As the transport industry is subject to competition, train operators are required to adapt to suit customer requirements. Surveys worldwide have confirmed that the desire for security and cleanliness during transport has increased dramatically during the past few years, and now ranks right at the top alongside functional passenger information systems. Ulrike Bjerno reports.

Ordinary suppliers of video surveillance systems are unable to operate in the rail transport market with the usual state of the art, since mobile digital video technology is much more sophisticated and complicated than stationary systems.
Expansion of the market is above average, and almost explosive levels of growth were registered during the last four years. Companies that joined the industry later on and/or whose systems have not been tested in the field and brought up to the highest level of development, are now faced with enormous development costs, which of course have to be transacted.
Other suppliers that wish to avoid this necessity but still want to benefit from the potential of this future market, use the option of marketing existing systems either as an OEM product or under a well-known, established name at their own expense. This situation lends the market its unique character and straightforward structure.

Increasing orders

Experts assume that all …PNV public transport vehicles will be equipped with video surveillance systems in the next 10 years.
While the current situation is such that vehicle fleets are being upgraded with video surveillance systems, growing demand is leading to the natural development that new vehicles ordered are already fitted with systems. Bus and train manufacturers will increasingly become aware of this. At present, a new link is emerging between vehicle manufacturers and suppliers in a young and interesting market.
The first company in Europe to equip …PNV public transport vehicles with digital surveillance systems was the German company RP Sicherheitssysteme GmbH. Since 1997, the range of products created especially for mobile applications has been constantly developed and adapted to the various applications and uses as well as to market requirements. During a contract in Copenhagen in 1998, RP was the first company to carry out data transmission via a GSM network, and thus became the forerunner on the European market.

Gothenburg project

In May 2001, RP acquired the largest mobile video surveillance contract ever issued in Europe (and the second largest worldwide), with the eight-camera system RoadRunner RP 8000. One-hundred-and-eighty trams, 100 single and 100 bendy buses as well as 46 fast trains are currently equipped with this system in Gothenburg, Sweden. The whole system, including the special dome camera is CE certified and approved by the KBA (E1). To date, it is the most widely sold video surveillance system for mobile applications in Europe. In addition, the RP 8000 system has acquired the largest tender in Germany for mobile video surveillance in …PNV public transport vehicles to date.
Trains in Gothenburg are made by the Italian manufacturer Ansaldobreda. The tram units consist of two or three individual carriages, while the fast trains are designed for double traction.
The carriages are separated during maintenance work, which is carried out by MGB GmbH in Mittenwalde. As well as having to comply with the thorough conditions already generally demanded by the mobile sector, systems used in the trains are also required to fulfil specific railway requirements, like for example conforming to the coupling systems.

Videotaping devices in trams should ideally have 6 camera inputs. Cameras should be placed at 3.5metre intervals to achieve clear pictures, and we recommend the use of flexible lenses. Two monitor outputs, in order to be able to make use of control monitors in the driver's compartment in two-way vehicles as well, are also necessary.
Control monitors enhance the preventive effect of the cameras and, as with the RP 8000 System, should be able to automatically switch to 'dark' if required once a certain speed has been reached so that staff are not distracted. Integrated ventilation devices in the dome cameras (as part of the RP 8000 system) prevent the lenses from misting over, and are protected from external influences thanks to vandal-proof, interchangeable domes.
The high-end systems of the future must offer the following features:
* GPS connection.
* IBIS connection.
* Transmission of pictures via existing clutch lines.
* Recorder status query via SMS.
* Low-vibration mounted hard disks.
* Search via input of time, route, or bus stop/train station.
* 25 pictures per second.
* E 1 certification for the whole system (videotaping devices and cameras).
* CE as well as standards for rail vehicles EN50155 and EN 50132-7.
Since the products are subject to rapid changes in technological developments, it is important to use systems that can be upgraded.
As the only company specialised in mobile video surveillance In Europe, RP has an approximately 70 per cent market share in Germany. While many years of experience in the field and a large number of systems installed are the basis for our strong position, this is also the result of our company philosophy: the ability to be 'on location' internationally as well as to respond to customer requirements.
Whether you require videotaping devices, cameras, or data evaluation, RP offers complete solutions, which also includes installation and after sales service.

enquiry no 45

Ulrike Bjerno is project Manager Export/Marketing, RP Sicherheitssysteme GmbH, Flensburg, Germany. www.rp-security.com