ALERT/Cellular PTZ Camera System to Aid In Flood Monitoring€¦ · AUG Conference April 2016 Tenaya Lodge Yosemite . 1. AUG Conference April 2016 Tenaya Lodge Yosemite . 2. Project

Tom Ogden Business Development Manager

ALERT/Cellular PTZ Camera System to Aid In Flood

Monitoring

Bob Eitel (Retired / Sort of)

AUG Conference April 2016 Tenaya Lodge Yosemite 1


Project Description

• Customer in Fairfax County was seeking a pilot project to add a visual confirmation of water level at a flood control structure and also to monitor debris loading. Naturally an outdoor camera was the right solution.


Requirements

• Pan, Tilt, & Zoom • High Resolution • Motion and or Still Images • Viewable at night • Low Power – Minimal Solar Panel and Battery • Cellular access viewable through web browsers for

computers, tablets and smart phones • Password protected • Remote activation



Solution

The power consumption of the cellular device, camera, and IR illuminator, was so great, (3amps plus) during operation, meant that the use of the camera would be limited if the solar panel and battery were to be minimal.


Solution • To limit the power consumption of the system, activation of

the camera needed to be customer driven only when needed.

• The Customer had already implemented an ALERT Flood Warning System that included a two way component for activating flashing beacons.

• By equipping the site with a low powered ALERT controller we provided the system operator with the capability of turning on the modem and camera equipment when visibility of the site was needed and keeping the equipped powered down most of the time and drawing no power.

•



Site Layout


Site Design


Site Design


Site Design


Equipment Provided

• HSE 3512 Controller • Axis PTZ Dome Camera • Sierra Wireless Cell Modem • 20 Watt Solar Panel • 100 Amp Hr Battery • IR Illuminator – 50ft range • 20ft 4” Galvanized Pole • Equipment Cabinet


Final Configuration

• User has the ability to turn the camera on and off from the base

station, tablet or smart phone with internet access and browser • Ability to change the settings of the camera for image resolution, and

frame rate • A timer was implemented so the camera and cell modem would be

turned off if inactive for 5 minutes. • A pulse command could be sent to re-trigger the timer to keep the

camera on. • Expandable to have local activation with sensor inputs with settable

thresholds • Full weather station expandable • Full Pan, tilt and zoom capability • IR illuminator has a photo cell so it will only be active during dark

hours, minimizing current draw.


Installation Photos


Installation Photos


Installation Photos




Lessons Learned

• Rain on dome impairs image during storms particularly with headlights shining on it at night. Potential solution – Rainex (for plastic)

• System warm-up time varies but can be a bit over 3 minutes and the wait is frustrating. We are looking at replacing the controller with low power cell modem with control output – always on and powers up camera and IR Illuminator.


Application Uses

• Public Works – Low Water Crossings, Flooded

Roadways • Emergency Managers - High Water Rescues • Flood Control – Facility Maintenance, Debris

Loading – Stage Verification – Staff Gauge reference


Flooded Roadways - Staff Gauge Verification












Flooded Roadways - Barricade Response Deployment






Flooded Roadways - Advanced Warning Device Verification


Flooded Roadways - Advanced Warning Device Verification


Flooded Roadways - after event clean-up response










Flooded Roadways - undermined roadways








Flood Control - Staff Gauge Verification






Flood Control - Control Structure Debris Loading







Questions?


Documents

ALERT/Cellular PTZ Camera System to Aid In Flood Monitoring€¦ · AUG Conference April 2016 Tenaya Lodge Yosemite . 1. AUG Conference April 2016 Tenaya Lodge Yosemite . 2. Project