2020 Vision use Axis camera technology to help safeguard passengers travelling through the new Tyne Tunnel

The New Tyne Crossing project is one of the UK’s biggest transport infrastructure projects. A second vehicle tunnel, which opened earlier this year, has been constructed under the River Tyne in the North East and will serve all south-bound traffic. The existing Tyne Tunnel which is currently undergoing a full refurbishment, will service all north-bound traffic once it is reopened. The tunnels travel between North and South Tyneside and the existing tunnel regularly served 38,000 customers per day.

AXIS P1343 Network Cameras will be used in both the North and South-bound tunnels to detect incidents so that they can be dealt with as quickly as possible to avoid congestion and keep drivers safe. Axis cameras are also installed at the toll plaza providing surveillance of each lane and record highly detailed images of the all cars passing through the toll. These images are used to classify images and tie the vehicle type and registration plate to any fraudulent activity.

2020 Vision Systems Limited deployed the Axis cameras and also hosts the recording system which feeds images taken from the Axis cameras to the tunnel’s traffic incident management system. This system then alerts the tunnels staff when an incident such as a crash, breakdown or a fire occurs.

Peter Houlis, Managing Director, 2020 Vision Technology said: “The safety of anyone passing through the tunnels is of prime importance, so when specifying the cameras, the ability to share and access video images quickly was essential if an incident needs to be examined and dealt with immediately.

“We were keen to deploy network cameras from Axis as we felt we could offer a better all round technical solution by partnering with them. Their cameras offer high-performing video surveillance and excellent image quality.”

Phil Doyle, regional director, Northern Europe, Axis Communications said: “The AXIS P1343 provides the tunnels’ operators with the high quality images throughout the day and night.

“The camera is also robust, yet extremely easy to deploy. It simplifies the installation process and makes it easy to move the cameras if needed.”

The AXIS P1343 Network Camera delivers excellent H.264 performance in a robust design. Video quality is provided with progressive scan in multiple individual H.264 streams, as well as Motion JPEG streams. The focus assistant, remote back focus and pixel counter feature simplifies installations.

Viewing Standards of Interest - update

The publication in September 2010 of EN 50132-1:2010 - System requirements finally saw the completion of a full set of Standards for CCTV systems; some ten years after the first parts of the EN 50132 - Alarm systems. CCTV surveillance systems for use in security applications series were first published.

The CENELEC working group currently responsible for development of the standard is working on revisions to EN 50132-5:2001 - Alarm systems. CCTV surveillance systems for use in security applications - Video transmission, are being divided into three parts:-

· EN 50132-5-1. Video Transmission Requirements
· EN 50132-5-2. IP Video Transmission Protocols
· EN 50132-5-3. Analogue & Digital Video Interfaces

Publication for these revised standards is scheduled for late 2012. However, it is believed that responsibility for CCTV standards is to be passed to IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), who are also responsible for the development of Access Control standards.

BS EN 50132-7:1996 covers application guidelines. The above standards are supported by a raft of related standards. Further information of which can be found at www.ssaib.org or from the BSI.

Degree of Success for 2020 Vision at Newcastle University Business School

Six international students from Newcastle University Business School were invited by 2020 Vision to participate in a project to encourage diversity, equal opportunities and training within the organization, as part of their final year degree course.

The partnership between Newcastle University and 2020 Vision delivered excellent results to increase knowledge, communication, legislation and a review of the UK Human Resource process. These ‘life skills opportunities’ provided the students valuable experience towards their Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification.

Newcastle University Project Manager, Sarah Carnegie has praised the success of the partnership and commitment from 2020 Vision stating ‘it’s a further demonstration of the level of support you have provided to the students’.

2020 Vision General Manager, Dawn McIntyre worked closely with the students throughout the project and encouraged the group to make the most of this opportunity regarding research, interviews and data processing. Dawn also worked closely with Newcastle University to ensure that a scheduled project was delivered to timescale and to agreed objectives.

Dawn praised each student stating “It was a breath of fresh air to welcome these students on board and it was a proud moment to watch them complete the group presentation. All students worked really well and delivered a fantastic presentation to the University”.

The project contents were put together by the General Manager and involved Recruitment, Interviews, Induction Day, Training & Appraisals.

Students, Zohra Agowun, Ashwini Navle, Deng Xinlei, Asset Yeshimbetov, Ting Gao and Yuan Zhou worked within these categories to look at the current 2020 Vision Human Resource system and submitted their recommendations or suggestions to improve on current management control.

Dr Fiona Whitehurst, Director of Engagement at Newcastle University commented ‘we would like to thank you for giving the students this opportunity to work within your organisation as part of their degree programme. Sarah Carnegie is delighted with the work you have done with the students and the experience of working on live projects is immensely valuable to them.’

2020 Vision Managing Director, Peter Houlis said “we are fully committed to living up to our Corporate Social Responsibilities’ CSR. This mutually beneficial relationship resulted in a win-win situation, we gained improvement in our HR policies and procedures, the students gained real life experience in dealing with real business issues”.

2020 Vision’s Peter Houlis talks about migration

The annual CCTV User Group Conference takes place this year at The Belfry Hotel, Birmingham 13th -15th of June.

Peter Houlis managing Director of 2020 Vision Systems Limited has been invited to give his presentation on migration from analogue to IP CCTV based upon his recent article, From A to IP, published in Info4Security.

The theme of the conference “Challenges or Opportunities” explores the challenges every CCTV Manager is currently facing in terms of budget restraints on the operation of their CCTV system, the potential Government Regulation of Public Area CCTV and the current consultation on a new Code of Practice and the development of standards.

Conversely the optimist will always see every challenge faced, poses an opportunity. The User Group will explore how they can influence the future approach to Public Area CCTV. As well as looking at what CCTV Managers have achieved; developing income streams and embracing new technology to reduce costs and improve performance.

In line with the theme Peter’s presentation addresses the issues of why and how might end users switch from an analogue to a network video-based surveillance solution and outlines the reasons why migration is now such a compelling argument for host businesses.

The annual CCTV User Group Conference is the opportunity for those representing or involved in CCTV operation and management to gain and develop the skills, knowledge and techniques needed to address issues that really matter to today’s Public Space surveillance professionals.

For more information about the CCTV User Group and this prestigious event visit http://www.cctvusergroup.com