Axis partners with City of Houston for Super Bowl LIVE

Mission

With over one million people expected through downtown for Super Bowl LIVE, the City of Houston needed to upgrade its existing camera system to address the needs of law enforcement in the area. A number of moving and temporary structures created a chaotic deployment while wireless interference throughout downtown was an issue in streaming the camera data back to the City’s two primary command posts, the Real Time Crime Center and Emergency Operations Center.

Solution

The City of Houston utilized a selection of Axis Communications' network cameras, including PTZ, thermal and flexible options to cover all bases. Streaming through a combination of fiber and wireless provided by Verizon Wireless and Siklu respectively, the City was able to gather data at a fluid pace and keep alert as needed in case of incidents.

The City of Houston took a two-fold approach to protecting fans and staff downtown. Planning camera installations both at ground level and from above, the City hoped to cover all aspects of the facilities and grounds. “We needed to augment and support our existing network,” Hanagriff added. “Situational awareness is vital. These camera views increase our capabilities as first responders and help determine what resources are needed in any given situation.” With countless points of entry, AXIS F44 Main Units were deployed so that an AXIS F4005-E Sensor Unit could be utilized over each metal detector. 

The City of Houston utilized a selection of Axis Communications' network cameras, including PTZ, thermal and flexible options to cover all bases.

Additionally, an AXIS Q6155-E PTZ Network Camera captured various points in the surrounding area. This five-camera installation at each gate gave officials the necessary views to keep watch over these key chokepoints and reviewable footage in case of incident. The cameras provided a strong resource for a mix of agencies and teams in Houston. With the command post in the GRB Convention Center and Emergency Operations Center offsite, police, fire and emergency management all utilized camera footage. The Texas Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety also utilized camera views.

Houston Police and Fire Departments sought additional viewpoints that could give useful data and information to their personnel in addressing incidents. The solution provided was a set of cameras nestled on the roof of a downtown building to provide over watch. Primarily, a pair of AXIS Q1942-E Thermal Network Cameras pointed at each main slice of Discovery Green. Another AXIS Q6155-E gave staff PTZ capabilities from above the venue.

Result

A wide selection of government and local agencies used the overall camera system for their own needs. These included police, fire, Emergency Management and transportation entities. A successful event overall for the City of Houston, the cameras and partner network added a necessary tool with analytics that not only provided assistance and support for ground operations surrounding this event but laid out the platform for continued advancement of technology use in the City for general safety needs.