Ericeira, a coastal town on Portugal's western edge, attracts tourists and surfers alike, particularly during the busy summer months.
As the population swells above its usual 10,000 residents, traffic congestion has become a growing concern. The Municipal Council of Mafra, which manages Ericeira, identified the need for enhanced traffic monitoring and control to alleviate congestion and minimize accident risks.
Enhancing Traffic and Pedestrian Flow
Hanwha Vision was selected for its reliable camera technology to support these needs
The town’s main road, National Road 247, sees significant use and was targeted for a smart traffic management upgrade. At key pedestrian crossings, where traffic halts to let people cross, congestion issues were pronounced. The local council sought a system that could dynamically respond to fluctuating traffic and pedestrian volumes to maintain efficient flow.
A comprehensive technical assessment by local installer Soltrafego highlighted the necessity for advanced video surveillance and traffic analysis capabilities. Hanwha Vision was selected for its reliable camera technology to support these needs.
Monitoring Congestion with Advanced Technology
Signal-controlled intersections in Ericeira saw the installation of four QNO-C8083R AI cameras each, with two cameras positioned to observe traffic in both directions and the remaining two dedicated to pedestrian zones.
These cameras establish entry and exit points, tallying vehicles and conveying this data to traffic light controllers to adapt red and green light durations based on real-time traffic conditions.
Additionally, virtual zones on both sides of pedestrian crossings are monitored to gauge the waiting crowd size. Once a set number of people accumulate, the pedestrian green light initiates, pausing traffic and facilitating safe pedestrian movement to avoid overcrowding.
Enhancing Efficiency and Future Planning
Ericeira has seen notable improvements in traffic and pedestrian management due to the intelligent traffic system, especially during peak tourist season. The real-time data-driven adjustment of traffic signals by the QNO-C8083R cameras reduces unnecessary waits and enhances safety at intersections.
Automated controls for traffic lights and pedestrian crossings enhance operational efficiency, reflecting actual traffic conditions without the need for manual management. By utilizing existing infrastructure, no significant construction was necessary for the camera installations.
The collected data holds value for ongoing town planning, and the initiative serves as a model for nearby towns with similar traffic challenges.
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Ericeira, a seaside town on the western coast of Portugal, is a popular tourist destination and is known as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe. It has a population of just over 10,000 citizens with this increasing during the busy summer season.
The Municipal Council of Mafra, the local government body overseeing the region, recognized that the increase in traffic during the summer months needed greater monitoring and control to reduce congestion and the risk of accidents.
Improving traffic and pedestrian flow
A national road, 247, is the main through route for the town and, therefore, is priority for an intelligent traffic management system.
At marked crossings where traffic will stop for pedestrians, congestion was particularly acute. The council wanted a solution that would prevent static, inefficient traffic and could adapt to dynamic changes in vehicle and pedestrian flow.
Local installer Soltrafego undertook a detailed technical study that identified the need for intelligent video surveillance and traffic analysis. Hanwha Vision was chosen due to its effective and robust cameras.
Monitoring congestion
Cameras were installed at signal-controlled intersections, with four QNO-C8083R AI cameras installed per intersection. Two were positioned to monitor traffic in both directions, and the other two covered pedestrian areas.
Entry and exit zones were set up to monitor vehicle flow, counting the number of vehicles and sending this volume data to traffic light controllers. Traffic light red and green intervals would be automatically adjusted according to detected traffic density.
Two virtual zones on each side of the pedestrian crossings were set up on the other two cameras to monitor the number of people waiting in those areas. When the number of people reaches a pre-defined threshold, the pedestrian green light is triggered, and traffic is stopped to prevent overcrowding at the waiting area and ensure a safe crossing for pedestrians.
A boosted traffic and pedestrian experience
Thanks to the implemented intelligent traffic solution, vehicle and pedestrian movements in Ericeira have improved, especially during the summer months. Optimized traffic light timing based on real-time, dynamic data from the QNO-C8083R cameras avoids unnecessary delays and lowers the risk of accidents at the crossing points where the cameras are installed.
Automating traffic light and pedestrian crossing controls improves operator efficiency and meets actual demand without manual input. The cameras were installed within existing infrastructure, requiring no extensive construction or physical alterations.
The data collected by the cameras can be used to inform future town improvements, and the installation has become a pilot model for other towns in the area that are facing similar challenges.
