2nd Gen. CCTV OIF/VC

The OIF/VC system enables users to view video from motorway CCTV cameras. The OIF software is presented to the user via a graphical user interface which provides elements allowing the user to view and navigate around a map showing camera positions overlayed on the trunk road network and to view video from cameras. Other features can be accessed to enable the user to set up the way in which the system is used or the way in which camera images are presented to the user.

The CCTV system has been designed to replace the first generation of CCTV system already installed on UK motorways and trunk roads. The system will continue and improve upon the existing functionality of the first generation system by assisting the Police in managing traffic flows and incidents. Whereas the first generation comprised typically less than 100 cameras linked to a single control centre, with only limited communications between control centres, the second generation CCTV (2G CCTV) system relies on an open networked approach to provide a solution which is scalable and distributed. Control centres can communicate with each other, and can view cameras in each other’s areas. The number of cameras and operator positions also takes a quantum leap in the move to 2G CCTV with the system being designed for up to 40 simultaneous operators controlling up to 1000 display devices (including video walls) and up to 1000 cameras.

A brief overview of the system operation follows (some users may prevented from certain functions by the
permissions associated with their user level) ;

User permissions are varied according to the status of the operator and broadly range from ‘view only’, though ‘view & move camera’, to ‘view & move camera and construct & view camera sequences’. The highest level of permission, that of ‘Engineer’ allows full configuration of the system.
A zoomable & scrollable map on the GUI will show camera locations on the trunk road network. This will make it straightforward to locate cameras and select them for display on the video monitor.
Camera output can be viewed.
Cameras can be panned, tilted and zoomed to show close up or panoramic views.
‘Autocycles’ and ‘Programs’ (known as Sequences) may be constructed by linking together a series of cameras for display one after another on a single monitor.
A number of preset positions will be available in order to send cameras to frequently used positions without the need to manually drive the camera to that position.
Text will be overlaid on the video feed with information concerning the camera that is being displayed, although this may be different on the device that it is being displayed upon.
Text messages may be sent from one user to another to be displayed on the target user’s monitor over the top of the video feed.
In order to protect the privacy of members of the public, non dwell zones will be implemented to prevent a panning camera from coming to rest within certain limits; software endstops will also be implemented to prevent complete rotation or tilting of a camera where appropriate.
In order to prevent third party users from viewing certain images the system will include an ‘image blanking’ and ‘image blocking’ capability that prevents users with low level permissions from viewing images from cameras that are zoomed in past a user definable threshold.

The Second Generation CCTV System has been designed to:

assist operators in managing the road network
give CCTV access to network managers
provide hard shoulder monitoring
provide cross-boundary control
set up remote terminals for training purposes
set up workgroups and users within control rooms or in separate satellite rooms
send travel data to commercial organisations

Advantages of the Second Generation CCTV System include:

allows access to CCTV images by a wide range of users
provides modern graphical user interface
viewing and control in adjacent Control Rooms
compatibility with NRTS transmission network
allows flexible Control Room arrangements
scalable with the ability to add new cameras easily after initial commissioning
makes transmission possible over longer distances and areas due to digital techniques