Thermal cameras for Gautrain

C3 Shared Services has been appointed by Bombardier to supply and install a combination of two military grade technologies, namely Opgal’s thermal cameras combined with ioimage intelligent video analytics, to monitor the tracks and tunnels of the Gautrain rail.

Due to the emphasis on a very high level of security along the Gautrain rail and in the tunnels, the main criteria was to select a combination of technologies that provide detection of human targets even in no light conditions. Opgal’s thermal cameras combined with ioimage intelligent video analytics were selected for their high probability of detection and low false alarm rate. This decision was not taken lightly and was only decided upon once rigorous and extensive testing had been conducted between different brands of thermal cameras and video analytics. The test results were then sent over to France for final scrutinising, which was based on the performance of the technologies to comply or exceed the criteria of user requirements set by Bombardier as part of their security methodology.

C3 was appointed as the preferred vendor. Nick Grange, technical director of C3 says, “Our cameras also had the leading edge over the competition because of the wide range of lens selection available which was necessary due to the nature and layout of the Gautrain track”.

To date, C3 has had enormous success with numerous installations of thermal cameras combined with high performance video analytics at various sites in South Africa including residential estates, refineries, correctional facilities and national keypoints. The C3 solution will integrate with Bombardier’s high-tech video management system enabling operators of the system to monitor unauthorised access to the rail and making it a much safer environment for both Gautrain personnel and commuters alike.