A CCTV system from Vicon is contributing to improved traffic management in Durham City Centre.
Vicon's Surveyor dome cameras and Kollector DVRs are assisting the local authority to encourage visitors to use the centre's shopping and recreational facilities while discouraging them from travelling in their cars.
The CCTV system is contributing to the security of vehicles in Park and Ride facilities at three locations on the outskirts of Durham. It is considered particularly important that vehicles should be safeguarded at these sites since potential thieves and vandals know that cars are likely to be there for a large part of the day.
The Vicon equipment is not only making people feel more comfortable about leaving their cars out of town but has also thrown up some remarkable success stories.
Eagle-eyed operators using the Surveyor dome noticed that a lady customer had a flat tyre. Since regular customers pay with pre-credited Smart cards, staff were able to enter the registration plate into a database, access the customer's details, forewarn her that she had a flat and even arrange for attendants to assist her when she returned! More impressive still, there has been a case in which an operator noticed keys left in a vehicle's ignition. Management secured the car and the keys were left waiting in reception for the driver.
The scheme, which went live in December, is overseen by Durham County Council and run by NCP who report to the Council under a management contract. The principal site is Belmont with the satellite locations communicating by fibre network over a LAN using the ViconNet software platform. Operators at Belmont take control of the Howlands Farm and Sniperley cameras when required.
County Council traffic managers are exploiting the flexibility of the ViconNet software platform which allows them freedom to place cameras and DVRs at strategic points anywhere in the system and so best meet the needs of car drivers and security operators.
Camera coverage at the pay stations is extensive so customers are reassured that there is a monitoring presence as they handle cash or credit cards. And if a customer is seen to spend more than time than usual at the pay station, perhaps being unsure how to work the ticket machine, again an observant operator in the control room can assist them and a friendly voice and face can come over the tannoy and screen offering advice.
The fact that Durham residents now have confidence to leave their vehicles in the park and ride facilities is proving to be of general benefit to the community and environment. David Battensby of Durham County Council's Traffic Section said: "Everything about this operation had to have the stamp of quality from the dedicated, liveried buses to the pictures from the Vicon CCTV system. Footage from the Vicon DVRs gives us the kind of data we need and provides Durham Constabulary with high quality images where necessary."
Chris Wall, Managing Director of Vicon, said: "This application shows how CCTV is improving people's lives at different levels. We hear that 500 less vehicles a day are entering the city centre. The knock-on benefits will be substantial. Falling congestion and pollution levels and improved pedestrian safety and comfort will make shopping and leisure activities that more pleasurable."
