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THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION
ISSUE 16, JULY 2010
WWW.TRAFICON.COM
EDITORIAL
Greetings! This is a special and really exciting moment: my first editorial as Traficon’s new CEO! I would like to begin by thanking Jo Versavel, the founder of this fantastic company, for the trust he has placed in me as his successor. I have the deepest respect for all the pioneering work Jo has done to make Traficon the renowned company it is today. So, I regard it as an honour to serve as the new CEO. I’m really looking forward to leading Traficon into the future. The challenge is to keep bringing innovative solutions for safer and smoother traffic onto the worldwide market. As we satisfy our current and new customers, we can be sure that Traficon will enjoy steady growth in the years to come.
Cars and People Up to now, our video detection solutions have always revolved around vehicles. At the beginning of this year, we introduced two new products that focus on protecting vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. These two innovations – SafeWalk and C-Walk – are designed to ensure greater safety for pedestrians and to improve efficiency at intersections and crossings. As pedestrian safety and efficiency fit in beautifully with our company mission – and as a firm believer in Vision Zero – I am convinced that these products will make further positive contributions towards preventing traffic injuries and fatalities.
Intelligent Cities In the not too distant future, cities are going to need more intelligence so that people can live and travel safely in these crowded, fast-paced urban jungles. But our crew is definitely up to the challenge: with our solutions, we’re ready to make any city on the planet more intelligent. After all, it just so happens that intelligence is what Traficon does best! — Lode Caenepeel, CEO
COVER STORY
Protecting People on the Move Every year, more than 1.2 million people die on the world’s roadways, and as many as 50 million others are injured. Nearly half of those killed each year are pedestrians, motorcyclists and passengers on public transport (*). Historically, many of the measures put in place to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries have been aimed at protecting car occupants. Now, road designers, town planners, architects and traffic managers are also focusing on protecting pedestrians: ‘Safer by design’ seems to be the mantra sweeping through this sector. Design improvements range from simple, cost-effective solutions – such as adding more pedestrian refuges to roadsides – to more high-end deployments, such as installing pedestrian sensors to control traffic signals.
In this issue … This newsletter highlights how video detection technology can provide added value to protecting pedestrian traffic. We’re rolling out the red carpet for a new pedestrian detection concept ... directed and produced by Traficon! But there’s more, too. You will also find up-to-the-minute news on Traficon’s latest video detection management system – called Flux – which enables transportation centre operators to meet the challenges of today’s transportation management demands. And finally, we update you on two unique ITS projects, where Traficon detectors are connecting Albanian people and Chinese places – safely. B
(*) Data gathered from the global status report on road safety – World Health Organization.
THE INSIDER › JULY 2010
SNAP SHOTS NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Traficon's video detection system will be used for the first time in Qatar – the prestigious project is called The Pearl. But this isn’t Traficon’s first project in the Middle East. VIP detectors are already implemented in the Airport tunnel in Dubai, and the famous Palm Jumeirah is the proud owner of Traficon technology as well. L TrafiCam passes UK detector trial test – proving that this vehicle presence sensor is a viable alternative to the inductive loop for use with SCOOT and MOVA. L Thanks to our Italian partner, La Semaforica, the first TrafiCam installations in Nigeria are a fact. The number of countries that use TrafiCam services is now up to 60, with over 20,000 of these detectors operational. L After a successful VIP-T AID installation monitoring the hard shoulder on Germany’s A73, a new extension is being planned near Bavaria. Opening an extra lane during peak hours has proven to be a beneficial and reliable solution. L Philippe Gélin and Steve Collins at Intertunnel Italy 2010. A special thank you to Mr. Gélin for his loyal support and tremendous efforts in helping Traficon to be successful in France. Merci beaucoup – Enjoy your retirement!
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
The Albania-Kosovo Highway Project: Connecting People via the Thirre Tunnel KUKES (ALBANIA) - In May 2010, the Albanian Minister of Transportation reopened the first part of the Thirre Tunnel after an eight-month closure for final construction repair work and finetuning. The tunnel is part of the newly built Durres-Kukes-Morine highway – which, at 170 km (105 miles) long, is the largest infrastructure project in the history of Albania. And, of course, Traficon is always keen to help make history – so count us in!
tion equipment is installed in a central location close to the control centre, where all video processing, alarm, event and storage management is conducted by the VIP-T modules together with Traficon’s management software (TMS). When a camera’s detector spots an incident, the operator can instantly view that feed along with the images from the subsequent cameras. This instant global visual feedback assists the operator in reacting appropriately to any potentially dangerous traffic situation. This four-lane highway begins at the Construction of the Thirre Tunnel Albanian port began in May of Durres and 2007, and the "Traficon delivered its fieldends at the city north-bound proven automatic incident of Morine, locattunnel tube was detection system to maintain ed on the borinaugurated in der of Albania safety inside the Thirre Tunnel" June 2009. The and Kosovo. Not south-bound only will this highway further strengthen tube is scheduled to be completed in the already deep ties between Albania July 2010. This project is a cooperation and Kosovo, it is expected to reduce the between Enka – Savronik and Traficon. B travel time between Durres and Morine from six hours to two. Keeping the tunnel safe And what is Traficon’s role here? Well, Traficon delivered its field-proven automatic incident detection system to maintain safety inside the Thirre Tunnel. 144 CCTV cameras monitor this 5.8 km long double-tube tunnel through the Runes mountain. The video detec-
The highway passes through the 5.8km-long Thirre Tunnel across Mount Runes.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
APPEARANCES FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS WORLDWIDE
Traficon's AID Technology Part of the First Undersea Tunnel in Mainland China XIAMEN (CHINA) - In constructing the
ff 8-11 August 2010 ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibit (Vancouver, Canada) Stand 107 ff 14-16 September 2010 JCT Traffic Signal Symposium (Hertfordshire, U.K.) ff 25-29 October 2010 14th ITS World Congress (Busan, Korea) Stand D32 & D33 ff 10-12 November 2010 TranspoQuip (Sao Paulo, Brasil) Stand 1522 ff 23-25 November 2010 Salon des Maires (Paris, France)
SCENE 2
unique Xiamen Xiang’an Tunnel – mainland China’s first undersea tunnel – the government of Xiamen chose Traficon as its preferred partner for installing a high-performance Automatic Incident Detection (AID) system. The three-lane Xiamen Xiang'an Tunnel is almost 9 kilometres long, 5.95 kilometres of which are under the sea. Its deepest section is 70 metres below sea level. Starting from Wutong of Xiamen Island, the tunnel terminates at Xibin, Xiang'an District, on the mainland. A trip from one side to the other now only takes 6 minutes. Keeping a camera eye on things In addition to the standard security devices (including fire extinguishers, phone booths and emergency passages), intelligent cameras are installed to
detect all traffic abnormalities inside the tunnel. The tunnel was opened to traffic at the end of April 2010. Nico Verstraete, Traficon's Sales Manager for China, emphasises the project’s speed: "The quick deployment of this AID project was really extraordinary. Thanks to the high-level technical professionalism of our local Chinese partner Greenway, the total system – from installing the cameras to fine-tuning the VIP detectors – was up and running in less than three months!" B
The most dangerous sections of the Xiang’an tunnel are monitored and secured by 32 VIP detectors. Image source: www.gywb.cn
THE INSIDER › JULY 2010
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BEHIND THE SCENES
Showing, Sharing & Shouting! Have you heard about the ‘Innovation Market’ concept? No? Well, that’s absolutely normal … because it’s a unique idea generated by Traficon member Peter Jamée and introduced in Traficon for the first time at the beginning of this year. The main goal is to communicate about all the innovations that are ‘floating around’ in the company – but in a more informal market format. Why this format? A market brings together supply (what you have to offer) and demand (what you are looking for) in an open atmosphere. So, the ‘Innovation Market’ concept provides an opportunity to show an innovation project in progress or facilitates discussion of an idea that is worth sharing with other Traficon team members. There were 24 proposals for the first edition – 24 people shouting proudly to promote their idea and to win the Most Popular Innovation award! B
Dries Verbrugge, the first winner of the MPI award, together with organizer Peter Jamée.
We are proud to present ‘Flux’ – Traficon’s new video detection management system. Collecting traffic data, events, alarms and video images generated by the Traficon video detectors, this intelligent software platform provides a userfriendly interface for real-time traffic monitoring and powerful event alerting. Flux’s main job is to manage and control all traffic information generated by the various video detectors and to make it useful, meaningful and relevant to the user. Flux is designed to handle any type of Traficon detector. So, in addition to VIP modules, integrated sensors like TrafiCam x-stream and Collect-R can also be connected to Flux. Depending on the type of application, it’s even possible to combine both detectors in one system.
Flux provides 24/7 reliability, availability and redundancy when it comes to managing and controlling the wide range of data and events coming from the various video detectors. From small-scale video detection to large-scale systems with hundreds of detection devices, Flux enables transportation centre operators to meet the challenges of today’s transportation management demands. Flux monitors the transportation network during normal, planned traffic conditions, and responds quickly and efficiently to unexpected traffic conditions. Today, Flux is installed in the Direction Interdepartementale des Routes d'Ile-de-France (DIRIF) project, where it is managing and visualising traffic data and events generated by the 1500 VIP-T AID detectors across the 22 Paris tunnels. B
KEY BENEFITS ff Fast, reliable and stable system ff Easy installation, Windows and Linux compatible ff User-friendly configuration and operation ff Browser-based Graphical User Interface ff Instant recording with pre- and post-event information
THE INSIDER › JULY 2010
ff Customizable and multi-user setup with levels of authorization ff Expandable, scalable system with modular design ff Integration of redundancy activation ff Open architecture for easy integration with larger traffic management systems
BEHIND THE SCENES
Easy as ABC User-friendliness is simply a conditio sine qua non for all Traficon products. So, we are constantly on the look-out for new ways to enhance ease-of-use and make our detectors truly 100% simple to operate. Video tutorials are an initiative recently launched to help all our users: everything – from A-Z – is explained visually. This tool is now available online for several sensors and should make installation and configuration child’s play! To access these online video tutorials, just send a quick e-mail to: traficon@ traficon.com. Fun guaranteed! B
Vulnerable road users – such as pedestrians, cyclists and riders of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and their passengers – account for about 46% of the world’s 1.2 million road traffic deaths every single year. As a result of these shocking statistics, urban design, traffic management and automotive safety are placing increasing focus on vulnerable road users. Traficon is taking the lead in the field of intelligent transport systems by designing new video detection solutions to turn back this
worrying trend. This year, Traficon has become the proud parent of two new pedestrian video detection products. The main goals of these products are: to provide better protection to all vulnerable road users, to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and to avoid delaying both pedestrians and motorists unnecessarily. So, we now present to you: SafeWalk and TrafiCam C-Walk – two products to help you always walk on the safe side!
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Intelligent Pedestrian Detection APPLICATIONS
SafeWalk
Sensing people, protecting lives
DYNAMIC TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROL • Prolongs green light when slower
With SafeWalk, Traficon has brought a pedestrian detection sensor onto the market that pedestrians simply have to admire as they pass by. The product stands out from the rest by its chic and unique design alone. But what is this special product, and how does it work? Designed to detect pedestrians waiting at the roadside, SafeWalk integrates 3D stereovision with video image processing technology. This new CMOS-based 3D detection system not only ensures improved safety for pedestrians at intersections and (mid-block) crossings, but because it manages and controls traffic lights more intelligently, it makes both pedestrian and motorist traffic more efficient, thus providing significant cost-savings. Delivering 3D information By using two CMOS cameras in parallel, SafeWalk converts two-dimensional images into three-dimensional information – which is critical, because 3D info enables operators to distinguish between animate objects and irrelevant
THE INSIDER › JULY 2010
background images like shadows and reflections. Now, embedded and fieldproven Traficon algorithms can use this 3D information to provide more sophisticated analysis – delivering accurate information on pedestrian presence and pedestrian behaviour. In addition to its high detection rate and virtual immunity to false alerts, the great strength of this sensor is its higher level of logic. Many alternative products can sense the presence of an object – but SafeWalk detects pedestrians and tracks them into the predefined detection zone. This means that you know precisely when the pedestrian enters the zone, when he or she leaves, and their exact movements. All this information makes the detection system much more intelligent. This sensor is definitely eager to show what it can do. It’s catching on quickly – with installations already in the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and the U.S.A. So, when you’re walking around in your city, be alert: SafeWalk might have you in sight!
pedestrian is crossing. When faster pedestrians use crossings, no unnecessary delays to motorists. • At intersections
MID-BLOCK PROTECTION • Oncoming traffic is warned by flashing
beacons when a pedestrian is crossing or is waiting to cross. • Near critical meeting places: schools, shopping centers, hospitals …
TrafiCam C-Walk is an integrated camera and detector for detecting pedestrian presence at signalled intersections and mid-block crossings. A costeffective and reliable solution, TrafiCam C-Walk combines the benefits of video detection with state-of-the-art CMOS sensor technology. TrafiCam C-Walk’s primary goal is to improve pedestrian protection as the pedestrian crosses the street (e.g. at zebra crossings near schools). By detecting crossing pedestrians and, at the same time, by managing and controlling traffic lights more dynamically, this intelligent sensor also reduces unnecessary delays to motorists. TrafiCam C-Walk is an IP-addressable video detection camera. MPEG-4
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streaming video at full frame rate is available via Ethernet for system configuration and traffic monitoring. Users can configure, view and control the system both on-site and remotely. System set-up is quick-and-easy: a user-friendly PC tool enables connection to all TrafiCam C-Walk devices on the network. A camera image is available for fast, accurate positioning of the presence detection zones. It only takes a few minutes to put the system into operation. No specialist knowledge is required. And last but not least: unlike traditional inductive systems, this aboveground system incurs no expensive installation and maintenance costs.
CASE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: INTELLIGENT PEDESTRIAN DETECTION
Passive Detection Provides Active Pedestrian Safety The Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) of Prince Georges County (Maryland, USA) is using TrafiCam C-Walk detectors to increase pedestrian safety at a busy midblock crossing. The C-Walks were installed by Control Technologies (Florida, USA). Traficon spoke with the DPW&T’s Jim Rhine to hear about the system’s effectiveness. Tell us a bit about your project. The C-Walks are located at a mid-block crossing, where a busy biking/walking trail crosses a highspeed parkway. Many residents and members of the County Council have been concerned about safety at this high-profile crossing.
"Set-up and operation are a snap with the C-Walk system"
What is the intelligent detector‘s purpose? The trail users may be pushing strollers, jogging, or cycling alone or in groups. The purpose of the C-Walk is to detect every person as they approach the crosswalk from either side, without requiring them to push a button. Why did you decide to use video detection technology, instead of (for example) radar or inductive loops?
Video detection technology is passive – no action is required by the pedestrian – and this was desired because the pedestrians were simply not pushing the push-button. And video-based technol-
ogy allows you to define the detection zones quickly and very accurately, and then easily adjust them as well. Other passive technologies fall short when it comes to detecting many types of users accurately. In your opinion, what are this pedestrian detector’s real strengths? First of all, set-up and operation are a snap with the C-Walk system. Plus, through its years of experience, Traficon has developed specialised detection algorithms and fail-safe modes if the video image is compromised. Detection performance is critical, and the C-Walk can minimise false alerts from shadows, debris or pedestrians moving perpen-
dicular to the zone (walking along the sidewalk instead of crossing). Can you offer any advice to those planning to install their first Traficon pedestrian detector? We’re using radio-controlled, solar-powered flashing beacons for this installation. I recommend using a separate solar array and regulator to isolate the C-Walk from the control cabinet, therefore enabling each device to function independently. We’ve also kept our push-buttons for redundancy. An interesting note here: a push-button failed and locked in an alert, so it had to be replaced – but the C-Walk has not failed once since its initial installation! B
Jim Rhine (DPW&T) and Jim Lampe (CT) working together to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in PG County.
THE INSIDER › JULY 2010
APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT
Intelligent Signs Guide You to Your Parking Space in the City of Kortrijk
Parko, a parking company in Kortrijk, has introduced a unique project for Belgium. In March 2010, a Parking Guidance & Information (PGI) system became operational to improve traffic efficiency in and near the city. This is the first time Traficon has been involved in such a PGI system project. Reason enough to share this rather atypical video detection project with you!
What is a PGI system? Parking Guidance and Information systems are designed to help drivers find vacant parking spaces. PGI systems combine traffic monitoring, communication, intelligent processing and variable message sign technologies to present drivers with dynamic information on parking within controlled areas. By directing drivers to car parks where occupancy levels are low, PGI systems reduce search time, which in turn reduces congestion on the surrounding roads – thus reducing air pollution, with the ultimate aim of enhancing quality of life in the urban area.
Koen Soenens (Traficon) and Jean-Paul Vandewinckele (Parko)
The traffic data delivered to these intelligent and dynamic signs are provided by six TrafiCam Collect-R sensors. These data collection sensors are positioned at strategic locations throughout the city (mainly on the heavily trafficked access roads). The TrafiCam Collect-R constantly gathers data on traffic flow and traffic density. These data are then transferred wirelessly via modem to the Parko control centre, from which traffic routes or parking alternatives are automatically (de)activated. This Kortrijk project is a joint achievement by Parko, Flow, Vialis and Traficon. Jean-Paul Vandewinckele, Managing Director of Parko: “Compared to alternative detection systems, this intelligent sensor offers us multiple benefits: infrastructure and maintenance costs are lower, it leads to more accurate results, and it’s a durable solution. Furthermore, the TrafiCam Collect-Rs are really flexible to use. We were able to install them on the existing public lighting infrastructure – and, as all six sensors are solar-powered, their power consumption is low. And with the evolution from parking to traffic guidance systems, the visual feedback you can get from this video sensor offers a lot of possibilities for controlling and monitoring traffic in and around the city.” Koen Soenens, Traficon’s Manager for Belgium: “What really makes this project unique is that this system is operating in a city environment. Normally, PGI systems are used outside the city centre to keep traffic outside the city.” B
"It leads to more accurate results and it’s a durable solution"
The Kortrijk Case Via 36 dynamic message signs, drivers in Kortrijk are informed in real-time about the free spaces at the city’s 7 different parking lots. If one parking lot is full, these intelligent signs will guide the driver to the nearest alternative parking lot. In addition, if there is a traffic jam or a road is blocked due to an accident, these message signs will advise the road user of an alternative route.
TRAFICON STUDIOS HOW TO REACH US WORLDWIDE Traficon (HQ) Tel.: +32 (0)56 37 22 00 Fax: +32 (0)56 37 21 96 E-mail: traficon@traficon.com
Traficon USA Tel.: +1 (702) 851 5880 Fax: +1 (702) 851 5881 E-mail: traficon@traficonusa.com
Traficon Asia - Shanghai Tel.: +86 21 6423 2115 Fax: +86 21 6423 2115 E-mail: traficon@traficonasia.com
Traficon Asia - Beijing Tel.: +86 10 8532 2980-607 Fax: +86 10 8532 5152 E-mail: traficon@traficonasia.com
Traficon France Tel.: +33 686 552 725 Fax: +33 442 738 875 E-mail: traficon@traficonfrance.com
Traficon Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 5446 20 65 32 Fax: +49 (0) 5446 20 65 34 E-mail: traficon@traficongermany.com
Traficon UK Tel.: +44 560 271 4559 Fax: +32 (0)56 37 21 96 E-mail: traficon@traficon.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
WWW.TRAFICON.COM TRAFICON : “THE INSIDER - ISSUE 16” k LODE CAENEPEEL l STIJN VANDEBUERIE a KOEN SOENENS NICO VERSTRAETE JIM LAMPE e STIJN VANDEBUERIE g JIM LAMPE ANDREA GREGGIO STEVEN VAN CAET £ JEAN-PAUL VANDEWINCKELE JIM RHINE PHILIPPE GÉLIN DRIES VERBRUGGE PETER JAMÉE w DAVID LIBEERT COPYRIGHT © MMX 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.