FLIR dual-vision cameras for automatic incident detection keep Norwegian tunnels safe
13/05/2021
FLIR was selected to provide intelligent dual-vision cameras with embedded automatic incident detection (AID) to be installed in the new Hundvåg and Eiganes tunnels in Norway. The cameras now alert tunnel operators on a variety of possible traffic incidents, including stopped vehicles, lost cargo and pedestrians, allowing emergency services to react quickly.
Norway has a complex geography. The many fjords, glaciers and mountains make travelling without natural obstacles a challenge, which is why the country has so many tunnels. The Ryfast project is one of the country’s most recent additions in tunnel infrastructure, running from the city of Stavanger to the municipality of Strand. It is also Norway’s largest road project to date.The Ryfast project consists of three tunnels. The 14.4 km Ryfylke tunnel, running from the village of Tau to the isle of Hundvåg, was opened in December 2019. The 5.5 km Hundvåg tunnel, from Hundvåg to Stavanger, was opened in April 2020. The latter tunnel connects with the 3.7 km Eiganes tunnel, which runs beneath the city of Stavanger, as part of the E39 coastal highway.
When the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) and tunnel contractor were looking for a reliable tunnel safety system for the Hundvåg and Eiganes tunnels, they intended to uphold the same high safety standards the organisation is known for. This is especially critical given the dense traffic situation in the twin-bore tunnels: 10,000 and 35,000 daily vehicles for the Hundvåg and Eiganes tunnels, respectively.
For both tunnels, Nordic system integrator Trafsys was selected to supply the traffic control and monitoring system, video surveillance (CCTV) and AID, among other things. Trafsys again selected FLIR Systems to deliver the AID camera technology, based on the many years of experience of both companies in tunnel safetyprojects.
“We were already convinced of the stability of FLIR’s incident detection systems, because we have been using them in previous tunnel projects,” said Knut-Olav Bjelland, Department Manager at Trafsys AS. “FLIR’s powerful detection algorithms on visual traffic cameras have proven their performance in tunnel projects worldwide. With FLIR’s dual-vision cameras, we were able to combine the company’s proven video analytics with the power of thermal imaging.”
Trafsys chose FLIR’s ITS-Series Dual AID cameras, which combine a thermal and visual camera with FLIR’s advanced video analytics. In total, 332 FLIR cameras have been installed in the Hundvåg and Eiganes tunnels combined.
With the thermal imaging camera, the FLIR ITS-Series Dual AID provides critical information on traffic incidents, including stopped vehicles, sudden speed drops, drivers travelling the wrong way, pedestrians, fallen objects and fires. Operators can also use the high-resolution (640 × 512 pixel) thermal image to verify the incident and to see where it took place.
The use of thermal imaging cameras has proven especially valuable for tunnel entrances and exits. There, shadows or direct sunlight can obstruct the view of the visible-light camera and therefore disturb traffic detection. Because they detect heat, not light, thermal cameras have no issues with these phenomena and, as a result, they can detect traffic 24/7 in all weather conditions.
“When you look at the complex topography of the Hundvåg and Eiganes tunnels, a camera system such as the FLIR ITS-Series Dual AID is the most efficient technology choice,” said Knut-Olav. “And with the many bends and turns in both tunnels, you need appropriate detection systems at many different positions.”
“The cameras’ daily performance is excellent,” said Anders Helle, Construction/Maintenance Manager at NPRA. “We can clearly see the detected incidents on the thermal image in our control room, which reduces the time to understand the situation and speeds up our decision-making process. Based on the system’s reliability, performance and low unwanted alarm rate, we would definitely recommend the FLIR dual-vision camera for automatic incident detection.”
“We are honoured to be selected for this major tunnel safety project,” said Sukhdev Bhogal, Business Development Director at FLIR Systems. “It is the first time that our FLIR ITS Dual AID cameras have been deployed in such large numbers and we are looking forward to making more tunnels in the region a safer place to travel through.”
“Apart from the great detection performance we are used to from FLIR, having a combined visual and thermal camera from one vendor has nothing but benefits,” said Knut-Olav. “Combining both cameras into one detection unit makes it a very compact solution and cabling is also much simpler.”The dual cameras’ fire detection functionality has also been switched on to demonstrate the early detection capability within seconds of the appearance of visible flames. This could be crucial for tunnel operators to close the tunnel fast and take the necessary decisions in the case of a fire. The thermal technology from FLIR ITS also allows operators to see through smoke and therefore detect the presence of pedestrians and vehicles in a smoke-filled traffic tunnel.
The fire detection functionality was demonstrated when a car caught fire in the Hundvåg tunnel in July 2020. The FLIR ITS Dual AID thermal camera picked up the fire within seven seconds after visible flames appeared, following its first alert for a stopped vehicle and pedestrians.
