Cawood Swing Bridge Weight Restriction Monitoring System

Solution

Clearview Intelligence, who provided the original system, was approached by the Council to design a unique, sustainable replacement, utilising the latest camera and cloud based software, supported by an ongoing maintenance service. 3M were invited to collaborate on the provision of new ANPR cameras and software to integrate with data collected via Clearview’s M720 Vehicle Count Classifier.

The new system does not actually weigh vehicles, but instead is based on a ‘length of vehicle’ trigger threshold, as captured by the M720. Dual ANPR cameras are triggered following length classification, and images of offending vehicles are captured as they cross the bridge. All image capturing is overlaid with an accurate date and timestamp. The cameras transmit live data via ADSL modem to cloud servers which run ‘portal’ software.

The client can view each captured event and determine if the vehicle warrants further investigation. Those vehicles considered to be offending are exported to the necessary authority to check against DVLA records. The image system has NAAS certification (Home Office approved National ANPR standards) and ensures reliable prosecution of any offenders.

The complete system can be accessed remotely using the portal and VPN tunnel, enabling the support team to undertake daily health checks and preventative maintenance, and to respond instantly to any faults to ensure continued operation. As an added benefit to the client, all vehicles crossing the bridge are classified by the M720 and fed live to our Insight data intelligence platform.

This system enables the client to access all vehicle data from a personal account where they can view an array of graphical and tabular data reports including traffic flow, total count, class, speed, and peak traffic graphs. The client can review traffic flows across any user-defined period of time and this data provides essential intelligence for decisions relating to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of this historic structure.

The robustness of the system was put to the test just weeks after installation when the River Ouse flooded the bridge in December 2015. Despite the extensive water damage to infrastructure and buildings around the bridge, the system had been carefully installed above even the unprecedented flood level and, once the waters receded and the mains electricity supply was restored, the system was fully operational again.