M1 Motorway Widening

24 Hour Monitoring for M1 Widening

Published: 08.05.2009

Sector: Roads & Tunnels

During 30 months of construction work in widening the M1 to accommodate increased traffic requirements, COE supplied fibre transmission and control system for safety monitoring of the entire site

Project brief

The M1 is the UK’s oldest motorway and is the backbone of the UK’s national motorway network. Built in 1959, it served 13,000 cars a day compared to 88,000 cars per day now. COE was contracted to provide CCTV transmission and management equipment for environmental and safety monitoring during the 30-month expansion works period for the entire 10 mile stretch where this work was undertaken.

Analysis

Requirements included the use of fibre optic transmission for all video and data signals and a flexible control system to accommodate the changing operational needs of the project through a competitive cost-effective design.

Solution

The project utilises 126 cameras along the 10 mile section and includes fixed and PTZ cameras. Video and data transmission is achieved on single-mode fibre via single channel and four channel codecs. This reduces the number of fibres required for multiple video signals by digitally multiplexing up to four signals onto one single-mode fibre. All video and data signals are transmitted back to a central control room at the works site close to junction 8 on the M1 where the signals are monitored and recorded. COE Telecommand provides the video switching management and control system, providing sequences, tours, salvos and macro functionality for each operator.

Benefits

• The combination of digital technology and software providing a complex CCTV system with advanced functionality.
• Integration between the transmission and control system reduced installation time and potential technical issues.
• Provided the highest level of reliability for a motorway deployed CCTV system operating 24/7.
• Provided a rugged, flexible and scaleable solution.
• Highest quality real-time images for all operators.