Infinova CCTV cameras rule the roost in China's Shaanxi province

The province deploys 2,000 CCTV cameras, 100 video matrix switching systems plus fibre optic modems

Infinova announced that, since 2005, basically all of the 1,500 miles (2,500 km) of expressways in service within China's Shaanxi province are using Infinova products for security surveillance. This includes over 2,000 cameras, approximately 100 video matrix switching systems plus fibre optic modems. For intelligent, safe and efficient highways, China is leading the way.

"Effective highway video surveillance alerts authorities as congestion starts to develop and helps them deploy highway patrols to manage traffic flow and reduce delays," explains Mark S. Wilson, Infinova vice president, marketing. "When accidents occur, the authorities can assess the situation quickly. Using rapid manoeuvrability cameras, operators can capture the early stages of a highway incident and provide life-saving information to emergency teams."

According to Wilson, the cameras used are designed specifically for outdoor video surveillance on highways and intelligent transport systems (ITS). Infinova's V1492/V1493 Medium-Load Integrated PTZ system can operate in winds up to 130 mph (200 Kph) and features a15-inch (38 cm) housing for its ½-inch (1.27 cm) high-resolution camera plus ½-inch (1.27 cm) motorised zoom lens, giving operators a better, long range view.

The housing of the CCTV is IP66 rated which means it is dust tight and is equally protected against water ingress

The system is equipped with a compass display so that operators can see in which direction the camera is looking, as well as a privacy masking with 16 programmable zones. The V1493 has 360° unlimited continuous PAN with a PAN speed up to 50°/second and a tilt range of +40° to -90° with a tilt speed up to 30°/second so that operators can look straight down and tilt the camera up to look up hills in the highway. The fast PAN and tilt speeds enable operators to move the camera quickly, an important advantage when operators need to view incidents in multiple locations.

The housing is IP66 rated which means it is dust tight and is equally protected against water ingress, even if a powerful water jet is directed against the enclosure from any direction. The housing is also equipped with a wiper, heater and defroster for extreme conditions.

In an emergency situation, the V1492/V1493 system's flexibility and rapid manoeuvrability allow operators to move the camera quickly and point it in any direction. Using these cameras, operators can brief emergency teams as they are travelling to a highway incident, helping them save lives and function with maximum effectiveness when they arrive.

More information on Infinova Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions is available here.