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Temporary CCTV keeps motorway traffic flowing
Nov 2 2010
Reading UK
Helping to ensure traffic runs as smoothly as possible over stretches of motorway roadworks, Norbain have supplied products for a series of temporary camera systems, which have been used across the UK.
Installing over 200 cameras in the sector last year, P&D Specialist Services design and build CCTV systems for the highways industry, providing on-site Traffic Safety and Control Officers (TSCOs) with invaluable information regarding incidents, accidents and on-site vehicle recovery operations.
As a result of a motorway's hard shoulder being used as a 'running lane', in the event of a breakdown or accident motorists may have nowhere to stop safely to summon assistance. This is where P&D's CCTV systems come in. Offering real-time overviews of an entire stretch of works, their solution employs Pelco day/night Esprit PTZ cameras with wipers, spaced at 500m intervals and linked back to a manned 24/7 on-site control cabin.
Fibre-optic cables are used to cope with the long distances involved - up to 17km in some cases. "We follow a largely modular approach to get the whole system set-up quickly and with minimal fuss," explains Frank Gearon of P&D Specialist Services. "We've been handling electrical projects in this sector for over 20 years now, and we're very experienced in what is needed and the best way to achieve it."
VideoSwitch DVRs, a Pelco matrix, and video distribution amplifiers are sited in the control cabin. Footage can be viewed on Vista monitors and is held for 31 days before being overwritten. As well as monitoring motorists, Vista PowerDome 1/3" 18:1 day/night cameras are used at site compounds for security purposes "We use Norbain to supply all this kit for a number of reasons," says Mr Gearon. "They have a large stock holding and give us the fast delivery our projects demand. We can provide Norbain with a schedule of equipment and events, and they'll hold the stock we need and deliver it when it's required - a very important factor for our customers and us. Another important factor is the strong account management we receive, providing the support we need across many brands."
Very happy with the systems P&D have supplied, main Contractor Birse Civils recently brought the company in for a project covering the M4, between Junctions 8/9 and 10. "CCTV plays a vital role, providing the various other services, such as the TSCO, with the information they need to do their jobs effectively," says Richard Crichton, an Agent with Birse Civils.
For more information about the wide range of CCTV solutions availble through Norbain, please visit www.norbain.com.
