Navtech Radar is Selected to Deliver Radar Incident Detection Solution for A3 Hindhead Tunnel
Leading radar incident detection solutions manufacturer will supply 6 ClearWay™ TS350-X radar per tunnel bore
March 17, 2010: World leading radar developer and manufacturer of high performance incident detections solutions for the transport sector, Navtech Radar Ltd, has been selected to supply their ClearWay™ solution for the new Hindhead Tunnel on the A3 in Surrey. The A3 Hindhead project is included in the Government's program of major schemes. The project will complete the dual carriageway link between London and Portsmouth and remove a major source of congestion, particularly around the A3/A287 traffic signal controlled crossroads. The new road will be 6.5 km (4 miles) long and includes 1.8 km (1.1 miles) twin bored tunnels under the Devil's Punch Bowl.
According to co-founder of Navtech Radar Dr. Stephen Clark, “Radar incident detection solutions have proved themselves through a number of trials conducted by the UK Highways Agency, both above ground and in tunnels. I am absolutely delighted to announce that our technology has been selected for the new Hindhead Tunnel. At Navtech Radar we’re working hard on automatic radar incident detection systems and we know that operators will typically want to know - in real time - if an ‘incident’ occurs. This might include a slow moving vehicle, stopped vehicles, reversing vehicles, pedestrians or debris. Individual radar have long detection ranges per device and so allow fewer sensors and lower install cost and maintenance. Radar is unaffected by fog, bright sunlight or general dust and grime, it will continue to detect vehicles and people though smoke in the event that there is an incident which could be invaluable to emergency services. The fact that ClearWay is now going into a state-of-the-art new tunnel bears testament to the applicability of the technology. I am therefore also hopeful that the Hindhead project will bring us closer to other tunnel projects both in the UK and abroad”.
PDS Limited is responsible for the SCADA control system and system integration with a number of the other tunnel systems for the Hindhead project. Business Development Manager Mike Rose of PDS says, “Navtech’s ClearWay solution was chosen for the extremely low false alarm rate documented in trials and the fact that it is unaffected by environmental conditions such as rain, fog or dust. The solution complied with the standard requirements we had, but a bespoke change to the interface had to be implemented in order to facilitate seamless integration to the SCADA control system. The system also had to be able to handle a change to the tunnel operating mode so that it continues to operate and generate alarms when a bore is operated in contra flow mode. The project also incorporates two service buildings – a Primary Tunnel Service Building (TSB) and a secondary. The Primary TSB is planned to be manned 24/7 and includes a local control room. The ClearWay solution reports the location of an alarm to the SCADA and then appropriate action can be taken, to alert the control room operator and bring up the most relevant CCTV camera image automatically if required”.
When completed, the A3 Hindhead project will deliver quicker, more reliable journeys on a safer road, and remove much of the present peak time "rat-running" traffic from unsuitable country roads around Hindhead. It includes the closure of the existing A3 around the Devil's Punch Bowl, bringing considerable environmental benefits to an internationally prized area. The centre of Hindhead will be freed from the daily gridlock that blights the area, with the result that the project will bring benefits to road users, local residents, and the highly prized environment. Work started in January 2007, and the main tunneling works started in February 2008 and both tunnel bores broke through on 26 February 2009. The tunnel is planned to be open for traffic in mid 2011.
Navtech Radar will be showcasing their ClearWay™ technology at the Intertraffic Show in Amsterdam, March 23rd to 26th, 2010. You will find Navtech on Stand 11.820 in Hall 11, which is dedicated to ITS Management products and services. Dr. Clark will also be giving a presentation on the topic 'Scanning Radar for Hard Shoulder Running and Automatic Incident Detection', which will include an overview of the company’s innovative scanning radar technology and details of areas where radar are currently in use. The presentation will take place on Wednesday 24 March, 15:15 – 16:00 in the seminar rooms in Hall 9.
For a high resolution version of the above image, either click on the image or contact Vibeke Ulmann at Catalyst Communications.
|
|
About Navtech Radar
Navtech Radar Ltd. is the world’s leading developer of commercial off-the-shelf radar sensors at 76 to 77 GHz frequencies. The Navtech Radar industrial sensor is world renowned as the radar sensor of choice for outdoor driverless vehicle navigation and obstacle detection applications. Customers include a number of National Government research departments and international corporations such as Boeing, Caterpillar and Danaher Motion.
Navtech further develops and manufactures highly effective millimetre wave (MMW) radar sensor solutions for outdoor commercial applications. This has lead to a series of ‘world first’ applications such as; the first driverless straddle carrier operational port in the world in Brisbane, Australia. The first quay crane anti-collision safety system using MMW radar on operational cranes for Bristol Port Authority, UK. The first operational airport ground surface movement system using MMW radar operating at East Midland's Airport, UK. The first commercial off-the-shelf 77GHz MMW radar security system application in a number of countries such as USA, Italy, Poland, Ireland, UK and – notably - the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. The first 77GHz MMW radar installation for motorway incident detection and hard shoulder monitoring deployed on the M42 for the UK Highways Agency. More information can be found at the Navtech Radar website (www.navtechradar.com).
For further information, please contact Navtech direct or their marketing agency, Catalyst Communications.
Vibeke Ulmann
Catalyst Communications
The Annexe
2 Crispin Way
Farnham Common
Buckinghamshire SL2 3UE.
T: +44 (0) 845 226 3036
F: +44 (0) 845 226 3136
|
