Bosch Cameras Help to Make Twin Sails Bridge Shipshape
Six video surveillance cameras from Bosch Security Systems, Inc. have been installed on the newly constructed Twin Sails Bridge in the town of Poole on the south coast of England. The cameras help to monitor all traffic and pedestrians making the crossing as well as vessels passing beneath the bridge.
The Twin Sales Bridge features two triangular lifting leaves which, when raised, form the iconic shape of a yacht’s sails and thus reflect the maritime history of the coastal town. It forms part of a landmark regeneration project for the Borough of Poole, providing access to a large regeneration site in the southwest as well as a much-needed additional harbor crossing to ease traffic congestion around the town.
As the Borough of Poole’s resident video surveillance contractor, Quadrant Security Group (QSG) was the first choice to supply and install the video equipment for the new bridge, and so it specified six Bosch stainless steel MIC series cameras, as Russell Kitson, Project Manager, QSG, explains: “The environment of the Twin Sails Bridge demands a robust and reliable model of CCTV camera to work effectively in challenging conditions.”
“We have worked with Bosch cameras on multiple occasions and know them well,” he continues, “so we recognized that the ruggedness and high quality of Bosch’s MIC series would be particularly suitable for a project of this nature.”
Bosch’s stainless steel MIC series is an extremely reliable and high quality ruggedized PTZ camera and has been precision engineered to meet exacting standards. Rated to an industry leading IP68 liquid protection, its grade 316L stainless steel housing has enhanced corrosion-resistant properties that offer protection in the harshest of environments, including marine applications such as the Twin Sails Bridge where the high salt content in the air can dramatically reduce the lifespan of traditional camera units.
“During working hours all six cameras transmit images back to the quayside control room, from where the bridge is operated, and out of hours, the CCTV footage is sent to the Civic Center, which shares responsibility for bridge control,” says Russell. “Two of the cameras are positioned to monitor vessels passing underneath the bridge; one views vessels coming into the Poole basin, and one watches those going back out to sea. The other four cameras are positioned on top of high level bridge totems and survey the traffic and pedestrians using the bridge, serving as a safety precaution as it is raised and lowered.”
The MIC series uses brushless motor technology to enable quiet yet reliable operation, with full 360-degree continuous rotation pan and 270-degree tilt control for exceptional viewing capability. Small increment pan/tilt speeds give the user precise control, which is fundamental for tracking subjects when fully zoomed in. Furthermore, it is compatible with virtually any control equipment and can seamlessly integrate with the vast majority of security systems.
Quadrant Security Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing independent security systems providers, delivering total security and surveillance solutions from consultancy to systems design, installation and support.