The Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryolları (TCDD) — State Railways of the Turkish Republic — Regional 4 Directorate of Administration required a system which could identify unsafe or potentially unsafe situations, day or night, at the 41 level crossings on its Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars lines.
The Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryolları (TCDD) — State Railways of the Turkish Republic — Regional 4 Directorate of Administration required a system which could identify unsafe or potentially unsafe situations, day or night, at the 41 level crossings on its Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars lines.
The challenge
The TCDD Region 4 Directorate of Administration wanted an infrastructure that would support a ready-to-use video surveillance system to record images at these automatic-barrier level crossings. The system had to cover all areas surrounding the level crossings and provide detailed wide-angle shots.
The Sony solution
To provide safety monitoring at the level crossings on the TCDD Region 4 Directorate's network, 41
Sony security cameras were used in the newly established security system.
With four times the resolution of Full HD, the cameras are Sony's first 4K networked security camera. This 4K technology brings industry-leading clarity and sensitivity to critical video monitoring and surveillance systems. The camera features a large, highly sensitive type 1.0 back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor, a high-speed image processing engine and a high-quality zoom lens. These components ensure unparalleled low-light sensitivity at brightness values as low as 0.06 lx and extraordinary 4k/30 fps image recording. This means that the SNC-VM772R is able to capture images with a level of quality simply not offered by traditional 4K video surveillance cameras.
The 20-megapixel sensor also enables high-quality still image recording at a resolution even higher than 4K, allowing close examination of a scene to be used as evidence. Picture settings are automatically selected to suit a wide range of environmental factors such as weather, time and lighting conditions to provide the best picture quality for the scene. The camera features a rugged vandal and weather-resistant design that is ideal for tough round-the-clock video security and surveillance applications, both indoors and outdoors.
The result
Contractor, Sibernetik Teknoloji, implemented the TCDD Region 4 Level Crossing camera system. 41 Sony Professional 4K Minidome cameras were used, allowing high-quality image recording of a very large area. The cameras, in conjunction with the use of Axxonsoft video analysis software, allow the detection of any obstructions that may create unsafe situations – preventing incidents before they arise and providing a full picture of any incidents that may occur when trains cross the level crossing. Before a train crosses, the system is able to detect any obstruction on the level crossing rails or any stray objects in the surrounding area. Thanks to the video analysis, it is no longer necessary for images to be continuously monitored by an operator, and when a potentially dangerous situation does arise, the system alerts the user immediately. The system provides live monitoring and the ability to investigate any incidents that may occur. It uses the most up-to-date technology, and its planned lifespan is between 6 and 7 years.
“Using Sony’s SNC-VM772R cameras, the system that we have brought online monitors the level crossings live and is able to detect any issues that may threaten safety, allowing the necessary precautions to be taken,” said Mustafa Görkem, Director of Operations, Sibernetik Teknoloji's. “Furthermore, with IR lighting, it is able to perform in low or no-light situations. As such, this will be the main tool that TCDD staff use to detect unsafe situations before an incident occurs, 24 hours a day."
Why Sony was chosen
Sony’s cameras were selected because of their outstanding features, including 4K quality images and the sensor's ability to operate down to a size of 1 inch, both day and night. The cameras can monitor a wider field of vision than fixed dome cameras and its high image quality makes the identification of individuals much easier. Its domed shape also acts as a deterrent, as individuals are unable to identify exactly in which direction the camera is facing.