9.000 eyes watch the urban buses of Madrid

The Municipal Transport Company (EMT) of Madrid has installed an on-board video surveillance system in its entire bus fleet. This pioneering project in urban transportation significantly increases user safety thanks to the almost 9.000 cameras that, installed on board the 2.150 vehicles that circulate through the capital, allow real-time monitoring, by transmitting images to an Alarm Receiving Center of any incident or emergency that occurs inside the vehicles.

With the aim of improving safety inside the buses of the Municipal Transport Company, The Madrid City Council launched in February 2007 the Bus Onboard Video Surveillance project (VEA), which has involved the installation of 8.975 cameras in the almost 2.200 buses of the 216 existing lines, that cover 3.600 kilometers and have 10.000 stops. A service that annually transports 425 million passengers and travels 100 million kilometers.

This project significantly increases safety inside vehicles in the event of any incident or emergency and thus benefits public transport users and EMT workers., increasing the quality of the drivers' jobs.

The implementation of the system has involved the incorporation of four video surveillance cameras for each EMT bus - six in the articulated vehicles, larger size-. Its mission consists of the continuous recording and monitoring of high resolution images in real time during the provision of the service so that, from various angles, The cameras record minute by minute what happens inside the vehicle.

Emergency response

The recorded images are stored on a hard drive installed on the bus itself and, if any incident occurs, are unloaded at the operations center upon completion of vehicle service. Only if a major incident or risk or alert situation occurs, and always at the discretion of the driver, he can press a button that automatically transmits the recorded images, in real time, to the Alarm Receiving Center (CRA) -managed by Segur Control, a security company authorized by the General Directorate of State Security- that allows you to monitor the entire fleet through video in real time.

From that very moment, The Central analyzes the images and, depending on the cause of alarm, notifies the competent operational centers - the National or Municipal Police or emergency services such as Samur, Civil Protection or Firefighters- so that an immediate and appropriate response can be offered. While the images on the bus are recorded in half definition, when they go to the Central they are already on high, which gives them greater quality and allows their police and judicial use for the identification of people. Each bus also includes GPS so it is easy to locate it at any time. Additionally, The system adds the possibility for passengers to access the Internet for free thanks to the installation of Wi-Fi access points on each bus.

It is important to highlight that this recording system meets all the requirements established by legislation in this matter.. So, The images recorded and stored inside the bus are kept for an approximate period of 7 days and, once it has passed, are eliminated. However, if the images have been registered in the Alarm Reception Center, They are kept for a maximum of one month, when they will be destroyed, unless they have been required by the Police or by the judicial authority. Audio-voice is not recorded- of travelers; Only the driver has a microphone through which he can communicate with the control center if necessary.

Deterrent

The new system has a powerful deterrent or preventive effect and can also provide agility and greater efficiency when resolving health emergencies that occur on buses.: falls when going up or down, and even cases of heart attacks, nothing strange in a means of transport that transports one and a half million citizens every working day on average. Despite this intensive use, the incidents that are recorded -with intervention of safety devices and complaints or reports of injuries-, according to official data, do not exceed 50 per year.

Nevertheless, until the VEA project was launched, The EMT did not have any active video surveillance system on its buses, that were exposed to acts of vandalism or actions against the safety of travelers and drivers. In the event that something happened, it was very difficult to identify the person responsible for the incidents unless they were caught in the act., which is difficult and did not happen in most situations. For this reason, It was decided to look for an on-board video surveillance solution that could help the Madrid transport entity achieve its objectives..

The deputy director of Technologies and Information Systems of the Municipal Transport Company, Enrique Diego, has explained: “For many months we evaluated different ways to efficiently monitor and follow up on possible incidents that could occur on our buses.. Besides, We were looking for a system that would allow us to make quick decisions about the actions to take after an incident occurred. “Based on our own experiences and conclusions and those of other similar projects, we decided to opt for video surveillance.”.

When the EMT made public the call for the public tender for the video surveillance system, it received 13 proposals with solutions from different manufacturers and integrators. “For more than 6 months we installed and evaluated 10 different video surveillance systems in 10 bus. One of the required criteria was the ability to provide reliable access to live images captured by cameras inside the buses.. It should also be possible to integrate the video surveillance system with other on-board systems and easily expand the solution to meet future requirements.”, Diego added.

awarded UTE

They were looking for a camera with the capacity to provide multiple video sequences, at least 2, one of which had to be in H.264 image compression format, since they had to be sent via 3G to the EMT Alarm Receiving Center. After the evaluation process, The EMT opted for the proposal of the Temporary Union of Companies (UTE) formed by Etra Group, Hit it y Plettac, who presented a project based on network cameras and video encoders Axis Communications, offering the availability of the H.264 format and the increased processor capacity of Axis products, the ARTPEC, that in your version 3 allows providing multiple simultaneous video streams in different compression formats.

During the first semester of 2009 Technical and functional tests were carried out with the VEA system in a prototype vehicle equipped with cameras. Once these tests are completed, in the second semester of 2009 This system was implemented in thirty vehicles belonging to three lines, and since mid 2011 The surveillance camera network has already been installed throughout the EMT fleet -2.150 vehicles-.

Almost 9.000 installed cameras

Each standard bus is equipped with 4 video surveillance cameras. Video capture is intended from various angles of the vehicle, its local storage, image processing and various telecommunications interfaces with which the interior compartment of the buses can be viewed in real time and delayed. The cameras are attached to the roof of the bus and are barely noticeable, if one does not look carefully.

Three of the four cameras are Axis M3113-R network cameras, robust, compact and easy to install, that provide high resolution images and have been specially designed for use in land passenger transportation systems, designed to withstand the unfavorable onboard environment, including resistance to vibrations and temperature fluctuations and anti-tamper alarm.

Bruno Azula, responsible for Strategic Accounts of the Swedish firm, has noted that “the Axis M3113-R provides SVGA resolution (800×600 pixels), that offers sufficient level of detail to identify people or objects. The cameras can transmit video sequences at the maximum frame rate in H.264 and Motion JPEG compression formats. H.264 compression optimizes bandwidth consumption (critical for 3G mobile communications) and storage requirements..

“The Axis M3113-R includes a robust RJ-45 or M12 network connector. They respond very quickly to changes in light levels, and they manage to obtain images of moving objects with great clarity by using progressive scan technology. They are designed for easy and reliable installation and also support the Power over Ethernet standard. (which allows power supply to the cameras through the network cable) “A single cable is sufficient for the transmission of electrical current and video and they can be integrated with other devices and security systems.”, Azula added.

Axis M3113-R
• Specially designed for video surveillance in buses, trains, subway cars and emergency vehicles
• Flat and robust design
• Progressive scan and SVGA resolution
• Multiple H.264 and Motion JPEG sequences
• Quick and reliable installation
• Protection against dust and water
• Anti-tamper alarm active

Custom design

At the request of the EMT, Axis carried out a mechanical redesign of the cameras, allowing the connection cable to exit vertically instead of from the side. This detail is important since part of the bus cleaning services is carried out with pressurized water.. Anti-vandal features were also reinforced., insulation against water and heat resistance. Besides, increased the fire resistance of the camera protection casings. The Scandinavian manufacturer also developed a series of accessories that provide improvements in both the possibilities and the simplicity of installing the cameras., providing them with special adapters to be able to install them in curved areas of the bus, and created a camera focusing aid tool.

The deputy director of Information Technologies and Systems of the EMT has pointed out in this regard: “For this project it has been very important to have a camera supplier like Axis Communications, who has proven to know how to be close to his clients. They have taken advantage of our previous experiences in on-board video surveillance and the characteristics of the Madrid public transport bus fleet to develop the Axis M3113-R network camera. This product adapts perfectly to the requirements and needs of our project and we believe that, given the similarities that exist between urban bus transportation systems, “It can fit properly into most on-board video surveillance solutions that can be carried out in any city in Spain and the world.”.

Discreet cameras

Regarding the fourth chamber, the one installed just behind the driver, it was decided to incorporate audio capabilities. For this reason it was considered that it was best to have an analog camera and to include a video encoder with audio capabilities to convert the analog images and audio to digital format so they could be incorporated into the system.. The analog camera provides greater light sensitivity in darker scenarios.

The model chosen was the DDF3000APV Picodome camera from Dallmeier for flush mounting, with transparent bubble and high resolution monofocal objective. The DDF3000APV is a very small and compact mini dome with a diameter of only 94 mm., Vandal protection and ultra-wide dynamic range. The camera integrates seamlessly into the bus's existing architecture and is discreetly installed recessed into the ceiling., painted white, so the white arch of the Picodome fits perfectly. Nevertheless, small size and compact construction are not the only advantages: thanks to Cam_inPIX technology, The Picodome provides sharp images with high contrast and color fidelity even under the most difficult lighting conditions.

Dallmeier DDF3000APV
• Horizontal resolution: 540 TV lines
• 1/3” DPS image sensor with Cam_inPIX technology
• Chipset Digital Pixel System
• Digital signal processing 17 bits
• High light sensitivity at F1.4, 50IRE: 1,0 lux
• Image capture: progressive scan
• Image transmission: progressive with segmented frames (PsF)
• Lens coating with IR cut layers
• Advanced noise reduction
• Optimization of image quality through numerous control functions, like AWB, AGC, BLC and advanced slow shutter
• Monofocal objective at F1.4/ f=3.6mm
• Configuration through UTC commands
• Compact, vandal-protected housing with IP66
• PPL (push, point and lock for easy orientation)
• Verified according to DIN EN 50130-4

Video quality

This camera communicates with an Axis Q7401 encoder, a high-performance single-channel solution that integrates an analog camera into an IP-based video surveillance system. Thanks to its video processing capabilities, Axis Q7401 offers superior video quality and saves on bandwidth and storage.

Axis Q7401 offers highly efficient H.264 video compression system, dramatically reduces bandwidth and storage requirements without impacting image quality. For greater flexibility, also supports Motion JPEG. The Axis Q7401 can provide multiple simultaneous, individually configurable video streams at full frame rate at all resolutions., up to D1 (720 x 480 pixels in NTSC, 720 x 576 pixels in PAL). This means that various video streams can be configured with different compression formats., resolutions and frame rates as needed.

The video encoder also allows users to adjust image parameters such as contrast, brightness and saturation to enhance images before encoding is done.

Axis Q7401 includes smart features such as enhanced motion detection, active tamper alarm and sound detection. External encoder inputs and outputs can be connected to devices such as sensors and relays, allowing the system to react to alarms and, For example, activate lights or open/close doors.

Power over Ethernet support (IEEE802.3af) allows the unit and the analog camera to which it is connected to receive power using the same cable used for data transmission. This makes installation easier, since it is not necessary to have a power outlet nearby. In addition, The Axis Q7401 features two-way audio and an SD/SDHC memory card slot for local storage.

Axis Q7401
• Outstanding video quality
• Various H.264 streams
• Image configuration settings
• Smart video features
• Power over Ethernet
• Audio support
• Local storage

The new video surveillance system on Madrid EMT buses has not only helped reduce incident response costs. It has also provided the EMT with an effective security tool to prevent possible crimes and investigate incidents that occur on this transportation network.. “On-board video surveillance is allowing us to identify the people who cause incidents and the evidence of any criminal action is recorded and can be used as a convincing factor in legal actions.”. We estimate that the annual costs associated with vandalism and graffiti removal represent 600.000 €, a figure that we hope will be reduced considerably. At the same time, we consider that keeping our buses safe helps us attract more passengers and increase their level of satisfaction with the service we provide them.”, Enrique Diego has concluded.

Customer:
Municipal Transport Company (EMT) from Madrid
Integrator:
U.T.E. VEA (Etra Group, Iecisa and Plettac)
Suppliers:
Axis Communications y Dallmeier
Solutions:
Axis M3113-R and Dallmeier DDF3000APV cameras and Axis Q7401 encoder

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