Thermal Cameras Improve Safety and Security Along the Waterfront in Aalborg

Hikvision and Milestone Systems are supporting a project to find an innovative solution for improving safety and security along the waterfront in Aalborg, Denmark. They teamed up with Aalborg Municipality, the North Jutland Emergency Services, Aalborg University’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, and security company Actas A/S to find a solution that utilizes Hikvision thermal cameras.

Strong on Logistics and Cooperation
“Denmark’s best planned port area” is located outside the city on wide-open areas - with room for long-term development. Nearly 100 companies have already established themselves in the attractive area, of which about half of the areas are situated near the quays. The Port of Aalborg is an active and rational part of each port client’s supply chain; a hub for all types of freight and all kinds for transport by ship, truck and rail. Together with Aalborg Portland A/S, the Port of Aalborg is the fifth largest port system in terms of total cargo volume in Denmark.

Improved Safety
The system developed in close cooperation of the Aalborg Municipality, the North Jutland Emergency Services, Aalborg University’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, and security company Actas works with a combination of thermal cameras (which will be set up between Limfjordsbroen and Honnørkajen during the trial period) and one controllable camera for use in active searches. Aalborg University is mapping risk areas and developing a groundbreaking program that can “recognise” accidents and raise an alarm.
When someone exhibits dangerous behaviour along the waterfront, either on land or in the water, the emergency services will be notified. A camera on Limfjordsbroen will be activated at the same time to record what is happening. This can also be used as an aid if a rescue operation is required. This means that the emergency services will be notified immediately if there is an accident, and live footage from the site can be streamed to their control center using the existing video platform. The control centre can then call out a lifeboat if required.

Think Outside the Box
Hans Henrik Henriksen, Councilor for the Planning and Landscape Department, says: “Aalborg is very proud of its waterfront. The city has built up around the water, but this also means we need to ensure our water safety measures are the best they can be. We are working continuously to improve safety along the waterfront, and we have taken a number of initiatives towards this such as adding more lighting, more rescue stations, new ladders, and so on. Despite this, we have found that accidents are still happening, which is why I look forward to the opportunity to think outside the box during this trial and to be innovative in this area in collaboration with Aalborg University and the North Jutland Emergency Services.”
“If things go well, it’s likely the project will also be adopted and used in other port cities in Denmark and perhaps also abroad,” concludes Hans Henrik Henriksen, in March. Now, with the test phase a success, Aalborg is almost ready to go live with the system. The municipality is also planning an expansion with more cameras, due to the high levels of confidence they have in the system’s success.