Siemens has completed the deployment of the UK’s largest, and busiest, permanent average speed enforcement system across London using its proven and award-winning SafeZone technology.
Under contract to Transport for London (TfL), the system operates with more than 120 Sicore ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) cameras at 80 sites on various key arterial corridors around the UK capital, including the A40, A406, A2 and A316.
The system is part of a large-scale upgrade and expansion of enforcement capabilities to support TfL’s ‘Vision Zero’ approach to road safety, which puts the elimination of road danger at the heart of all operations. The SafeZone system uses Siemens’ next generation Sicore II ALPR camera platform, which was launched earlier this year.
Robust, reliable and built to last, Sicore II has been designed for average speed control and enforcement, low emission or clean air zones, and access control. With the demand for sophisticated enforcement systems increasing, it represents a significant step change in performance from traditional ALPR cameras. Sicore II has a compact and distinctive design. Integrated antennas support multiple communications options, including H.264 streaming for true multi-use ALPR without interruption, and dedicated wi-fi connectivity for secure and simple commissioning. The in-built virtual private network (VPN) also facilitates safe remote connection and delivers the highest levels of evidence data security.
“We are strongly committed to reducing danger on London’s streets, especially that caused by drivers exceeding the speed limit. Ensuring all drivers act responsibly is vitally important and we’re using the latest average speed camera technology, developed by Siemens, to do so,” explained Lilli Matson, TfL’s head of strategy and outcome planning. “Ensuring speed compliance along a more extensive length of road, rather than just where a camera is located, can make a big difference in cutting the number of tragic unacceptable collisions, saving more lives, and improving air quality.”
Luke Normington, head of enforcement solution at Siemens, noted, “The collaboration between us and TfL in the design phase of the project was of utmost importance to the success of the scheme to ensure the system was deployed efficiently and safely, with minimal impact to the road-users, often meaning installation and commissioning being carried out at night to minimize congestion effects.
“The design also considered the maintenance and operation requirements, where we hold the 10-year maintenance contract for the system, to ensure it continues to operate with the highest levels of availability 24/7/365.”
