Intelligent IP cameras help to monitor the flow of people at London Bridge Station
How to quickly identify potential incidents and areas of congestion with IP cameras at the London Bridge Station?
Over 48 million people, more than the population of Spain, visit the recently upgraded London Bridge Station every year. Already the fourth busiest train station in the UK, this figure is set to increase - especially as a result of the Thameslink infrastructure improvement programme, which according to Network Rail increased station capacity by more than 50 percent.
Finished in 2018, the project was the biggest railway upgrade since Victorian times, and included a comprehensive rebuild of platforms, new track infrastructure, an improved concourse, better signalling and more. And, through the multi-billion pound scheme, the location is now home to around 900 of Bosch latest connected cameras, all fully integrated into the highly-sophisticated station management system.
Beneath the glitz of the new public areas, the intelligent network of the cameras discretely monitor the flow of people twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The cameras allow security operatives to quickly identify potential incidents and areas of congestion. All of the video and data feeds are securely transmitted to a control room located at the heart of the station – giving Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) the ability to monitor and control any camera throughout the building.
Whether it be controlling the crowds, or dealing with something more untoward, the London Bridge system has been designed to provide maximum coverage and flexibility. In addition, the system is also securely connected to BTP’s Ebury Bridge facility – the security nerve centre for all of London.
“The project was a huge undertaking, especially as we had to contend with the dozens of other contractors and passengers that were on-site. ”
“For us, the London Bridge project was an immense challenge. The existing analogue system had to be kept running whilst the new digital solution was installed. We also had to ensure that our system was fully integrated into the numerous other third-party platforms located both on- and off-site,” adds Lindsay Brennwald, London Bridge project lead at Bosch UK. “Our daily discussions and weekly meetings with Network Rail’s project partners continued for more than four years.”
Planners from Bosch needed to accommodate for the complex architecture on site – a mix of new construction and historic remodels. The result is a scalable security network that covers the most safety critical parts of the station, including ticket barriers and platforms. For the duration of the construction work, London Bridge, one of the oldest stations in the world - never closed its doors to the numerous commuters and tourists crowding its platforms on a daily basis.
Alongside the London Bridge project, Bosch is currently working with other British transport partners such as Transport for London. Major investments and upgrades have been completed at other stations, including London Waterloo, and are underway on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link network – which will all see Bosch IP camera systems introduced across their facilities.
“The project was a major one for us. It has proven to be an important reference point for our upcoming projects with Network Rail. We are proud to be part of one of London’s transport network’s greatest assets,”
