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Cleaning up access

Even cleaners need reliable access control management.

Translink is Northern Ireland’s public transport provider and one of the largest companies in Northern Ireland with a turnover in excess of £100m. Over 75 million passenger journeys are made on Translink services each year. In summer 2005 Translink’s new £11,4 million Belfast train cleaning facility was installed with DSC’s webEntry security system.

The 170-metre long, 30-metre wide and 10-metre high train facility was built by Translink to ensure that 23 new C3K trains purchased as part of its £80 million investment programme remain in first class condition. The prestigious train cleaning facility situated on Translink’s Fortwilliam railway site in Belfast, will allow 10 trains on a nightly/daily basis to undergo intensive cleaning.

webEntry was chosen for the facility due to its ease of use and ability to control up to 32 doors via a Web browser. As a Web-based access control system, webEntry allows full administration of system functions using any networked PC with Microsoft Internet Explorer browser installed.

For a low cost solution Translink opted for DCM 150 (door control modules), to interface third-party HID Proximity card readers to the webEntry system. Onsite workers can only gain access using a valid proximity card, ensuring the train wash is free from unauthorised access and threats of vandalism. Secure areas include the rail workshop, office and driver facilities, along with restricted access to the train wash area where expensive and specially designed train wash equipment is installed.

The system installers found the webEntry system easy to operate and install. Central to the facility design was the construction of a dedicated operations room where system administrators can view the entire site. Making use of webEntry features such as real time event display (RTED) all associated doors and gates throughout the facility are monitored and controlled.

RTED proved particularly useful for monitoring the 7 m-high electronic roller shutters that are opened automatically via sensors as trains approach the facility. As the shutters open RTED instantaneously alerts the Translink duty controller of shutter movements thereby signalling train arrival/departures.

Another feature that is ideal for the daily operation of the train facility is webEntry’s Oneshot feature. From the operator PC, and making use of CCTV surveillance, the user can remotely open external entry gates located just off the railway track. This simple Oneshot command enables contract engineers that have not been issued with permanent ID passes the ability to gain temporary access. The system also records the gate or door that has been opened using Oneshot for effective monitoring and reporting.

Using webEntry’s Time Zones feature the train wash facility, which is operational 24 hours a day, can set predefined time permission levels for cardholders. This ensures Translink can manage staff working patterns such as day/night shifts to ensure cardholders can only gain access during allocated times.

As investment at the signature Translink facility continues the webEntry system can be easily expanded to secure up to a maximum of 32 entry points or beyond using the CEM AC2000 system. If Translink’s requirements change over time the webEntry system can be easily upgraded to the CEM AC2000 system offering the possibility to add future Translink sites at a later stage.

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