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Vertical Solutions

Securing student accommodation: SMARTair™ access control has the flexibility to handle high traffic and rapid resident turnover

Wireless door devices, locker locks and wall readers put accommodation managers in total control

Given the choice, would you rather run security at a bank vault or at student halls of residence? At least the bank job is straightforward: keep the money inside, and everyone else out. If only protecting hundreds of young people was so easy.

Student accommodation blocks are usually large, with high traffic moving from bedrooms to common areas, canteens and libraries. A single resident travelling between her room, a study area, the gym and a couple of trips offsite would use secure doors 15 times a day. In a residence housing just 200 students, that’s 3,000 daily events for the access system to handle.

Rapid student turnover puts a further admin burden on facility managers. Imagine, among hundreds of students living at the halls, just a handful leave or arrive each semester. That’s a couple of manual key handovers to schedule every week, and to chase if a key-holder fails to appear. If keys are not handed in, is a room really secure for its next occupant? And how can you know if one has been copied? With physical keys and mechanical locks, security lacks flexibility, and it’s impossible to get a site overview without a time-wasting manual key audit.

Today’s students, tomorrow’s secure solutions

Mechanical security is not the answer, because mechanical locks don’t offer the control or flexibility managers need. There’s no real-time monitoring, and you can’t generate detailed audit trails for locks or users, meaning there’s no easy way to track unauthorised access — in cases of a theft, for example.

The current crop of students — so-called “Generation Z” — were raised as digital natives. They expect convenience as a standard feature, not a mechanical solution first used in Ancient Egypt. In Europe’s increasingly international, marketised higher education system, attracting these tech-savvy students and keeping them satisfied with the campus experience are critical.

The SMARTair™ wireless access system is built to meet the challenges of securing a student residence:

1. A system needs the product and software robustness to handle so many users, high traffic, and fast resident turnover. SMARTair™ has it.

2. A system should make student life easier with cards, rather than keys. SMARTair™ does.

3. A system should secure more than just doors, including cabinet locks and devices to protect secure areas like car parks. SMARTair™ does.

4. A system must be easy to upgrade in the future, both adding new doors and upgrading the functionality of the devices already installed. SMARTair™ is; it future-proofs your investment.

5. A system should be able to handle additional student services like the vending machines and canteen on the same credential card as the room door lock. SMARTair™ can.

A wireless access control system like SMARTair™ solves admin problems with a combination of control and cost-effectiveness. It is based on battery-powered locks and is easy to retrofit wirelessly to existing premises or incorporate in a new-build. Installers simply swap the existing mechanical lock for a wireless device and link the door to the management software.

Slim, robust SMARTair™ devices can secure almost any opening. Escutcheons (with optional keypad for added security) are ideal for student bedrooms, and fit wood or glass, emergency exit and even fire doors. Available with or without PIN entry, SMARTair™ wall readers can filter lift, main door or car park access. The SMARTair™ knob cylinder is easy to retrofit to management offices; you just replace an existing mechanical cylinder with the SMARTair™ device. For storing belongings, SMARTair™ cabinet and locker locks are configurable in the same system without the need for an extra module.

With SMARTair™, students come and go using programmable smart cards, tags, or even the secure SMARTair™ mobile app — not a cumbersome, easy-to-lose key. SMARTair™ devices support all major RFID technologies. Plus, students only need carry one credential to open their door and access additional onsite services. A single card to unlock their room, secure their belongings inside a locker, enter the library, pay for photocopying and buy lunch makes sense for them. It’s another step to boosting resident convenience.

And because SMARTair™ devices run on standard batteries, the system is also cost-effective for accommodation providers.

Already trusted by students all over Europe

SMARTair™ is already making life easier for student residence managers all over Europe, including at Mezzino’s Rialto Court in Middlesbrough, UK (www.mezzino.co.uk). “We are so pleased with the result. We are already looking to adopt the access control system for the other student accommodation properties we manage nationwide,” says James McGrath, Mezzino’s co-owner and director.

At Funway Academic Resort in Madrid (www.funwayresort.com), student rooms are locked with SMARTair™ escutcheons. Energy-saving wall devices inside rooms regulate electricity use, and students have an individual safe fitted with a SMARTair™ cabinet lock. Students and staff open all their authorised doors with the same access card: the Funway gym, study rooms, games rooms, swimming pool and changing rooms, spa and staff areas are also locked with SMARTair™ escutcheons.

“The system meets the expectations we had and offers very easy maintenance,” says Mario Arias, Facility Manager at Funway.

To discover how SMARTair™ can upgrade student security and put you in total control of your halls of residence, visit www.tesa.es/smartair-students

A Swedish water utility finds access solution to upgrade security, make contractor key management easy and survive harsh Scandinavian climate

London, November 2017 – Dala Vatten och Avfall distributes clean water to four municipalities in the central Swedish region of Dalarna. An inventory of the company’s 20-year-old mechanical locking system revealed it was no longer possible to guarantee the safety of all the keys they had issued. Yet, a single sensitive key in the wrong hands could have serious consequences for a community’s water supply.
Dala Vatten och Avfall decided to invest in a new locking system. They needed to upgrade perimeter security at multiple, dispersed sites against the potential threats of sabotage or terrorism; to keep Dala Vatten och Avfall in full central control of all keys at all times, ensuring no unauthorized valid keys are floating around; and to enable facility managers to manage access authorizations right down to the level of the individual employee or key-holder.

Dala Vatten och Avfall chose CLIQ® Remote, key-based access control based on encrypted electronics incorporated into programmable high-security mechanical cylinders and keys— a technology already trusted at many critical infrastructure sites across Europe.

CLIQ® Remote functionality is designed for companies with dispersed sites and/or key-holders. It allows central admin staff to update access rights centrally, using the CLIQ® Web Manager software, without requiring the workforce to return to base. Keys can also be time-limited for extra protection against loss or theft. Now, key-holders must revalidate each one after a fixed period, and can update their access rights, using portable or wall-mounted Programming Devices placed strategically at Dala Vatten och Avfall’s sites.

“The reason we recommended CLIQ® Remote was precisely the need for controlled authorization at the individual level,” says Lars Thorwalls at Göthes, Dala Vatten och Avfall’s security contractor.

“We no longer have to worry about keys that were never returned by employees or contractors,” adds Roger Lundkvist, production manager at Dala Vatten och Avfall.

It’s easy to manage or cancel key permissions using the CLIQ® Web Manager. The same web-based software makes a comprehensive audit trail for every lock available on demand, so monitoring the frequency of contractor and other key-holder visits is easy. It is straightforward to tailor a contractor’s access rights by restricting key validity to specific places, times or dates.

“The management chore takes just a few hours each month,” says Anna Nordahl, who handles key management for Dala Vatten och Avfall.

With CLIQ®, power to each locking cylinder is supplied by a standard battery inside every CLIQ® key. There’s no wiring, making CLIQ® a fast retrofit solution for doors and padlocks at remote sites where mains electricity is difficult or impossible to connect.

In addition, CLIQ® padlocks can secure almost any opening, making the CLIQ® solution much more adaptable than standard electronic access control systems. And with CLIQ® Remote, Dala Vatten och Avfall can combine mechanical and electromechanical locking in the same installation, tailoring door security to precisely what they need at every specific opening.

Critically for a company operating in Scandinavia, CLIQ® locking hardware also works reliably in the harshest weather conditions. “Our locks are often located in exposed environments,” adds Roger Lundkvist.

“If it works for us in winter, there would be no obstacles to prevent expanding the system to other municipal services.”

About CLIQ®: CLIQ® is a security locking system with high-end microelectronics, programmable keys and cylinders. The system offers a variety of combinations of mechanical and electronic systems to match different security and flexible access needs. Available on the global market place, it provides flexible access and key management solutions for all kinds of locking applications.

About Dala Vatten och Avfall: Based in the Swedish region of Dalarna, Dala Vatten och Avfall distributes water to the municipalities of Gagnef, Leksand, Rättvik and Vansbro. For more information, see www.dalavattenavfall.se.

Can a single, integrated locking system protect banking halls, ATMs and cash in transit?

London, November 2018 – It is hard to think of somewhere with more critical security needs than a bank. While cyber-security grabs the headlines, in the day-to-day business of banking, physical security of people and assets is paramount.

We’ve all seen the heist movies. Of course, in the real world, bank security is more complex than fitting the biggest titanium door you can find. Buildings, ATM housings and cash-in-transit delivery services all have totally different workflows, but each demands high-security locking they can trust, just like a vault.

Could a single locking technology accommodate such a diverse range of needs?

Trusted security & a safety net

For complexity and security, critical infrastructure like power grids and clean water plants set the bar for banks’ locking needs. Coincidentally, this utility sector is among the most enthusiastic adopters of CLIQ® access control.

CLIQ® is a multi-layered locking system which combines key-operated mechanical and electronic protection. A range of high-security cylinders and padlocks for applications beyond doors maximise physical security and attack resistance. CLIQ® technology then layers encrypted, user-friendly electronic security on top — adding control and convenience without the need for wires: all CLIQ® locks for doors, padlocks, cabinets, lifts, gates and any relevant machines are wireless. Power to the lock’s microelectronics comes from a standard battery inside every programmable CLIQ® key.

These layers of physical and electronic security work together to give banks a safety net should a key go missing. Any lost CLIQ® key’s access rights are simply removed, instantly, using the system software and it no longer opens any door, vault or ATM.

Easy installation, easy management for doors, gates and ATMs

Because it’s a key based solution, CLIQ® offers a simple step up from mechanical security to powerful access control, with no change to existing hardware like doors. Retrofitting is hassle-free.

The secure CLIQ® Web Manager software interface works from inside any standard browser, or on an intranet with multi-factor log-in authentication for administrators. Facility managers can control workflows by tailoring every user’s access permissions, without bulging key-chains or having to design a complicated, expensive key management system. One programmable (and reprogrammable) key covers all their needs.

Areas requiring special clearance are easily defined and access to them restricted to specific staff. If multiple system administrators are required, CLIQ® handles it — even across different sites or time-zones.

Facility managers can place programming devices at strategic points — near the staff entrance, say — for employees or contractors to revalidate their permissions regularly. Shorter access rights validity instantly upgrades security in a banking hall or back-office.

Equally, the CLIQ® system can generate an audit trail for any lock or user on demand, thereby streamlining incident investigation. Programming devices collect audit trails at the time of reprogramming. CLIQ® functionality saves you time and money.

CLIQ® can secure more than just doors. CLIQ® cylinders are ideal for ATM housings, and bank staff or third-party vendors don’t even need to carry another key to unlock the ATM. Their single CLIQ® key is programmed to open just the right ATM at the right time — a secure and controlled workflow.

Every opening is tracked and audited within the same Web Manager software, available on a local server or with ASSA ABLOY’s secure Software as a Service (SaaS) option.

Protecting cash on the move

Running a cash transit department or business adds another variable to the security mix: staff and cash are always on the move and the entire workflow must be secured. If you are back at HQ to collect a key, you are wasting time and fuel. An award-winning* extension of the same CLIQ® system — CLIQ® Connect technology — has it covered.

With CLIQ® Connect, a key-holder no longer needs to update access rights physically in person by returning to base or even by moving to the nearest location with a programming device. All they need is a smartphone, the CLIQ® Connect app and a secure Bluetooth connection.

It’s simple and agile — and quick to respond to any “live” situation.

If you need to redirect a cash collection team while they are on the road, you just set new access permissions for a building or ATM within the CLIQ® Web Manager. The key-holder makes a secure Bluetooth connection between their programmable CLIQ® Connect key and the app to instantly update their permissions. They can now open the necessary locks at their new destination.

The online opening function of CLIQ® Connect can even contribute to secure sequence unlocking for cash collections. For example, locks can require key-operated unlocking within 60 seconds of access also being authorised by a system administrator.

Can a single, integrated CLIQ® locking system protect assets in banking halls, ATMs and cash in transit? We think it can.

To learn how businesses across Europe already benefit from CLIQ®, download a free case study library at https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/cliq-banking

A CLIQ® electronic locking system puts an Italian bank in complete control of every entrance

London, November 2018 – Retail banking combines a demand for high security with complex workflows. Staff need efficient access. Facility managers need the flexibility to design access permissions around individual needs, so not everyone can access every area whenever they choose. Nobody wants to carry or track large numbers of keys.

These were requirements managers Creval — a regional bank in Italy — faced when seeking an alternative to a mechanical master-key system.

Creval needed new access control devices to become an integral part of a security system for assets and people with the highest level of protection. They sought locks to offer a durable, secure and flexible alternative to standard mechanical security.

They found an easy, electronic way to administer a powerful, user-friendly system based on battery-powered physical keys and secure, advanced microelectronics.

Flexible high-security locking

Creval chose eCLIQ key-based wireless access control for its banking premises. Bank doors across the Lombardy region are guarded by more than 30 durable eCLIQ cylinders, putting Creval managers in complete control of entrance security.

eCLIQ is a scalable electronic extension of the CLIQ® access control system deployed in critical infrastructure sites across Europe. Cylinders are fully electronic, protected against manipulation and with 128-bit AES encryption built into both lock and key microelectronics. Staff carry a single, battery-powered eCLIQ key, programmed with only the right preauthorised access permissions.

Creval’s security manager is now able to grant access based on scheduled times and specific doors, and right down to the level of the individual site user. It is also straightforward to set time-limited access rights for a user key, increasing security if a key is lost. Audit trails and event logs are collected to the same, fine-grained degree.

Key management is easy with software operated from a local PC or securely on the web via a standard browser. In the unlikely event a key is misplaced, Creval administrators simply delete its validity from the system.

“We are satisfied with the results of the new access control system,” says Claudio Brisia, Logical Security Manager at Creval headquarters in Sondrio.

For further information please visit: https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/cliq-banking

Grundig helps secure construction sites along the $1.25 billion Eurasia Tunnel.

The Eurasia Tunnel ranks amongst the world’s most significant engineering projects. Costing 1.25 billion US Dollars, the Eurasia tunnel connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul under the Bosphorus Strait, a channel linking the Aegean and Black Seas. The Project is 14.6 km long, including its service roads and entrances, with a 5 km tunnel, of which 3.34 km two-story section extending below the sea bed to a depth of 106m. The tunnel is due for completion in December 2016 and construction is well under way.

The Eurasia Tunnel will provide an additional transport link between the two halves of Istanbul; reduce crossing times from 100 minutes to 15 minutes; alleviate road traffic congestion; and significantly reduce traffic-related pollution. It is located 1km south of the existing Marmaray, undersea railway tunnel, opened in October 2013.

The entire tunnel construction project is managed by YM&SK JV, a joint engineering conglomerate made up of Turkish company, Yapi Merkezi and South Korean engineering firm, SK Engineering. Yapi Merkezi has considerable expertise and experience in underground construction work and large-scale project management, with a portfolio of prestigious projects including the Dubai and İzmir Metro’s and the Antalya and Istanbul Tramways.

Integral Kurumsal Teknoloji Cozumleri (Integral) provides YM&SK JV with specialist CCTV and security systems in its five main construction locations along the tunnel’s path. It also provides monitoring of the Tunnel Boring Machine, TBM, which has been specifically designed and manufactured for this project. The CCTV systems protect each construction site perimeter, help with production process management and ensure staff safety at all time. Integral was chosen for its excellent reputation as an integrated technology solutions provider and for its efficient and thorough delivery of high-level and advanced projects of this type, on time and to budget.

Integral has used Grundig IP cameras to provide 24/7 surveillance of the perimeter of the five construction areas. These cover feeder roads, which are being widened at both ends; the construction of a new underpass on the European side; overpasses and a bridge on the Asian side; and toll areas at both ends.

Grundig IP PTZ cameras are also positioned centrally in each construction site, looking outwards, to allow site managers to closely follow construction progress and to ensure no activity is missed. A further four temporary cameras are positioned inside the tunnel to monitor the pump stations and two further cameras have been attached to the TBM, front and back, to monitor operation.
Ercan Tas of Integral stated, “Grundig cameras offer excellent reliability, provide high quality images and operate at night in low light conditions. It was important that all the cameras, including the PTZ’s, could withstand the harsh construction environment. Grundig is a brand we have used on other high-profile and demanding industrial applications and one we can trust. It is expected that an average of 120,000 cars and mini buses will use the tunnel each day, which should have a significant, positive impact on the environment of the city of Istanbul.”

After a period of 24 years and 5 months operation, the tunnel’s owning company will transfer the tunnel to the General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments (AYGM) of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications .

Yalcin Demirak, Area Sales Manager – Middle East, for Grundig Security added, “The Eurasia Tunnel project is extremely important to the area. Total investments exceed $1.25 billion and strict environmental requirements must be met. It profiles Istanbul on a world stage and represents a symbolic joining of two continents. Grundig is proud to be involved in the protection and management of the tunnel during construction and to be part of the pioneering team that is delivering this exceptional engineering project.”

INNOVATION AND CONTINUITY, CONTROL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE , FLEXIBILITY AND RELIABILITY

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been three years since SYAC became SYAC▪TB, TECHBOARD Security Division. Three years of hard work and commitment, satisfaction and success: all the electronics of our systems are designed and built in-house to ensure stability and continuity over time.

During year 2016 we have launched new products with brand new design, we have added new features, both improving our hardware and software expertise: the hybrid, the IP, the 32 video inputs with several improved features, People counting , Heatmap, Access Control and the soon coming Digieye MOBILE are powerful yet flexible and user-friendly systems SYAC▪TB has developed as top leader pioneer in the security and surveillance branch.

SYAC▪TB makes quality systems and provides first-class customer service; however, it sells solutions. Solutions that offer both innovation and continuity. Solutions that are able to satisfy the most demanding needs, yet they remain user-friendly, flexible and modular. Solutions that are able to integrate existing architectures and to interface with security fields beyond CCTV such as access control, fire and alarm.

SYAC▪TB branded solutions and extensive hands-on experience have been successfully deployed in many vertical applications, latest news is the MOBILE application.

Vertical Solutions for AUTOMOTIVE : DIGIEYE MOBILE DVR/HVR

The project was developed answering to the specific need from an elementary school in Dubai, for which we studied a custom made solution for checking schoolmates’ access on the school-buses, we call it “BusWatcher”.

Following the interest and suggestion on this project by another of our customers in Colombia, we developed many more improved features on the DIGIEYE MOBILE video control system.

We are now going on with research developing additional new features suggested by Brazilian customers.

The DigiEye MOBILE DVR and HVR are systems designed for automotive applications, robust compact and energy efficient. They are equipped with a special anti-vibration system designed to minimize the effect of vehicle vibration and with many integrated connectivity options: WiFi, mobile network 3G / 4G, GPS. Thanks to fanless technology, the chassis is without fans to reduce moving parts and ensure quiet operation, energy efficiency and less maintenance by increasing the performance and lifetime of the product. The DigiEye MOBILE series features an excellent performance / consumption ratio and ensures the reliability and advanced features that have always distinguished the DigiEye products: Advanced complete digital multifunctional systems for remote management of video, audio, alarms and communications. Perfect for simple applications and for complex architectures, DigiEye MOBILE offers the possibility of customized developments for special projects.

The ideal solution for AUTOMOTIVE RAILWAY and applications such as: Public transport (bus, taxi, school bus, …), Auto-transport (truck, TIR truck, articulated truck, …), Law enforcement forces (police, financial police, …), Private security services (security guards, transport values …), Vessels, Railway vehicles

This case history should be the sign and demonstration that we have at first place the market observing and listening and bringing together market needs and our know-how, we manage to offer the best customized solution starting from our standard products.

We have consolidated our presence in both Italy and all over the globe: our technical-commercial organization has been expanded to four continents. We are driven by your needs. We strive to design, develop and manufacture solutions able to meet your requirements.

Smart Technology: Traffic Management Heats Up With Thermal Imaging

The need for more efficient and effective traffic management systems is increasing as urbanization and population growth continue. The use of thermal imaging as part of a comprehensive traffic management system could provide operators with improved accuracy and efficiency.

Izvor: a&s International

E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

When used in conjunction with other sensors in a comprehensive traffic management system, thermal imaging sensors, such as thermal cameras, have a lot to offer in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

Although thermal imaging has a long history in military applications and in perimeter detection for physical security, and its use in traffic management is not yet ubiquitous, the use of thermal sensors across verticals is growing rapidly.

A report from MarketsandMarkets estimates the global thermal imaging market will grow from US$7.7 billion in 2016 to $10.3 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.9 percent. Growth is attributed to the rising demand of thermal cameras as a result of declining prices. Furthermore, growth is also being credited to the increasing need of thermal cameras in all commercial applications, including transportation.

In fact, the use of thermal imaging in the automotive application segment is expected to gain traction in the next five years, according to the report. “The increasing use of thermal cameras in the automotive sector to reduce the risks in driving, especially during the night, is one of the major reasons for the growth of thermal imaging market in this application,” stated MarketsandMarkets.

While applying thermal imaging directly to automotive use isn’t the same as using it for traffic management, the need for it in the transportation sector can be inferred. Additionally, with the need for traffic management growing, combining different technologies, including thermal imaging, will only help create more effective solutions.

Why Use Thermal

One of the biggest draws of thermal imaging cameras across sectors is their ability to “see” in the dark and inclement weather. They can also measure the temperature of any object in their field of view, allowing them to detect fires at an early stage over the full detection range.

“This unlike other fire detection technologies requires no contact with flames or heated gasses, nor is any smoke propagation needed for the camera to detect excessive heat generated by fire or another vehicle malfunction,” explained Michael Deruytter, Director of Innovation at FLIR Intelligent Transportation Systems. “An additional benefit of thermal imaging is that this technology enables operators to see through smoke. This can be a life-saving feature in smoke-filled tunnels and can provide valuable information to firefighting teams about the possible location of people.”

Deruytter further explained that because thermal imaging cameras do not make use of visible light, but rely on thermal radiation or heat given off by everything in their field of view, they do not get confused by sun glare, darkness, headlights, shadows, wet streets, snow or fog. This makes them an ideal component of a 24/7 traffic monitoring solution.

Thermal and Traffic Analytics

Thermal imaging on its own is not a complete solution for traffic management. However, when applied with video analytics, thermal imaging cameras can be very beneficial.

“Thermal cameras produce images similar to the standards rendered by visible cameras, especially in terms of the shape of the object. This means that video analytics developed for visible cameras to conduct shape recognition, motion detection, intrusion detection, people counting, etc., can also be applied to thermal image cameras,” said Emmanuel Bercier, Strategic Marketing Manager at ULIS, a France-based manufacturer of thermal imaging sensors. “Moreover, since thermal cameras detect heat from objects, objects are highly distinguishable from their surroundings. As a consequence, this will simplify existing video analytics as it eliminates the need to take light variations or shadow effects into account,” Bercier continued.

Deruytter pointed out that thermal imaging cameras are well suited for video analytics use since the pixels in the image represent heat information — the hotter an object, the more thermal energy is being radiated; however, even extremely cold objects, up to negative 243°C (zero Kelvin), radiate thermal energy.

“Thermal cameras can detect the heat given off by cars, cyclists and pedestrians. This detection information can be used to classify the object or road user and make smart decisions for intersection control in seconds,” Deruytter said. “Intelligent thermal cameras are also used to detect incidents, such as stopped vehicles or wrong-way drivers, which, in turn, speeds up intervention by traffic authorities and emergency services.”

Challenges for Thermal in Traffic

Though thermal cameras do provide better detection, they will mainly be used in conjunction with visible cameras. Combining both camera types will ultimately provide the best detection performance and support identification, for example identifying a license plate number,” Bercier said.

Since both thermal and visible-light technologies have their own unique strengths, combining them makes perfect sense.

“This multi-sensor approach has been used in high-end surveillance and border security applications, where a combination of visible and thermal cameras identify and address a wide variety of security threats,” Deruytter explained. “In traffic applications, combining these two camera technologies into one system enables traffic authorities to use the superior detection abilities of thermal cameras while gaining important details with HD visible-light cameras.”

Cost is another factor holding end users and systems integrators back from deploying thermal cameras for traffic management. “Over the last decade, costs have been greatly reduced.

One can now find affordable thermal cameras for traffic management in the range of a few hundred dollars,” Bercier said. He added that thermal cameras now resemble commodity cameras in that they come with standard protocol and interfaces.

“This is positive in making it easier to integrate them in new or existing infrastructures. We are increasingly seeing video management systems integrators consider thermal camera equipment. So infrastructures are almost ready to embed thermal imaging technology,” Bercier added.

Traffic to Bring on the Heat

With the price of thermal continuing to decline and the need for accurate traffic management on the rise, more and more systems will incorporate thermal imaging technology into its solutions. As it was pointed out, thermal imaging by itself is not ideal for traffic management, but as a part of a bigger solutions that utilizes visible-light cameras and video analytics, thermal imaging will bring an extra layer of accuracy and efficiency to traffic management.

While visible-light cameras are most commonly used for traffic management, thermal cameras could provide benefits that others can’t.

Visible-light cameras have historically been very popular for traffic monitoring. This, according to Michael Deruytter, Director of Innovation at FLIR Intelligent Transportation Systems, is because when a traffic event occurs, it provides immediate feedback to an operator in the traffic management center to take futher actions.

However, since visible cameras are dependent on the light reflected by objects to produce an image, the reliability of their performance and capacity to detect is extremely sensitive to outside light conditions.

“The majority of cameras used in video surveillance or traffic management are sensitive to light in the visible spectrum, typically 0.4 to 0.8 µm wavelength or up to 1.0 for cameras sensitive in the near infrared. Visible cameras are limited to detecting only those objects exposed to sunlight or an external light source, such as street lighting,” explained Emmanuel Bercier, Strategic Marketing Manager at ULIS.

“Whether an object is human, an animal, a vehicle, a road or tree, it will emit heat energy depending on two elements: its inherent temperature and its material substance. All objects above zero kelvins radiate heat emitted in the far infrared spectral bandwidth 8 to 12µm. Thermal imaging cameras are based on a technology that is sensitive in far infrared spectrum, which means they are only sensitive to the light directly emitted by an object,” he added.

Thus, thermal imaging cameras are able to provide constant visibility and reliable object detection, 24/7, whatever the light, atmospheric or environmental conditions, such as fog or smoke. As such, thermal cameras are well suited for traffic management which is subject to the ever-changing nature of outside elements.

Despite the many benefits of using thermal imaging for traffic management, not all companies believe it is the right technology for the job.

Thermal imaging technology is being used more and more for traffic management, but its use doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best fit. In fact, Daniel Chau, Overseas Marketing Director at Dahua Technology, explained why thermal imaging cameras are not Dahua’s recommended products for traffic management. The company, which has its own line of thermal imaging cameras, mainly applies its products in perimeter protection, forest fire detection and monitoring of high-voltage power transformer substations.

Chau notes that the key advantage of thermal cameras in traffic management is the higher accuracy rate in counting passing vehicles; however, the 5- to 10-percent improvement rate is marginal when compared to good visible-light cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) analytics. Furthermore, it does not bring “material value to the outcome of traffic management.”

“AI and deep learning are enabling visible-light imaging surveillance solutions to recognize vehicle details such as car color, plate number, make, model and use of seat belt. This information could bring significant value to traffic management by understanding the composition of traffic at different times of day,” Chau explained.

“The advantage of thermal cameras does not justify its higher price nor its lack of intelligent recognition and analytics capabilities, thus thermal cameras are not widely applied in traffic management,” he added. Instead, Chau believes AI and deep-learning-powered visible-light imaging surveillance that can deliver advanced analytics function such as video synopsis, human recognition and vehicle recognition are more suitable for traffic management than thermal imaging surveillance.

Enhancing ADAS Performance for Safe Driving

Road safety is a major concern for transport authorities, pedestrians and vehicle drivers. Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) solutions were developed to provide safety and a better driving experience. Machine learning is helping ADAS to achieve higher recognition accuracy and reliability, enabling drivers to have better understanding of their environment.

Izvor: a&s International

E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

Around 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes, according to the statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO). It also indicated that road traffic crashes are expected to become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Hence, worldwide governments are setting mandatory regulations which are increasing the use of applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to reduce the risk of traffic accidents. Matthew Preyss, Product Marketing Manager for Highly Automated Driving at HERE Technologies, indicated that both the European (Euro NCAP) and the United States New Car Assessment Program (US NCAP) are driving OEMs to adopt ADAS.

ADAS uses devices such as cameras, radar, LIDAR and ultrasonic as sensors to detect near and far fields in different directions to provide driving assistance. Blind spots, traffic signs, obstacles and distances can be detected, ensuring safe driving and assistance in parking. Also, the system can warn the driver in a timely manner to prevent traffic accidents or suggest alternative routes to avoid traffic.

The proliferation of ADAS is expected to boost the installation of sensors and cameras. However, this is also challenging systems to promptly understand and analyze the massive amounts of raw and unorganized data being collected in this dynamic traffic environment. Jeremy Carlson, Principal Analyst of Autonomous Driving and Mobility at IHS Markit, indicated that machine learning can make that process more efficient, thereby facilitating faster development and deployment of the technologies to consumers on the road.

Jeff VanWashenova, Automotive Segment Marketing Director at CEVA, said, ”It is expected that more and more vehicles will have standard rear back up cameras, front cameras for collision avoidance, and even replacing rear view and side view mirrors with cameras. These sensors need to be able to improve image quality and add additional analytics like object detection and identification.” He believes machine learning can help improve both accuracy and speed at which these systems can identify objects.

ADAS can become a thinking machine with human-like intelligence. Preyss indicated that machine learning can leverage vehicle sensors and map data to provide context to the vehicles environment for better and more proactive decisions. “Learning the behavior of the driver can help to enhance the execution of ADAS features,” he added.

Enhancement from Machine Learning

Machine learning helps ADAS to detect and recognize objects with improved accuracy and reliability. The technology is known for its excellent performance in image classification that can distinguish objects like pedestrians, bicycles or vehicles. Also, the machine learning algorithm can help ADAS recognize road signs more precisely like speed limit recognition.

This is gaining traction in ADAS applications due to continuous developments and improvements in machine learning algorithms. Aish Dubey, ADAS Business Manager for Texas Instruments (TI), indicated that the accuracy of machine learning algorithms has improved quite a bit in the last three years. Compared to older classical vision algorithms, the improvements allow video data to be understood and interpreted at a much higher level of resolution. He explained, “It leads to new applications where the areas around the vehicle can be classified as ‘available for driving’ or ‘occupied by an obstacle if a certain type’ more reliably, helping to prevent dangerous driving situations.” He expects this improvement can enable safer vehicle operation at autonomous SAE levels 3 and higher on highway scenarios very soon. Some of the active safety features such as collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection and lane departure assistance are currently based on traditional vision algorithms. VanWashenova indicated, however, that machine learning is a more robust method that is well suited for the harsh automotive environment and can deliver on the performance needed in ADAS systems. He takes traffic sign recognition as an example. “Machine learning-based systems can effectively identify signs that may be obstructed, rotated or modified, and can be trained to handle many of the variables found in real-life applications,” he explained.

When asked about enhanced features from machine learning in ADAS, Carlson indicated that these are primarily oriented towards improvements in accuracy rather than brand new functionalities. “Automatic emergency braking systems already exist and are quite functional today, but they can be improved to better recognize pedestrians, cyclists or animals in more varied poses,” said Carlson.

Driver State Monitoring

ADAS is not just for monitoring the roads ahead, but also for monitoring drivers. Drowsy and distracted driving are key reasons for car crashes. To prevent this, inward-facing cameras can be used to track a driver’s gazing direction and head position. If the system detects that the driver is not looking straight ahead while driving, it will alert him to do so.

Sometimes, clues appear in a drivers’ behavior or biological patterns rather than in their face or eye movements. Mitsubishi Electric uses machine learning algorithms to detect absent-mindedness and other cognitive distractions in drivers when their vehicles are traveling straight. The company uses the algorithm to analyze time-series data, including information about the vehicle like steering and driver’s heart rate and facial orientation. The technology can predict appropriate driver actions in real time by using a combination of data on normal driving and time-series data on the actual vehicle and driver. When the technology find the driver’s action differ from the algorithm-based prediction of appropriate driving action, the driver will be immediately alerted.

When it comes to adoption of those complex machine learning algorithms, heavy computation and costs are two major issues for widespread adoption to all levels of car ownership. Striking a balance between cost and performance has always been essential.

Dubey indicated, “ADAS technology will continue to differentiate automakers and influence buying decisions. Automakers need scalable technology that can enhance the customer experience at all levels of car ownership from economy to premium cars. It is critical to offer ADAS hardware and software technology at cost points that allow the markets to serve most customers.”

VanWashenova said, “Automakers want to introduce more features that will take advantage of smart sensors found throughout the vehicle. These smart sensors will need to utilize machine learning algorithms which are developed on much larger and power hungry computing platforms. When these systems will be deployed in high volumes, cost-effective and power efficient solutions are needed.”

There has been a growing interest in installing ADAS into new cars around the world to increase driving safety and comfort. Machine learning is believed to enhance ADAS performance as a kind of differentiator. No matter what kind of technology is applied, it’s vital to keep roads safer and reduce traffic accidents to ensure every driver and pedestrians go home safe.

Well secured: CLIQ® locking system protects REWE’s new logistics centre in Germany

London, February 2018 – German supermarket REWE Group’s full-range national warehouse covers 53,000 square metres and is situated in the north of Berlin. About 350 employees ensure that more than 355 REWE, nahkauf, Karstadt and Coop supermarkets — along with Hit self-service stores — are supplied with around 10,000 different items. The building is protected by a CLIQ® locking system which was planned and installed by the specialist security company Guett-Dern GmbH, based in Cologne.

Supermarkets between Sassnitz and Jüterborg will be supplied optimally with goods by the new logistics centre, in which REWE invested around €60 million. Six days a week approximately 100 trucks transport fruit and vegetables, frozen foods and fresh foods such as milk, as well as the entire range of dry goods. More than €600 million invested in optimising logistics, as part of a logistics offensive for the whole of Germany, made this expansion necessary. The goal is to make processes faster, more effective and more efficient and ecologically sustainable. The REWE Group was founded in 1927 and has built eleven new warehouses as part of this project, and has modernised three more. The Oranienburg location is viewed as the pilot project for all of REWE Group’s logistics centres.

REWE Group’s specifications in terms of security were defined accordingly: Entrances to the logistics centre’s buildings were to be equipped with electronic locks to enable them to be managed centrally and to integrate internal doors according to their requirements. A flexible locking system was to be incorporated to manage all access entitlements and locking hierarchies reliably according to individual responsibilities — meaning it must be tailored precisely to each individual.

The choice was made in favour of the mechatronic locking system CLIQ®, which was installed by security specialists and ASSA ABLOY partner Guett-Dern. The CLIQ® system integrates advanced microelectronics into locking cylinders and their programmable and battery-powered keys. Locking cylinders and keys can thus communicate with one another without the need for wiring or a network. This means that access and locking are doubly secured: via mechanical locking and electronic identity. The installation of the intelligent mechatronic CLIQ® locking system thus provides the building with an optimal level of protection.

The programmable keys and cylinders of the CLIQ® locking system from ASSA ABLOY not only fulfil REWE’s requirements, but also win thanks to their price–performance ratio.

“CLIQ® is easy to use and program,” says Dirk Müller-Steinhausen, Head of Technology and Sales at Guett-Dern GmbH. “For instance, because system administrators do not have to visit each locking cylinder separately in order to change the batteries.” Power is supplied exclusively via a standard battery in the keys and programming keys. Encrypted communication with the cylinder also takes place in this way.

Each CLIQ® key has an integrated chip inside, making it unique. Keys can be programmed individually for each user. “This means that we have control of our keys. With CLIQ®, we have great flexibility in the event that a key is lost or if we want to make any changes. We can revoke the key’s access entitlements by reprogramming individually the approximately 400 locking cylinders in use,” explains Marc Haverkamp, Project Manager for the REWE Logistics Centre in Oranienburg. At the same time, access authorizations can be enabled temporarily, including for workmen, cleaners and external service providers.

About CLIQ®: CLIQ® is a security locking system with high-end microelectronics, programmable keys and cylinders. The system offers a variety of combinations of mechanical and electronic systems to match different security and flexible access needs. Available on the global market place, it provides flexible

Doing More With Less – Retailer Strategies For Loss Prevention And Mobility

In the increasingly competitive retail space, there is a constant need to implement, expand and improve loss prevention programs to secure assets, decrease shrinkage and increase customer safety. With that, budget cuts in the manned loss prevention (LP) staff industry in all store ranges – from mom and pop shops, to big box retailers – have retailers exploring the latest in efficient and affordable LP management through video surveillance and the vast amount of add-on monitoring and analytic programs.

By Trenton Thoms, Milestone Systems, Inc.

According to loss prevention and inventory shrinkage consulting firm Jack L. Hayes International, in 2012 nearly 1.15 million shoplifters and corrupt employees were apprehended, up more than seven percent from 2011. The threat is real, but the cost of managing these issues is easily streamlined by technology currently available to nearly every retail manager in the business.

Milestone Systems’ partners cater to end users in all retail environments looking to expand or improve surveillance systems, offering a complete solution, backboned by Milestone XProtect. XProtect meets virtually all retailers’ needs because of its open platform technology, which provides retailers with the freedom to choose from a nearly unlimited number of possibilities when it comes to retail surveillance solution hardware or software.

As budgets are cut, working with legacy monitoring equipment is vital to save costs while keeping a store environment safe and shrinkage down. Channeling a store’s video feed through mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, however, gives managers the ability to monitor goods, customers and employees from anywhere – even the back office!

Milestone Mobile offers retailers the ability to view security system output in any store — whether stand-alone or on a corporate or franchise level — through mobile devices. Live video and playback can be viewed at all times with an Internet or Wi-Fi connection. With Milestone Mobile’s Video Push feature, live video can be sent from a mobile device’s camera directly into Milestone XProtect, for immediate awareness of incidents, or shared from other cameras in the system.

With the ability to create and watch video exports on the go, Milestone Mobile provides operators with expanded remote capabilities, allowing them to take immediate action during an incident, or quickly review footage to gather evidence. Outputs, such as opening and closing doors and switching on lights, can also be controlled through the mobile devices.

With the open platform integration capabilities, Milestone’s video sequences can be linked with personnel, goods, receipt and transaction data gathered from POS, ERP or ATM systems. Video linked with each transaction can be integrated within the system to help reduce fraud by identifying and sending alerts to mobile devices about suspicious activity, including deceptive use of gift cards, discounts, fraudulent or stolen credit cards and refunds.

However, the benefits of mobile surveillance extend beyond loss prevention to include many aspects beyond security! Integrations with numerous analytic offerings can add valuable marketing tools like people counting, traffic patterns and queue management or product placement aids.

Video monitoring through mobile devices can also ensure manufacturing, packing, shipping, and logistics, are running smoothly within a retail environment. Milestone has been installed in a broad range of production and distribution centers around the world to increase full-chain visibility for managers, executives and other decision makers.

IP video can also be an essential component in the day-to-day operations of an online retailer, especially when authorized personnel have access to live and recorded video on a smartphone or tablet. From the second an item is removed from a warehouse shelf, it can be monitored through the conveyor system, measured, weighed, tagged and made ready for shipment, all with video surveillance insurance and proof of processing. Management knows and can document exactly what is happening at every point to assure quick and effective delivery of its in-demand products.

Milestone VMS solutions are versatile and effective tools for retailers large and small. No longer does an internal security team have to worry about downloading evidence to USB drives, or spend hours watching tapes to search for an event. Many retailers have seen the extraordinary benefits of IP-based surveillance and the cost efficiency and flexibility of Milestone Mobile, helping retailers stay up to date with store locations’ vital information.

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a&s Adria – professional security magazine for providing total security solutions is a monthly circulating publication and a licenced representative of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media for Adriatic region, which consists of following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.