One step ahead: in the sky and on the ground

Jarvis uses a wide range of passive and active technologies to keep a close watch on its customers’ assets. The Company works with customers, the authorities and civil and transport police, to address key issues from fighting crime to detecting potential faults and identifying technical issues before they turn into actual problems.

Airborne intelligence
Jarvis has pioneered the use of helicopters fitted with high-magnification, dual lens cameras, video equipment and thermal imaging technology to carry out proactive surveys of assets for its customers. This innovative approach enables the Company’s specialists to detect potential faults that cannot be identified by visual inspections. Jarvis rapid-response engineering teams can quickly rectify the faults: often before they escalate to cause serious delays.

Jarvis also works closely with the rail authorities and British Transport Police to maintain the safety and security of the rail network. The helicopter-based systems are used very successfully to monitor or respond to incidences of vandalism and trespass on the tracks.

Caught on camera
Following the successful introduction of helicopter-borne surveillance equipment, Jarvis has continued the fight against crime by developing a range of cost-effective close-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring systems. These are being used nationwide to protect property, railway and highway infrastructure, machines and equipment at vulnerable locations. Using the latest camera and digital recording technologies, Jarvis teams can provide both the transport and civil police with images of a sufficiently high quality that they can be used as evidence.

Working in partnership with Network Rail and the British Transport Police, Jarvis has installed cameras and recording systems at critical locations. Initially the focus has been on level crossings – the rail network's most problematic interface with the public. Solutions range from sub-miniature systems to high-profile deterrent installations complete with real-time video transmission to remote receiving stations. The CCTV installations can be linked to a central control point, and the use of motion detectors means one operator can monitor many sites.

Remote monitoring systems
Identifying potential technical problems quickly and alerting specialist engineering teams – ideally before the problem has any practical impact – is critical to proactive maintenance. Installing built-in telemetry equipment is key to this strategy. The Instead 64 data logger – developed by Jarvis’ specialist subsidiary Techspan Systems – has become the recognised rail industry first choice for monitoring safety-critical signalling and control circuits. Installed at many points across the network, the data logger provides vital information, round the clock.

Streetwise: creating a sophisticated view of the street scene
Jarvis’ recently-developed Streetwise system is being used to survey, monitor, record and accurately map the road network and supporting ‘street furniture’ (such as lights and road signs) in and around chosen road locations. The technology is a vital addition to Jarvis’ armoury, supporting the Company’s growing number of highways maintenance and ‘street scene’ contract, especially where they cover congested modern city streets.

A specially-equipped van tours the area to be mapped, using three synchronised high-resolution video cameras – filming in front, as well as to the left and right of the vehicle – in tandem with an on-board Global Positioning System (GPS). Back in the office, the video footage and GPS data are combined with Ordnance Survey or other similar mapping systems to create a sophisticated view of the street scene and the assets of interest, which is displayed on a PC screen alongside relevant data about those assets. This means the condition of the road surface, street furniture, signs, light columns, traffic signs and controls can all be viewed and seen in the context of the street scene: an essential aid to planning maintenance and upgrading of assets.

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Factfile

• Helicopters located at key strategic points for rapid response to incidents around the UK
• Wide range of real-time information and video systems linked to the Jarvis Control Centre
• Rapidly-expanding series of passive and interactive monitoring systems
• Using high-level technology such as thermal imaging to monitor transport infrastructure
• New Streetwise system provides sophisticated information to support highways and street scene management