For the second time this year the Dutch Ministry of Transport has used camera, pan & tilt and telemetry assemblies from leading UK CCTV manufacturer Conway Security Products.
After initially installing the units on the Netherlands equivalent of the M25 around Amsterdam, the Dutch highway authorities are now installing the equipment on the A1 motorway to the southeast of the capital. The project uses gantry-mounted cameras to monitor stretches of hard shoulder before the extra lane is opened as a relief measure in rush hours.
Project consultant, Infraconcepts Netherlands NV, has stressed that the Conway assemblies are manifestly fit for purpose. Monitoring long stretches of hard shoulder requires a large lens (in this case a Pentax 12-240mm zoom) combined with a robust high-resolution camera (a 480TVL Baxall model). Both are seamlessly integrated with the Conway pan & tilt, housing and Omega receiver.
Nick Zwern of Infraconcepts said: "We are giving the client quality images at 750 metres when our nearest competitor could only offer 250 metres. Additionally, we have full control of the camera and its configuration through the existing matrix system. This not only reduces installation time but increases functionality with no additional capital costs. Thanks to the quality and performance of the Conway assembly we have met and exceeded the customer's demanding specification."
The Conway solution meets the Dutch highway authority's stringent image quality demands measured on the Rotakin standard. Developed in the UK by the Police Scientific Development Branch, the Rotakin standard audits the efficiency of camera systems using a human silhouette target that is 1.6m in height. When the target fills the screen it is said to be 100R%. The Conway assembly has equalled and exceeded this standard.
Chris Newman of Conway said: "As with all projects of this type, the performance of the whole system can be compromised by a weak link in the chain. The Conway receivers, pan & tilts and housings are working with the other components to deliver a powerful, application-specific solution. You need only look at the choice of camera and lens to know that there have been no compromises when it comes to product quality. Infrastructure projects of this kind are now a major aspect of the European market. We are integrating our units with several best of breed products from other premier manufacturers into a single assembly. By working with customers such as Infraconcepts we understand the pressures and disciplines they work under in their sectors. Closing a motorway lane is a hugely expensive exercise and the ability to install a complex CCTV solution through one multi-pole connector can save hours and therefore thousands of Euros."
