Wisenet Cameras Help Keep Rail Improvements on Track

Network Rail is keeping a close eye on work being carried out at its Ambergate rail site with the help of the advanced technology built into the latest generation of video surveillance dome cameras.

Images captured by Wisenet XNP-6040H PTZ domes manufactured by Hanwha Techwin are being streamed to a Network Rail control room, enabling operators to monitor the progress of work being carried out at various locations throughout the Ambergate site in order to minimise walkouts and ensure compliance with its health & safety regulations.

The Challenge
Network Rail required several site monitoring systems to provide them with live video streams of their Ambergate rail site. These live streams would be used by Network Rail to attain a better oversight of progress, asses safety on site, and reduce site walkouts. Inside Out Group were awarded the contract to provide four separate monitoring systems for the Ambergate site, after being invited to participate in a tender process.

“This was an interesting, as well as a challenging project to work on in that the monitoring systems needed to be sufficiently robust to be able to work in tough track side conditions,” said Jay Dale, Head of Time Lapse for Inside Out Group. “With the rail improvement work being carried out in remote locations, the camera systems also required standalone power sources without any reliance on generators."

The Approach
“We met with staff from Network Rail to establish their exact site monitoring needs. This helped us give detailed advice and recommend specific CCTV products that fit Network Rail’s needs.”

Although the CCTV installation tender was a national one, the first site highlighted was Network Rail’s Ambergate work site. After evaluating cameras from a number of different manufacturers, Inside Out Group decided to specify the 2 megapixel Wisenet XNP-6040H PTZ domes for all the required camera locations. Image quality was a major factor in the decision, as was the Wisenet XNP-6040H’s relatively low operating power requirements. 

Camera Features
The vandal-resistant and weatherproof H.265 Wisenet XNP-6040H domes have an auto-tracking PTZ feature which enables operators to monitor close up detail of any site activity. This ensures that Network Rail can remotely control the systems and focus on different areas of site that they need to see. The Wisenet XNP-6040H dome’s are also equipped with gyro sensors for more accurate image stabilisation if they are disturbed by wind or vibration, whilst built-in SD memory card slots enable the short term storage of video in the event that there is any network disruption. 

The Result
Working closely with Network Rail’s S&C North Alliance Doncaster team and with the help of distributors Norbain, Inside Out Group were able to have all the cameras delivered to site and working within 48 hours of the commencement of the project. Each of the four systems are battery powered, negating the need for any costly cabling and the cameras have been attached to existing site structures which helped minimise installation time. H.265 compressed live video streams captured by the Wisenet XNP-6040H domes are being transmitted over fast 4G mobile network to the control room, with secure logins also enabling authorised personnel to remotely access the video via their smartphones, tablets and laptops. 

Time Lapse
Additionally, Inside Out Group also installed one of their durable time lapse systems on site. This system was primarily used for film production purposes, as Network Rail were also keen to visually showcase Ambergate’s rail works as a production.

Success
Inside Out Group have received positive feedback from senior staff within Network Rail in respect of the quality of the systems installed and for organising the installations within the required tight timescales. In particular, high praise has come from members of the S&C North Alliance Doncaster team, with Alliance Director, Neil Johnson noting that the captured images “are crystal clear’ and Project Manager, Rachel Cox stating that the systems are “working brilliantly”.

“Following on from the installation of the four systems, we have continued to work closely with Network Rail so that we can obtain feedback from staff on their experiences of using the live video, said Jay Dale. “This will help us going forward to optimise benefits we can offer Network Rail from these type of monitoring solutions.