BH International Airport, in Confins, Minas Gerais, receives 9.6 million passengers per year on domestic and international flights.
Mission
BH International Airport, in Confins, Minas Gerais, receives 9.6 million passengers per year on domestic and international flights. BH Airport, the concessionaire responsible for the airport, opened a tender for the video surveillance system for the new Terminal, listing 50 criteria and requiring a proof of concept to confirm whether the manufacturer’s promise was reflected in what was to be delivered.
Solution
After a practical analysis lasting more than a month, the concessionaire chose
Axis Communications as the brand for the cameras for the new Terminal. BH Airport carried out the project that prioritized how well the proposal met the technical specifications for operation, safety and maintenance, while offering the lowest investment. All cameras have WDR technology with Forensic Capture that makes it possible to see important forensic details clearly. They all have IK08 or higher anti-vandal protection and enhanced image compression capacity using
Axis Zipstream technology.
Result
The project was fully developed to make the airport environment safer from the point of view of civil aviation and operational security. The images are shared in real time with law enforcement authorities. Even facial expressions that show nervousness can prompt a preventive contact action.
But the advantages for BH Airport go beyond traditional video surveillance. Airport cameras can support internal investigations to analyze passenger complaints in general.
Operators can use the images displayed at the Airport Operation Center (APOC) to accurately measure the aircraft’s ground time on the apron for billing airport fees. These cameras make it possible to see whether the pilot has received the right instructions, and whether the plane has been parked in the loading and unloading position correctly, since a poorly positioned aircraft can cause serious problems.
Freedom of choice
BH International Airport’s new Terminal has more than doubled the airport’s passenger capacity - from 10 million passengers a year to 22 million. More than US$ 260 million were invested in the project, including the expansion of the aircraft apron area and new parking spaces. The concession, which runs until 2044, made it clear that the video monitoring system should be based on an open platform to ensure free competition during the procurement period and when any expansion was required.
A detailed study was carried out for the installation of the video monitoring system in the new terminal, evaluating six aspects: technology, integration, cost/ benefit ratio, business needs, operational needs, security/safety, and maintenance needs. More than 50 specific points covering these six aspects were considered.
To test this future investment, a concept test was carried out in a real-life environment, in an area chosen by the concessionaire. For one month, images were captured using cameras from six different manufacturers. Axis met all the specifications and satisfied the needs set out in the project.
Operational benefits
The project combined the fixed AXIS M1124-E Network Cameras (and the Full HD version, AXIS M1125-E) and AXIS P3224-LVE (as well as the Full HD version, AXIS P3225-LVE). AXIS P5635-E and AXIS Q6115-E PTZ cameras were also selected.
Greater accuracy was achieved in outdoor areas thanks to superior image quality, with lighting compensation and zoom. The images show the exact moment of landing, and the entire path along the runway is tracked by the cameras. This allows confirmation of the exact moment when the employee places a chock on the aircraft wheel, starting the clock for the aircraft apron fee. It also allows recording of aircraft status in order to protect the airport.
In addition, by monitoring the apron and aircraft, the system ensures that airport employees have properly instructed pilots. An improperly positioned aircraft can cause accidents even on the ground, such as a crash with the air bridge.
One of the technical challenges presented by apron monitoring was dealing with reflections generated by concrete, a problem mitigated by WDR technology using Forensic Capture. AXIS Q6115-E’s Speed Dry function removes raindrops from the lens on outdoor cameras mounting on lamp posts, all with the push of a button via the software interface—a useful tool in bad weather.
Security’s vision in the process
As a key process user, the airport security team participated in all stages, from conception to commissioning, conducting a survey of safety requirements related to the concession contract and strategic partners. Airport security participated actively throughout this process, evaluating the detailed designs, coverage plans and adherence to current regulations to specify and quantify the equipment needed.