Monitoring cables over the Rhine

Issue 1 2021 Surveillance

The Cologne Cable Car offers an unrivalled view of the Cologne Old Town and its cathedral. Riding in gondolas at a height of 30 metres above the ground, visitors enjoy a bird's eye view of Cologne, the Old Town, the river Rhine and the beautiful city environs. The Cologne Cable Car has featured as an established attraction of the city for over 60 years, and every year more than half a million passengers enjoy the 930 metre long aerial trip over the Rhine.

In order to ensure that the 44 cars reach the end stations in Riehl and Deutz safely from spring to autumn, the operators decided to install video security technology from Dallmeier.

The Cologne Cable Car project is the first undertaking in the world in which the patented Panomera camera technology is used to monitor a cable car carrying rope. In order to guarantee the passengers' safety at all times, the operators require rapid visual detection of possible technical problems, particularly in the structure of the carrying cable.

Carlos Castro, operations manager of Kölner Seilbahn, explains: "Besides the approach of the gondolas to the stations, we observe the way they run onto the pylons. Thirty metres up in the air, it is quite possible that a good gust of wind can set the cable and the pylons swinging. To enable early detection of incidents that cause the gondolas to approach the sensitive points out of alignment and to prevent technical problems, we decided to introduce video surveillance using Panomera camera technology."

Long distances, few installation points

The carrying rope is supported on a total of three pylons over the entire distance of just under 1 kilometre. The resulting distances between the stations and the pylons range in length from 100 metres up to 480 metres over the Rhine itself. Consequently, VTS Video Technik Systeme, which was responsible for setting up the operations, only had access to a few installation points, but at the same time, the specification in respect of imaging and resolution quality was extremely high.

Simply put, this meant that images must be recorded over very long distances, but at the same time, the image material must still be of extremely high quality. Together with the VTS, the operators of the Cologne Cable Car found the right solution in Panomera technology.

The Panomera multifocal sensor system was developed specifically to provide full area coverage over large spaces and long distances. The particular feature of the technology is that multiple sensors having different focal lengths are installed in a single housing and a special software program compiles a total image in high resolution.

In this way, huge distances and expanses can be captured with a uniform resolution raster over the entire area of interest in real time. Jürgen Vahlenkamp, managing director of VTS, explains in more detail: "This technical advantage gave us the decisive edge in view of the specified infrastructure. For video observation with the Panomera, we managed extremely well with the small number of installation points available. Thanks to the special lens and sensor concept, we do not fall below the specified resolution required, even in the more distant image areas.”

Complete control by the operator

The operator has full control over the entire situation over the entire length of the cables between the pylons, live and in high-resolution video images. In potential hazard situations, he/she can view details in a separate zoom image without losing sight of the overall action. In theory, any number of operators would be able to ‘take a close look’ at a wide range of image areas at the same time.

The wind that blows against the masts and cables 30 metres above the ground can cause them to start rocking, and poses certain challenges not only for the operation of the gondolas, but also for the installation of the cameras. To ensure that the camera systems – each weighing more than 10 kilograms – are not damaged or themselves become a hazard, the cameras were secured to the pylons using special plates. The lenses themselves are installed immovably inside the camera housing and are unaffected by any swinging motion.

In view of the special requirement of this project, the Dallmeier 3D planning team first simulated a digital twin of the entire surrounding area. With this approach, the manufacturer Dallmeier ensured that planning and real-life implementation match each other as closely as possible, and the customer benefits from the highest certainty regarding both the plan and the investment.


Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Drones and a hint of access control
Surveillance Products & Solutions
Drones are an indispensable tool for security operations, with more functionality and capabilities than ever. Securex Cape Town 2025 will naturally have drone service providers available to light the way for interested parties.

Read more...
Innovations in video management
Arteco Global Africa Surveillance
Visitors to Securex Cape Town this year will have the opportunity to experience Arteco’s latest innovations in video management and integrated security technology, including uSee VMS, Arteco’s hybrid-cloud video management platform.

Read more...
Human-centric control rooms
Iritron Integrated Solutions Surveillance Residential Estate (Industry)
Iritron and Oculus show that when it comes to control rooms, people, not just technology, are at the centre of the most significant performance differentiators today, not just how efficiently the technology works.

Read more...
Smarter security for safer estate living
neaMetrics Suprema Integrated Solutions Surveillance Access Control & Identity Management Residential Estate (Industry)
The expansion of residential estates has led to many communities being constructed with security as an afterthought. Unfortunately, fencing, cameras, and a guard at the gate only create a false sense of safety, which vanishes after the first incident.

Read more...
Secure, long-distance thermal from Keenfinity
Products & Solutions Surveillance Residential Estate (Industry)
The DINION thermal 8100i camera is a bullet thermal camera built for mission-critical applications, prioritising long-distance monitoring and reliable perimeter intrusion detection with built-in Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) Pro Perimeter video analytics.

Read more...
IVA AI Pro Visual Gun Detection
Products & Solutions Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
Bosch has announced the launch of the IVA AI Pro Visual Gun Detection analytics based on deep learning. It is designed for automatic detection and classification of people and brandished firearms.

Read more...
IP-based horn loudspeakers
Products & Solutions Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
Bosch has announced the launch of its new IP-based horn loudspeakers and amplifier module: the high-output LHN-UC15L-SIP horn (for long-throw applications), the compact LHN-UC15W-SIP horn (for wide-angle coverage) and the AMN-P15-SIP amplifier module.

Read more...
Identity, Security & Access Alliance focuses on intelligence and integration
SMART Security Solutions Ideco Biometrics BoomGate Systems Bosch Building Technologies Technews Publishing Integrated Solutions Surveillance Access Control & Identity Management
The Identity, Security & Access Alliance (ISAA) hosted several launch events in Johannesburg in August, showcasing the participating companies’ technical solutions with a primary focus on the solutions made possible by integrating high-quality systems to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Read more...
Make BIG and COMPLEX small and manageable
neaMetrics Suprema AI & Data Analytics Surveillance Integrated Solutions
Traditional CCTV and access systems often operate separately, creating gaps in visibility and efficiency. TRASSIR and Suprema have partnered to develop an integrated platform that improves security, operations, and situational awareness.

Read more...
Get the AI fundamentals right
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
Much of the marketing for CCTV AI detection implies the client can just drop the AI into their existing systems and operations, and they will be detecting all criminals and be far more efficient when doing it.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.