Eyes in the Sky

Video detection is a crucial element in the formula for managing traffic. There are literally dozens of companies that are involved in the manufacturing, design and maintenance of video cameras, and their related equipment, used in traffic management-based applications.

Transportation Management + Engineering offers this brief overview of a small sample of these companies and their products which are currently being used in North America.

Carrollton, Texas-based AXCESS Inc.’s MM-Series Transmitters, from the Prism Video line, offer streaming video transmission from up to four video sources over LANs, WANs, the Internet or standard phone lines. Weighing less than 1.5 lb, the transmitter is lightweight and easy to install. Users simply connect up to four standard CCTV devices (via BNC connectors) and connect the unit to a phone line or Ethernet network. Once connected, video from any of the four sources can be viewed live from virtually any PC, anywhere in the world.

With patented, built-in compression, the MM Series delivers ultra-fast frame per second rates with reduced bandwidth consumption. They feature four relay outputs for remote control of pan/tilt/zoom cameras, gates, doors and other devices.

Camera Lowering Systems

Lowering systems for video cameras, which are used for managing traffic, are manufactured by Camera Lowering Systems, Broadview, Ill. The system can be mounted on steel, aluminum and fiberglass poles where all servicing is done at ground level.

Hazardous, expensive and time-consuming high-lift maintenance trucks and lane closures are therefore eliminated. The efficiency of the higher mounting heights no longer presents a problem when servicing the equipment.

Wiring integrity of the overall system is maintained by providing a coaxial cable to meet or exceed the electrical capacitance and attenuation of the camera. Upper and lower connectors have spring assisted design to minimize environmental vibrations and provide continuous resistant forces to maintain connector closure and help in ejecting of the connector halves during the unlocking sequence.

Cohu Electronics

San Diego-based Cohu Electronics’ 3800 Series digital signal processing color cameras with fiber-optic interface and remote control positions are helping to manage traffic in Boston’s "Big Dig" project.

The camera is in a small, sealed and pressurized housing for harsh environmental conditions. It features an integrated zoom lens, small quickset pan/tilt, and they can be mounted both upright and inverted. The sealed and pressurized enclosures provide maintenance cost savings to the user over the life of the camera—evident in reliability and life expectancy.

The cameras installed at the "Big Dig" were configured specifically for tunnel duty. The project required reliable, low profile and low maintenance camera sites throughout the system.

Image Sensing Systems

Wireless systems are increasingly becoming a part of traffic operations for video and data transmission. They can be used alone or in conjunction with existing fiber-optic cable or twisted pair private line metallic networks, require minimal installation time, operate over great distances, are unaffected by extreme weather conditions, wind, road vibration, or vehicle noise, and can provide broadcast-quality, real-time video at an affordable price.

Image Sensing Systems, based in St. Paul, Minn., and Wireless Technology Inc., located in Ventura, Calif., manufacture and market 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz Wireless Video and Data Transmission Systems. These systems are compatible with any analog PAL or NTSC camera such as the Autoscope Solo Pro and can use up to 16 different cameras, utilizing a multiplexer, over a single carrier frequency.

PULNiX America Inc.

PULNiX America Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., recently announced a joint effort with ADDCO Inc., St. Paul, Minn., to develop and market a portable segment-speed enforcement system, intended for work-zone safety applications, featuring a progressive camera for image capturing and system interface and control.

PULNiX America’s ITS Division develops and manufactures technologically advanced imaging components and subsystems specifically designed for the rigorous requirements of intelligent transportation systems.

System integrators can choose from a wide variety of system components or a "turn key" subsystem configured for the specific application.

Trango Systems

The Falcon Plus from Trango Systems, San Diego, is a simple, cost-effective and DOT field-proven solution that delivers high-resolution, real-time, full-motion video up to seven miles line-of-sight. Operating in the unlicensed 5.8 GHz ISM band, the Falcon Plus offers high performance and is a ready-to-install solution for hard-to-reach, remote PTZ or fixed cameras.

With 12 user-selectable channels, it can support multiple camera installations and simultaneous data transmission up to 9,600 bps.