Metrology Driven Speed Monitoring for Safer Industrial Environments
Whether an industrial park, on the yard of a logistics centre, or along the perimeter of an airport, these areas do not follow standard traffic rules. At the same time, they are highly sensitive: vehicles often move near pedestrians, forklifts, or machinery. A moment of inattention, combined with excessive speed, can have serious consequences – from personal injury to production downtime and high costs. For safety reasons, vehicle movements on industrial and traffic sites are increasingly monitored automatically.
The British company Westcotec specialises in safety and surveillance solutions for industrial and traffic areas. It develops systems that intelligently link vehicle and personnel safety, helping businesses and municipalities to minimise risks. To meet these needs, Westcotec developed the Automatic Speed Watch Camera (ASWC), an automated system that combines speed measurement and vehicle identification. The system relies on the proven image processing technology of the German industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems, which provides high-resolution image data for reliable detection of vehicle speed and licence plates.
How The System Works – More Than Just Measuring
Combining radar, ANPR and industrial imaging, the system captures speed and vehicle data to support safer operations across sensitive environments.
“We repeatedly see that internal safety rules are not enough to prevent dangerous driving. Intelligent systems are needed that not only record data but actively contribute to changing behaviour,” explains Olly Samways, Sales Director at Westcotec. The Automatic Speed Watch Camera detects vehicles exceeding a defined speed limit and captures a high-resolution image. In addition to the licence plate, speed, date and time are recorded; Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) integration provides further details such as make, model, and colour. Processing is radar-assisted and uses ANPR matching to reliably identify vehicle data.
The information is then structured, making it easy to interpret, export, and use for analysis. Repeating offences can also be detected and serve as the basis for targeted measures to improve driving behaviour. Data can be accessed via Wi-Fi or USB, managed remotely through the Westconnect platform, or automatically delivered by email. Secure Digital (SD) card recording eliminates the need for a laptop to always remain connected.
Precision and Mobility Combined
The core of the ASWC is an IDS uEye LE industrial camera. This camera features a 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor from e2v, offering highlight sensitivity and excellent image quality. It is available in mono, colour, and NIR variants. The ability to switch between global shutter and rolling shutter modes during operation ensures that fast movements are captured reliably and the camera adapts to changing lighting conditions. Up to four individually definable Areas of Interest (AOIs) can be set to evaluate specific image regions and capture multiple features simultaneously.
“The IDS technology gives us the flexibility we need. We can switch between different shutter modes to ensure every image is usable, whether in daylight or at dusk,” emphasises Samways.
The ASWC is also compatible with USB3 and GigE Vision, providing fast and reliable data transfer. Large image files can be retrieved quickly, and the system maintains consistent performance even under high traffic. It can also be easily integrated into third-party systems for data analysis, alerting, or visualisation. This comprehensive hardware compatibility increases reliability, speeds up data handling, and allows seamless integration into modern digital site environments.
For more information: www.ids-imaging.com
