Without a doubt, Croatia is a popular tourist destination. In 2019, a record number of 21 million tourists visited this Southern European country, many of them by car. The large numbers of seasonal tourists join local drivers each year and put the Croatian road infrastructure under immense pressure. Furthermore, depending on the location, traffic can be affected by various weather conditions, from extreme high temperatures to strong wind and snow. Therefore, the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) decided to install traffic cameras at key locations throughout the country such as border crossings, toll stations, highway junctions, ferry ports, bridges, and tunnels. The aim was to provide drivers with real-time images of the current traffic situation.

Solution
Initially, the project ran on analog video cameras. The images were then digitized using Axis video servers and sent to the HAK web server periodically. As the technology progressed, a network of Axis cameras replaced the old analog devices. Today, the system is mainly based on Axis cameras monitoring locations with increased threat of heavy traffic or harsh weather conditions. Hence, the requirements were obvious: cameras resistant to extreme weather divergency with reliable performance and possible advance software integration. The Axis camera fleet uses the bullet-type AXIS P1425-LE Mk II and AXIS P1427-LE, fixed box AXIS M1125-E, and AXIS Q6155-E PTZ Network Cameras.

Result
The primary objective of the camera installation has undoubtedly been met: The network of approximately 260 cameras on Croatian roads has increased safety for everyone. With HAK being a national authority on traffic information in Croatia, providing drivers with traffic information is a matter of public interest. The real-time images from the locations surpass other information channels in reliability and impact on drivers, be it in terms of snow conditions, heavy traffic, or other occurrences on the road. Traffic information is available on the HAK website and mobile app to anyone with internet access, and the HAK plans to continuously expand the number of camera locations.

“In our project, images must be delivered swiftly to web-servers/webcache, rather than to a central recording unit or a surveillance room videowall, as they primarily end up on our website and mobile apps that are available to the general public. This makes digitizing the image on an IP video server a must for us rather than an option.” Goran Baotić, M.Sc., head of the business support division in the HAK.

RISK conference is the largest specialized information security and networking event in Southeast Europe, taking place on the 18th and 19th of March 2020 in the Congress Centre Thermana in Laško, Slovenia.

It will feature over 70 presentations, workshops and technical demonstrations by top experts from around the world, including a featured keynote by information security evangelist Ramses Gallego. The action will take place in 6 conference halls with dedicated networking and fun areas and will be attended by over 600 IT professionals from 25+ countries around the world.

Changes and latest trends in the cybersecurity landscape will be discussed by world experts, including topics such as ransomware, identity management, analytics and incident response, security operations center, critical infrastructure, malicious software, intrusion prevention, threat detection and many more, all under the event theme “Building the Future”.

Official website:
https://risk-conference.com/

Registration:
https://risk-conference.com/registration/

On the afternoon of November 6th, delegates from Serbia visited Dahua Technology headquarters: Chief of Shumadija region of Serbia, Mrs. Biljana llic Stosic; Adviser to the mayor of Kragujevac, Mr. Dusan Davidovic; General Manager of Serbian Post, Mrs. Mira Petrovic; and Mr. Dejan Pesut. They were warmly received by Dahua VP, General Manager of Dahua Overseas Business Center, Mr. Jason Zhao, along with Managing Director of Dahua CEE & Nordic, Mr. Colin Wang, Technical Director of Dahua Serbia, Mr. Frank Hu and Sales Director of Traffic & Government Solution, Mr. Leo Xu.

The visit started with a tour of the Dahua showroom, where the delegates had first-hand experience of all the company’s cutting-edge technologies and solution offerings. After the tour, a meeting was held where Mr. Frank Hu introduced the company to the guests and shared some of the company’s successful projects in Serbia, as well as its solutions in Safe City, Smart Traffic, Smart Logistics and other industries. The representatives from Serbia also actively participated in the meeting and gave informative speeches. According to Mrs. Biljana，Shumadija will be the next data centre and technology distribution centre in Serbia because of its favourable location, convenient logistics and transportation, and high level of education. In addition, Mrs. Mira Petrovic talked about the history of the Serbian Post and stated that currently they have 17,000 employees and thousands of branches throughout the country. At the same time, she expressed great interest in future cooperation with Dahua Technology in transportation and logistics. Mr. Dusan also delivered a speech with the introduction of Kragujevac, the capital city of Shumadija.

Lastly, Mr. Zhao expressed his warm welcome to the three distinguished guests on behalf of the company, with emphasis on Dahua Technology’s capabilities in providing various solutions. He also introduced Dahua’s Serbian subsidiary, which has 15 employees and 2 offices to serve the local customers in terms of security maintenance and urban construction.

In response to Mrs. Biljana’s invitation to visit Shumadija for further details of technology import, Mr. Colin Wang promised that the local team of Dahua Serbia will continue to follow up on cooperation opportunities in various potential fields such as transportation, logistics, retail and safe cities.

Adhering to the core concept of openness, Dahua Technology has been seeking cooperation opportunities in different industries and fields. This visit has deepened the relationship between Dahua Technology and the Serbian government, and has strengthened the foundation for Dahua Technology’s future projects and businesses in this region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans for all major UK airports to introduce ground-breaking new 3D cabin baggage screening equipment, this is following, an announcement from Heathrow Airport saying that it will be investing £50 million in CT technology for screening carry-on baggage at all four of its terminals, a move that will enhance safety and streamline the experience of both passengers and security colleagues.

New baggage-screening devices that use computed tomography (CT) technology can remove this inconvenience, allowing passengers to leave both large electronic devices and liquids in their bags as they pass through security. This helps reduce stress at the start of a journey and contributes to a more enjoyable passenger experience.

Originally used in hospitals, Computed Tomography (CT) is an advanced X-ray technology which also allows for the layered 3D images to be rotated and dissected, enabling more efficient detection of threats and potentially ending the need to take liquids and laptops out of bags. As fewer trays need to be handled, because liquids and laptops can remain in bags, there can be a significant increase in checkpoint throughput.

Smiths Detection has already reported that its technology – namely the Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX cabin-baggage screening system based on the latest CT technology – has been used by the airport in trials in the past year.

The new technology will be rolled out over the next few years, with the Department for Transport requiring all major UK airports to have the technology by 1 December 2022.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We are home to the largest aviation network in Europe, with millions of people passing through our airports every year for work, holidays and family visits. We’re set to streamline those trips with the rollout of this ground-breaking technology – cutting down hassle for travellers and improving security measures. By making journeys through UK airports easier than ever, this new equipment will help boost the vital role our airports play in securing the UK’s position as a global hub for trade, tourism and investment.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The new screening equipment will improve security and make the experience smoother and less stressful for passengers. It could also mean an end to passengers having to use plastic bags or rationing what they take away with them. As an outward looking global nation, our transport hubs are more important than ever, and investing in our security infrastructure means we are investing in our nation’s future.

Heathrow Airport is currently still trialling the new 3D equipment which will be gradually rolled out at other UK airports. The innovative new equipment may have the potential to reduce the amount of time required for security screening and could significantly decrease the amount of plastic used at major UK airports, with passengers no longer required to put their liquids in plastic bags before being screened.