Industries where vehicles regularly interact with pedestrians, such as logistics centers, airports, and industrial parks, face unique safety challenges due to the absence of standard traffic rules.
These environments require vigilant monitoring to prevent accidents that can result in personal injuries, production interruptions, and financial losses. Automatic monitoring systems are becoming increasingly important for ensuring safety in these high-risk zones.
Westcotec's Cutting-Edge Technology
Westcotec, a UK-based specialist in safety and surveillance solutions, aims to reduce risks in industrial and traffic areas through innovative technology.
This technology ensures high-resolution image capture for accurate detection of vehicle speeds
Their Automatic Speed Watch Camera (ASWC) system seamlessly integrates speed measurement with vehicle identification, powered by the advanced image processing technology from IDS Imaging Development Systems, a German industrial camera manufacturer. This technology ensures high-resolution image capture for accurate detection of vehicle speeds and license plates.
Advanced Vehicle Data Identification
According to Olly Samways, Westcotec's Sales Director, many internal safety protocols fall short of preventing hazardous driving behaviors, sparking a need for intelligent systems that actively promote safer practices.
The ASWC captures essential details, including license plate information, speed, date, and time. It leverages radar-assisted processing and ANPR matching to accurately identify vehicle data. Integration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides additional vehicle specifics such as make, model, and color.
Efficient Data Management
The data collected by the ASWC is formatted for easy interpretation and export, enabling detailed analysis and identification of repeated offenses.
This data can prompt targeted initiatives to enhance driving conduct. Users can access data via Wi-Fi or USB, remotely manage it through the Westconnect platform, or receive automated email updates. Additionally, an SD card feature allows for convenient data storage without the constant necessity of a connected laptop.
High-Quality Imaging Performance
Customizable Areas of Interest (AOIs) allow simultaneous capture of multiple image features
The core technology of the ASWC is an IDS uEye LE industrial camera with a 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor from e2v, known for its high sensitivity and superior image quality.
Available in mono, color, and NIR versions, the camera offers flexibilities like switching between global shutter and rolling shutter modes, ensuring clear capture of fast-moving objects and adaptability to varying lighting conditions. Customizable Areas of Interest (AOIs) allow simultaneous capture of multiple image features.
Consistent and Reliable System Integration
Samways highlights that the IDS technology offers the necessary flexibility, enabling effective image capture regardless of ambient light conditions.
The ASWC's compatibility with USB3 and GigE Vision ensures quick, reliable data transfer and efficient handling of large image files, even in heavy traffic. The system's hardware compatibility supports seamless integration with third-party platforms for data analysis, alerting, or visualization.
Enhancing Site Safety Standards
Adopted by UK police, local authorities, and private operators, the ASWC is implemented in diverse settings from logistics centers to airport perimeters, aiming to mitigate dangerous driving practices without additional personnel.
Automated data collection supports effective interventions like traffic management
The system is easy to install, leading to observable decreases in average speeds and compliance improvements with internal safety standards post-installation. Automated data collection supports effective interventions like traffic management, structural changes, and training programs.
Strategic Safety Enhancements
Rather than functioning merely as a deterrent, the ASWC is designed as a preventative tool that fosters safety awareness and promotes long-term proactive safety strategies. Its mobility, precise data capture, and integration capabilities enhance operational safety and lay the groundwork for strategic adjustments to minimize risks.
Future-Focused Developments
Responding to evolving demands for cloud-based access, adaptive reporting tools, and scalable solutions, Westcotec plans to expand their offerings with advancements like access control, vehicle classification, dynamic hazard detection, and pedestrian protection. "We want to push the boundaries of image processing in traffic areas further by combining hardware performance with intuitive software to create safer environments," adds Samways.
In addition to speed monitoring systems, Westcotec also manufactures specialized devices such as Flood Warning, Bridge Height Warning, and Collision Avoidance Systems, utilizing above-ground technology to cater to diverse safety needs.
Whether on the yard of a logistics centre, along the perimeter of an airport, or in an industrial park, these areas do not follow standard traffic rules. At the same time, they are highly sensitive: vehicles often move near pedestrians, forklifts, or machinery.
A moment of inattention, combined with excessive speed, can have serious consequences – from personal injury to production downtime and high costs. For safety reasons, vehicle movements on industrial and traffic sites are increasingly monitored automatically.
Image processing technology
The British company Westcotec specialises in safety and surveillance solutions for industrial and traffic areas. It develops systems that intelligently link vehicle and personnel safety, helping businesses and municipalities to minimize risks.
To meet these needs, Westcotec developed the Automatic Speed Watch Camera (ASWC), an automated system that combines speed measurement and vehicle identification. The system relies on the proven image processing technology of the German industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems, which provides high-resolution image data for reliable detection of vehicle speed and license plates.
Identify vehicle data
“We repeatedly see that internal safety rules are not enough to prevent dangerous driving. Intelligent systems are needed that not only record data but actively contribute to changing behavior,” explains Olly Samways, Sales Director at Westcotec.
The Automatic Speed Watch Camera detects vehicles exceeding a defined speed limit and captures a high-resolution image. In addition to the license plate, speed, date and time are recorded; Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) integration provides further details such as make, model, and color. Processing is radar-assisted and uses ANPR matching to reliably identify vehicle data.
Excellent image quality
The information is then structured, making it easy to interpret, export, and use for analysis. Repeating offences can also be detected and serve as the basis for targeted measures to improve driving behavior. Data can be accessed via Wi-Fi or USB, managed remotely through the Westconnect platform, or automatically delivered by email. Secure Digital (SD) card recording eliminates the need for a laptop to always remain connected.
The core of the ASWC is an IDS uEye LE industrial camera. This camera features a 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor from e2v, offering highlight sensitivity and excellent image quality. It is available in mono, color, and NIR variants. The ability to switch between global shutter and rolling shutter modes during operation ensures that fast movements are captured reliably and the camera adapts to changing lighting conditions. Up to four individually definable Areas of Interest (AOIs) can be set to evaluate specific image regions and capture multiple features simultaneously.
Maintaining consistent performance
“The IDS technology gives us the flexibility we need. We can switch between different shutter modes to ensure every image is usable, whether in daylight or at dusk,” emphasises Samways.
The ASWC is also compatible with USB3 and GigE Vision, providing fast and reliable data transfer. Large image files can be retrieved quickly, and the system maintains consistent performance even under high traffic. It can also be easily integrated into third-party systems for data analysis, alerting, or visualization. This comprehensive hardware compatibility increases reliability, speeds up data handling, and allows seamless integration into modern digital site environments.
Internal safety standards
The ASWC is now used by UK police forces, local authorities, and private site operators, including logistics centres, industrial parks, and airport surroundings. Operators primarily aimed to reduce dangerous driving without adding extra personnel.
Installation is straightforward: the device is set up, aligned, and ready to operate immediately. After implementation, users consistently report lower average speeds and significant improvements in compliance with internal safety standards. Automated data collection enables targeted measures such as traffic calming, structural adjustments, or internal training sessions.
Dynamic hazard detection
The system is not intended as a deterrent or surveillance tool but as a preventive instrument that raises awareness and contributes to long-term safety. Its strengths lie in mobility, precise data collection, and seamless integration into existing systems. This not only enhances safety on site but also provides a foundation for strategic decisions that optimize operations and reduce risks over time.
Requirements are increasing: customers are asking for cloud-based access, flexible reporting tools, visual deterrence combined with covert enforcement, and scalable solutions for entire sites. Westcotec is responding with a roadmap that includes features such as access control, vehicle classification, dynamic hazard detection, and pedestrian protection. “We want to push the boundaries of image processing in traffic areas further by combining hardware performance with intuitive software to create safer environments,” Samways concludes.
uEye LE
The cost-effective, modular project camera
- Model used: UI 1240LE
- Camera family: uEye LE
Alongside traditional LED speed limit and warning signs, Westcotec produces specialist devices including Flood Warning, Bridge Height Warning and Collision Avoidance Systems using above ground technology.
