Communications Concepts wins rail deal

PRINCETON, N.J.—SightSensor video analytic thermal cameras from SightLogix have been deployed at a major Class 1 railroad. The installation is being funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 2011 Freight Rail Security Grant Program.

Funds are allocated to freight railroad carriers that own railways in order to strengthen their ability to protect against threats, and to maintain the security of critical surface rail infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.

Communication Concepts, a Florida-based certified SightLogix systems integrator, was awarded the contract to design and install the systems.
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According to Mark Mills, president of Communication Concepts, the bid and awards process was different from conventional RFPs. In this instance, the rail company supplied a list of thermal imaging product selections from three different manufacturers that they had researched and deemed acceptable for use in the project.
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“Typically in these scenarios, an integrator will ask the client which brand they prefer,” Mills said, in a prepared statement. “In this case, Communication Concepts felt very strongly about the SightLogix solution, and wouldn't recommend using anything else.”
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The projects range from perimeter security at railroad bridges spanning rivers and ravines to bridges located in remote and urban areas with constant river traffic. The project also calls for SightSensor systems to be installed on a temporary basis to monitor activities at a tunnel site under construction.

To date, the customer has commissioned five rail bridges with the SightLogix system. Each bridge has 10 SightSensor thermal cameras for comprehensive wide area detection, along with two SightTrackers to automatically direct PTZ cameras for visual details about detected targets. An additional six locations have been commissioned, and implementation by Communication Concepts is underway.
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SightLogix SightSensor systems are smart thermal cameras with integrated video analytics that have been designed specifically for securing critical infrastructure in these types of harsh outdoor environments.

The system provides visual alarm verification directly to the VMS, while sending target details such as size, speed and direction to the PSIM. Systems are hard-wired, using a combination of T1 communication technology and copper. Mills also noted that in one of the recent jobs where renovation work is being done, they installed the system using wireless technology.