Skip to main content

Sony cameras and video analysis advance road tunnel safety in Sweden

Road tunnels are a particularly dangerous environment. Not only do fires burn more violently in enclosed environments, as happened in the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel disaster, the low lighting and confined reaction space mean accidents are more likely to happen. Authorities must, therefore, be easily and quickly alerted to accidents, breakdowns and equipment must be working at all time.
May 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Road tunnels are a particularly dangerous environment. Not only do fires burn more violently in enclosed environments, as happened in the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel disaster, the low lighting and confined reaction space mean accidents are more likely to happen. Authorities must, therefore, be easily and quickly alerted to accidents, breakdowns and equipment must be working at all time.

To manage this process Sweden has implemented camera surveillance systems on almost all large tunnels. The latest to gain this technology is on the Norra Länken (Northern Link), a motorway in Stockholm, between Norrtull and Karlberg. Once complete, almost 500 cameras will monitor the entire tunnel and the surface road network.

To implement the network, Swedish authorities turned to 5572 ISG, a systems integrator and intelligent video analysis specialist, based in the southern, coastal city of Höganäs.

The ISG system, at the heart of which is a 576 Sony FCB vision camera, monitors traffic flow and analyses the video for incidents, such as breakdowns or accidents. Upon detection, the system automatically sends image sequences directly to Trafikverket and Stockholm Stad's (the City of Stockholm’s) traffic management centre, Trafik Stockholm, enabling the operations management team to determine further actions.

ISG is also in the process of upgrading functionality be adding additional, complementary technologies, for example radar detectors. ISG’s solution, which can combine information from different detection systems regardless of the technology and brand, is unique. The company will also supply vandal-resistant emergency telephones which are installed for example in first aid rooms, SOS cabins, at all on-ramps and off-ramps and at the parking slots at the various maintenance areas. When distressed road users pick up the phone, the call will be automatically directed to the operators at Trafik Stockholm.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sony camera for ITS applications
    January 23, 2012
    Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions division has extended its XCG range of GigE machine vision cameras with the launch of the XCG-H280E. According to the company, its resolution, high frame rate and ability to work in low light conditions make the camera module ideally suited to ITS applications, where image quality, sensitivity and speed are paramount. The camera module implements the ICX-674 full HD resolution CCD sensor, capable of running at up to 50fps and is the first sensor to benefit from Sony's n
  • WiM avoids bumps in the road
    May 5, 2020
    Road surfaces are deteriorating as years of budget squeezes bite among local authorities. Adam Hill asks leading Weigh in Motion players what effect this might be having on the accuracy of their technology – and how authorities can be made to see that WiM is a helpful tool
  • Teledyne Flir cameras demonstrate AI capabilities
    August 23, 2023
    Detectors will distinguish between cars, vans, small and large trucks, bicycles and motorbikes
  • Sharing resources, reducing traffic management costs
    January 25, 2012
    Telematics Technology’s Peter Billington, Chair of the UTMC ANPR Working Group, on how common protocols can enhance local agency cooperation and significantly reduce costs