Videor delivers CCTV technology for the Metro in Rotterdam
A safe and high-capacity public transportation system that is accepted by its passengers brings success. The Rotterdam Electric Tramway (RET) – operating company for a well-balanced network made up of buses, trams and metro trains – plans for tomorrow’s requirements, and is investing in upgrading its CCTV system. The components installed by the Dutch companies CTC and Imtech have ensured that all incidents have been permanently documented since March.
Over 600,000 passengers use the RET transportation network every day so that they can quickly and safely arrive at their destination. The metro route network has a length of 176 kilometres, plus there are 93 kilometres of tram tracks – this means there are over 150 stops including the bus routes. Video cameras view all incidents around the clock – regardless of whether this is on the well-frequented square in front of the “Rotterdam Centraal” railway station, or in the entrance zones of the centrally located “Zuidplein” metro station. The large majority of the over 1100 cameras are used solely for train management.
Safety for personnel and passengers
The decision was made to opt for Fujitsu, eneo, Pelco and Dallmeier products in order to ensure an effective security concept. Previously, RET had installed a new access control system for access control at its metro stations so that only passengers with a ticket could go onto the platforms. In the next stage, Communication Technology Center (CTC) installed an additional 160 Fujitsu cameras at 35 of the 44 metro stations. One purpose of the cameras is to monitor the access control system, SOS-telephones and ticket machines. Another purpose is to increase security for personnel and passengers in the stations, and also make fare dodging more difficult.
Clear advantage: Fujitsu CG-202P with Wide Dynamic Range
Selection of the camera model turned out not to be so easy, as the difficult light conditions encountered in surveillance of metro stations place high demands on camera dynamics. Just where standard cameras quickly reach their limits is the point where the installed Fujitsu CG-202P with Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) shows a clear advantage. With a dynamic range of 1:1000 (60 dB), it is ideal for surveillance situations where zones with low and high lighting intensities are under surveillance at the same time. They deliver first-class images due to the WDR and automatic shutter adaptation to changes, even in backlight.
Dallmeier recorders for 24-hour surveillance
Fibre optic cables are used to transmit the camera images into the central traffic control centre where, along with images from the other cameras, they are monitored 24-hours per day on 40 monitors. The system upgrade allows images from 750 cameras to be permanently recorded and viewed at any time by the police and RET. Permanent recording of events assists subsequent investigations, and can be beneficial, as the judiciary and insurance companies accept them as evidence. CTC housed the security equipment, including eleven Pelco 9760 Matrixes along with the 15 Dallmeier DMS 180 III Recorders with a total storage capacity of 5550 GB, in four 19-inch server cabinets.
“Efficient interaction of preventative measures”
Cees van Driel (RET): “The interaction of the preventative measures introduced has shown itself to be efficient, and it has started to take an effect: crimes have dropped back strongly – the cameras really scare off potential criminals. They don’t have only potential crimes against passengers and personnel in their sights; rather they are also directed against vandalism such as graffiti, scratching and wilful damage. In summary, it can be said that the inter-firm cooperation with Imtech and CTC worked outstandingly, and we were able to count on the experience and expertise of our partners in all respects.”
