Page 79 - Security Today, July 2017

Thermal Enhancement Specialty technology now beginning routine in security solutions
BSy Dwight Dumpert
ecuring airports, seaports, railways, bridges and tun- nels is no easy task. One technology that transpor- tation agencies are increasingly relying on to secure these environments is thermal imaging.
In the past, some security practitioners viewed thermal imaging as a specialty technology, only used for specialty ap- plications. The reality is that thermal imaging is a robust, reliable, and interoperable technology that has become a security standard in today’s general surveillance, intrusion detection, and end-to-end pe- rimeter solutions. Thermal imaging cameras enhance security across many transportation domains, enabling the increased protection of
people and property all over the world.
Heat Signatures
Thermal imaging measures electromagnetic radiation, or invisible heat radiation emitted by all objects. Because thermal cameras pro- duce images based on heat signatures, they do not need light to pro- duce a clear picture. It is this unique ability that gives thermal imag- ing cameras an advantage over other surveillance cameras.
Thermal is particularly effective in low-light or no-light environ- ments. Visible cameras rely on reflected light to create images and show contrast, which is difficult at night in remote areas. This is not the case with thermal cameras, which generate video of people or objects in the scene in the darkest nighttime conditions.
A common misperception among security integrators and end users is that thermal imaging is applicable in only a few scenarios. The truth is thermal cameras are a powerful tool for around the clock surveillance as they can see through total darkness, camou- flaging foliage, smoke, dust, light fog and precipitation. Addition- ally, when thermal cameras have embedded video analytics, they serve as an all-in-one intrusion detection solution with very few false alarms.
There are several thermal camera options available in the mar- ket today designed to fit a variety of applications. Most commercial
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thermal security cameras use uncooled sensor technology. Uncooled thermal cameras are responsible for the rapid growth in security ap- plications. Cooled thermal cameras offer superior sensitivity, so they are ideal for viewing at great distances. Large sites such as airports, harbors and waterways which feature long distances may benefit from the deployment of at least some cooled cameras for alarm assessment and general surveillance. For applications that don’t require a high level of sensitivity for the thermal image, cameras with uncooled sen- sors are the best option.
A key benefit of thermal cameras is that when deployed in a well- designed installation, they provide cost-savings. Because of their su- perior detection range, enterprises can deploy fewer thermal cameras along a perimeter than if they were installing visible light cameras for the same coverage. Having fewer infrastructures saves both time and resources for the end user and integrator.
Additionally, the cost for thermal cameras has also gone down significantly over the last several years. In fact, the pricing for thermal cameras is now similar to that of visible cameras, which has led to an increase in deployment across all verticals, including transportation.
Deploying Thermal Imaging
In general, a greater number of transportation-related projects are incorporating thermal solutions at some level today, and adoption is growing at a much faster rate than previously. There is greater aware- ness that thermal provides significant benefits in a wide range of en- vironments, especially in the airport domain, which tends to feature large areas to monitor and extensive fence lines that need tight secu- rity. Plus, in bridge applications, where there may be no fences but open areas that require general surveillance, thermal is ideal due to its 24/7 observation capabilities. Here’s a look at how thermal enhances situational awareness and provides invaluable monitoring for trans- portation applications.
Seaports. With an influx of commercial trade vessels, situation awareness is critical for seaports for safety and security. By deploying
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