Fault-free detection of boats in water-locks. Specifically adapted algorithm to ensure/guarantee detection of boat presence in water-locks. Avoid accidents with remotely operated water-locks. Challenging circumstances due to turmoil, waves, foam and dirt.

1. Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

2. Video analysis – the eyes of the operator
FACT:
Multiple incidents have occured where a boat or barge was damaged due to
incorrect or incorrectly timed operation of a water lock
SOLUTION:
ACIC has developed a solution with video analysis that guarantees faultless
detection of a boat in the water lock (full presence + no motion)
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

3. What incidents occur?
A study of the safety of water locks in the Netherlands, performed by consultancy
agence Mijnsen, showed a weakness in the security of remote controled water
locks.
Two incidents were only just avoided in the Beatrix water lock in Utrecht.
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

4. Acic solution
ACIC has developed a video analysis solution to detect boats
maneuvering in the water locks:
• Robust solution
• Limited cost
• Very high detection rate
• Very little false alarms
• Re-use of existing video infrastructure
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

5. Advantages of the solution
1. Helping the operator who maneuveres «blind» in the
decision of opening/closing water lock doors
2.Allowing centralized control of multiple water locks by
automating certain tasks
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

6. Tests performed in the Netherlands
Problems solved:
• Waves and foam on the water causing false alarms
• Movement of the doors in the field of view/detection
• Boats being stationary during a long period of time within the field of
view/detection
• Management and control of very long barges
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

7. Practical results
Between 1st and 12th of March 2010, from 6AM to 11PM a total of 172 manoeuvres are
performed – system correctly registers 172 detections and 0 false alarms
 172 detections
Dates Nombre de bateaux
 No false alarms
01/03/10 11
02/03/10 11
03/03/10 15
04/03/10 10
05/03/10 14
06/03/10 1
07/03/10 0
08/03/10 26
09/03/10 14
10/03/10 26
11/03/10 22
12/03/10 22
Total 172

8. Requirements
• Minimum 2 cameras with d>=3m
• Video signal in PAL resolution 720x576p
• Frame rate >= 6 images/second
• Good video quality (contrast & sharpness)
in all circumstances (day/night)
• Complete view of the water lock – front and
back of the boat must be within the field of
view of the camera
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks

9. Questions?
Miguel Sabbe – Business Development
E sabbe@acic.eu M +32 479 61 98 65
Fabrice Foucart – Sales Director
E foucart@acic.eu M +32 497 48 99 63
Jean-Francois Delaigle – Managing Director
E delaigle@acic.eu M +32 484 15 95 65
Remote Control & Security in Water Locks