Canadian Shipping Route Uses IP Video Technology

  • Apr 20, 2009

IndigoVision’s IP video technology is at the heart of a major four-year CCTV upgrade to the Welland Canal section of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Dubbed Highway H2O, the Seaway is the safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation route of choice to the heart of North America.

The all-Canadian Welland Canal is 27 miles long and connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Eight giant locks along its route lift ships 326 feet between the two lakes. Remote surveillance of the vertical lifts is fundamental for traffic management and the safe operation of the locks for shipping and the public. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation monitors the entire canal system from a state-of-the-art traffic control center.

A number of IndigoVision 8000 IP Video transmitter/receiver units were initially installed in 2004 under specific projects to support remote bridge control along the Welland Canal. Since that time the Seaway has continued to deploy additional 8000s as well as installing a number of IndigoVision’s Windows based NVRs. The various elements of the IndigoVision based IP video system installed along the Seaway are transported via a high-bandwidth routed network using both layer 2 and 3 segments. Network connections use a combination of both TCP and UDP Multicast transports dependant upon bandwidth availability. The Seaway now utilizes 8000s throughout its extensive canal systems between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie.

The entire CCTV system is now managed using ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision's IP video and alarm management software. Live video is viewed by a mix of ‘Control Center’ workstations, or where needed by using 8000s as transmit / receive pairs with analog monitors. For certain applications, ‘Control Center’ salvos are used to switch video views and control cameras as dictated by other Seaway canal control systems. The salvos are triggered by canal control PLCs, which make input changes to I/O incorporated in the 8000.

Windows-based NVRs with about 8 Terabytes each of recording space have been deployed to assist in security and incident management over extended archive periods. Each server is used to record 30fps 4SIF live video from remote locations with each easily handling about 32 video streams and providing an archive period of approximately 15 days. The servers and direct attached SAS arrays can easily be expanded using inexpensive high-capacity SATA drives for a total storage space on each NVR of about 30 Terabytes.

IndigoVision’s compression and transmission technology ensures minimum impact on network bandwidth providing ample spare capacity for the future. The cost benefits of the adopted technology compared to traditional analog solutions for the existing project and future expansion are significant.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.