to sort things out. So, we’re including two articles in this newsletter in which our customers/part-
“The best possible way to become top of mind is by sharing customer experience.” ners tell their story. We’re also paying special attention in this issue to a solution with great potential for video detection: hard shoulder monitoring. B
scene 1
The insider › december 2007
based on a true story
SNAP SHOTS NEWS FROM AROUND THE globe »» The Vuosaari Harbour Project is a prestigious project in Finland. It includes the construction of a harbour along with traffic connections. Construction began in January 2003 and is scheduled for completion in 2008. Forty-eight VIP-T detection modules, plus Traficon Management Software, have been installed to “tackle” all traffic incidents. »» The new renovated Geneva Tunnels Control Center (Switzerland) monitors over 100 AID cameras running on the Geneva Ring Road. »» In Venezia-Mestre (Italy), traffic accidents are being detected by VIP/I modules. Road users can check the status of traffic before travelling via: http://www.autovepd.it/tr/remote/mappe-a.asp »» Peter Jamée is Traficon’s new R&D Director, taking over the position from Mrs. Ilse Roelants, who has left the company. We wish them both lots of success in their new job ventures!
Mysterious Disappearance of Radars in Dublin… Traficon Confesses Dublin, Ireland— Over 200 radar detectors have been replaced by TrafiCam®. We spoke with Mick O’Doherty from Elmore, who told the story behind this decision and why the end customer chose a new type of vehicle presence sensor.
“The radar units that were installed in Dublin met the UK Regulations that permitted a power output level of 500 mW, operating in a spectrum above 10.5 GHz. But this caused interference to a wireless broadband service that had been licensed by ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulations)”, Mick explains. “ComReg then entered into discussions with the local authorities and the manufacturers of
Why did you choose TrafiCam®? What are the benefits of TrafiCam® vs other technologies (radar, inductive loops)? “TrafiCam® has many benefits over the standard radar unit, including more channels and less chance of locking up and causing a situation where there is no demand.” Can you give some advice to people who are planning to install their first TrafiCam® − Tips & Tricks from your experience? “Yes: find an ideal pole for mounting the TrafiCam®, because camera position is allimportant. Be sure to keep the camera angle well below the skyline and away from direct sunlight and shiny surfaces. Install all interface equipment in the signal controller and run a CAT-5E cable to each detector − putting power supplies and interface units inside the polemounted boxes keeps them neat and discrete. One more thing: with the introduction of the new wireless TrafiCam®, there is a fortune to be saved on junction civil works − particularly if the TrafiCam® is being used for Q-Detection.”
»» Seven tunnels in Luxembourg are now fully equipped with Traficon’s AID system. Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been officially approved by the end customer. »» With local offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, Traficon is investing heavily in the rapidly emerging Chinese marketplace. At the ITS World Congress in Beijing (China), we detected a lot of interest in intelligent technology for managing traffic in busy cities. »» Twenty-nine and still counting: that is the number of tunnels in France currently being monitored by Traficon VIP modules.
the radar units. The outcome was that, from now on, all units coming into Ireland will operate in the 10.41 GHz range. So, the Dublin City Council decided that it would be better to take out the old units and replace them with video detectors − rather than go to the trouble of removing the radars and sending them back to the UK for re-tuning, or waiting for another new replacement that would satisfy ComReg.”
Traficam replaces radars in Dublin (Ireland)
So we confess… we replaced Dublin’s radar detectors with TrafiCam®. And we’ll continue to do so! B
based on a true story
APPEARANCES FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS WORLDWIDE »» February 2008, 6-7 ATEXPO (Paris, France) Stand 33 »» April 2008, 1-4 Intertraffic (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Stand 01.405 »» June 2008, 4-6 7th European Congress & Exhibition on ITS Geneva, Switzerland Stand B14 »» November 2008, 16-20 15th World Congress & Exhibition on ITS New York, U.S.A. Stand 629
scene 2
Bridging Leading-edge Technology and Ecology On 20 October 2007, German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the new Rügen Bridge (Rügenbrücke) in Stralsund, Germany. This technological masterpiece is one of the longest bridges in Germany: the bridge itself is 2831 meters long, the connection is 4.1 km (2.5 miles) long, and the centre pylon is 128 meters high. The new “Rügenbrücke” is designed for passenger and freight transportation on a European scale. Three lanes, end-to-end wind deflectors, an electronic control system, and a video detection system guarantee maximum safety. Not only is the structure a milestone of modern technology, but its architecture also blends in harmoniously with its environment in the interests of ecology and animal welfare. Traficon is proud to be an active member of this project! B
VIP-T modules are operational to detect traffic incidents on and nearby the bridge.
The insider › december 2007
based on a true story
What You See Is What You Get south africa— City traffic managers are
increasingly becoming aware that there is more to life than radar and loops. And once they find out about TrafiCam® − our smart vehicle presence sensor − it’s often a brandnew world! Roger Lewis from Syntell in South Africa gives his honest opinion and shares some of his experience with TrafiCam®. “Our customers were attracted to the TrafiCam® solution for a number of reasons, including the flexibility of being able to define detection zones where they are required without damaging the road surface. In many situations, heavy volumes of traffic at junctions where the road surface is in poor condition result in ongoing damage to traditional magnet loops. TrafiCam® is not concerned with the condition of the road surface.”
What are the benefits of TrafiCam® vs other technologies such as radar or inductive loops? “Probably the simplest answer is: what you see is what you get. It’s easy to set up TrafiCam®, and it’s easy to visualise how it works. Other technologies make a lot of claims that are hard to see.”
Behind the scenes
Up to the Top Ever wonder what your boss is up to on the weekend? Well, our boss is definitely not sitting still. Camera images detected Jo Versavel on top of Mont Blanc − at over 4800 metres, one of the highest mountains in Europe. Traficon… not only on top of mind, but also on top of France! B
Can you offer some advice to people who are planning to install their first TrafiCam®? Tips & Tricks from your experience? “Ignore the sky. At first, you think that using such a system will be complicated. So when you first start you worry that you should be doing more to get the system up and running. But after a few installations, you gain confidence that it’s really not complicated at all - just stick to the default settings and let the camera do the work. Don’t look for problems.” B
Jo Versavel (middle) on top of the Mont Blanc
behind the scenes
Friday the 13th Lucky day for Traficon! On Friday the 13th of July, Traficon moved its headquarters to: Vlamingstraat 19 – 8560 Wevelgem – Belgium. The inauguration of the new building coincided with the company’s 15th anniversary. Glamour and Glitter… It all started in an appropriately glamorous way. The red carpet was rolled out. And then, Managing Director Jo Versavel, together with the Board of Directors, arrived in a regulation Hummer limousine. Mr. Versavel had to quickly don his sunglasses in the glare of the spotlights, flashbulbs and diamond jewellery. Security was tight: bodyguards kept an eye on public safety; wireless TrafiCams kept an eye on traffic.
product spotlight
product spotlight
TrafiCam® Goes Wireless
Stand-alone VIP-T Box
TrafiCam® Wireless 868MHz (Europe) and TrafiCam® Wireless 915MHz (U.S.A./Canada) are now commercially available.
Earlier this year, the very first production VIP-T box made its entrance. VIP-T is a single unit, hot-swappable board for vehicle presence and automatic incident detection in tunnels, on bridges, on motorways and at intersections.
After tests to secure ETSI/FCC approval, we now have all the official certificates in hand − allowing us to fully promote this super vehicle presence detection solution. B For more info: www.traficam.com
What makes it special is that it’s a stand-alone board, combining full functionality with MPEG4 capability. The board provides detection of: vehicle presence, stopped vehicles, inverse direction, flow speed, smoke, slow moving vehicles, pedestrians, objects − in fact, everything you would expect from a fully networked system, but with the flexibility that comes with having a stand-alone unit. B
Before officially opening the new building, Mr. Versavel looked back briefly at the road Traficon has taken so far and highlighted the challenges that need to be met to remain successful in the 21st century. Sun and Champagne... Next, Mr. Versavel cut the ribbon − which wrapped right around the building! − making the opening official. Then, a group of Belgian customers, suppliers, staff, press and dignitaries were treated to tours of the new facility. The champagne and sunny weather at the reception added to the celebration atmosphere and reminded you of Cannes. All in all, the celebrations matched the quality of Traficon service– an excellent inauguration for a first-class company. Another memorable day in the history of Traficon… B
Special guests arriving at the new Traficon offices in Belgium scene 3
The insider › december 2007
application spotlight
Shouldering the Load As traffic congestion increasingly affects our
Quick alerts
economy, quality of life and environment, highway agencies need to find solutions. Simply building new roads will not cut congestion. A solution that is being viewed as an efficient, quick and reasonably priced way to significantly improve the congestion problem is using the hard shoulder as a traffic lane during peak hours. This reduces road accidents, travel time and pollution.
The aim is to give priority to certain road users during prescribed hours: in other words, the emergency lane must be kept clear for busses and rush-hour traffic. To accomplish this, CCTV cameras are installed to enable remote monitoring. Then, the AID system assists operators in detecting obstructions by continuously analysing the camera pictures looking for objects/ vehicles that stop in the detection zones. The AID system alerts operators to any event that it determines warrants further manual checking. The system also allows the police to warn all following busses that there is an obstruction ahead, and to dispatch rescue services to clear the lane expeditiously.
But, in order to implement this solution, a monitoring system capable of detecting obstructions and incidents − breakdowns, reversing vehicles, pedestrians and debris − must be put in place. Operators in the regional control centre have to be 100% sure that the hard shoulder is clear of obstructions. And this is where Traficon comes in − with its fieldproven outdoor Automatic Incident Detection (AID) system! Municipalities are also launching a variety of campaigns to promote public transport and convince people to leave their car at home and Bus lane monitoring take the bus. The rationale is twofold: using public transport leads to less traffic, and it’s good for nature. However, up to now, none of these campaigns has had much impact. People continue to prefer to go to work in their car. The main problem here is that they don’t see ‘direct’ benefits from using public transport. But what if you could get to work faster by taking the bus instead of the car? In Grenoble (France), a new solution is now being tested: using the hard shoulder as a privileged lane for public transport. Busses simply avoid traffic queues by driving on the hard shoulder − significantly improving their punctuality and reliability. Will this system be able to change the public’s mind-set and lead to greater use of public transport? We’re eager to see…
How it works Depending on the stretch of road that needs to be monitored, the AID system comprises a number of static cameras, each typically 12 m above the bus lane. Each camera is capable of detecting stopped vehicles over a distance of approximately 180 m (the actual camera separation varies due to bridges and curves obscuring the hard shoulder). Video is fed over the existing fibre network to the control room, where video processing and alarm generation take place. Saving time … and lives The AID system monitors each camera 24/7, supplementing the operator’s eye to detect any abnormal situation in traffic. This bus-lane safety system is capable of detecting stopped vehicles within 10 seconds of their occurrence. Based on the pre- and post-event images that are captured, an operator can determine the nature of the incident and enable a timely and appropriate response. By quickly alerting the controlling authority, AID can help manage traffic, prevent secondary accidents, and save lives. The AID hard shoulder system has been installed on the A73 in Germany, and it is being thoroughly tested and evaluated as we speak. A similar system for bus lane monitoring is already operational in Belfast (Ireland). To be continued! B
THE TRAFICON STUDIOS how to reach us worldwide Traficon NV (HQ) Vlamingstraat 19 b-8560 Wevelgem, Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)56 37 22 00 Fax: +32 (0)56 37 21 96 E-mail: traficon@traficon.com Traficon USA LLC 14520 Avion Parkway, Suite 305 Chantilly, Virginia 20151, U.S.A. Tel.: +1 (703) 961 9617 Fax: +1 (703) 961 9606 E-mail: traficon@traficonusa.com Traficon Hong Kong LTD Unit A, 11/D Tak Cheung Building 22-24 Wing Lok Street Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China Tel.: +852 2987 8177 Fax: +852 2987 9446 E-mail: traficon@traficonasia.com Traficon Beijing Jianguomenwai Diplomatic Residence Compound 9-1-33 Chaoyang District Beijing 100600, P. R. China Tel.: +86 10 5174 0255 Fax: +86 10 8532 5152 E-mail: traficon@traficonasia.com Traficon Shangai Units C60 - C66 11/F Shanghai Mart 2299 Yanan Road West Shanghai 200336, P.R. China Tel.: +86 21 6236 0700 ext118 Fax: +86 21 6236 0706 E-mail: traficon@traficonasia.com Traficon France SARL 16 Rue Louis Jacques Thénard F-71100 Chalon-sur-Saône, France Tel.: +33 686 552 725 Fax: +33 385 965 498 E-mail: traficon@traficonfrance.com Traficon Germany Lohauserstraße 64 D-49453 Rehden, Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 5446-20 65 32 Fax: +49 (0) 5446-20 65 34 E-mail: traficon@traficon.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
WWW.TRAFICON.COM TRAFICON : “THE INSIDER - ISSUE 13” k JO VERSAVEL l STIJN VANDEBUERIE a MICK O’DOHERTY STIJN VANDEBUERIE ROGER LEWIS e STEVE COLLINS g ROBIN COLLAERT HELMERT DECAVELE JONAH SAMYN £ ROGER LEWIS PETER JAMÉE JO VERSAVEL w GUSTAV Copyright © MMVII Traficon. All rights reserved. None of the materials provided on this publication may be used, reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including recording or the use of any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Traficon N.V.
scene 4