New high definition surveillance cameras have been deployed at 12 major traffic intersections within the city for enhanced surveillance and to detect road rule violations and other offences more effectively.
Installed a few days ago, the hi-tech internet protocol cameras are a replacement for the existing analogue “pan tilt zoom” cameras that were put up in 2010 at the 12 traffic junctions under the state-of-the-art Traffic Regulatory Management System (TRMS).
The striking feature of the high definition PTZ (pan tilt and zoom) cameras is that they can zoom up to 1.6 km in all directions giving a clear image of the zoomed spot, including the vehicle registration number.
The camera can record up to 60 frames per second high definition video during day and night which would be useful for the law enforcers while dealing with major events such as processions and VVIP convoy movement.
The new cameras are linked through Wi Fi network with the modern police control room from where live video of traffic movements are monitored through plasma monitors.
Installed at a cost of Rs. 1.80 lakh each, the advanced dome cameras have been deployed at traffic intersections, including Aristo roundabout, railway junction, MGR statue, Head post office, Mambazhasalai, central bus stand, and Gandhi Market arch besides the N.S.B. Road.
The cameras are equipped with in-built heater radiation mechanism that would automatically clear the mist engulfing the glass especially during monsoon season.
The picture and video clarity from the high definition PTZ cameras are far more superior to the analogue cameras which were in existence over the last four years, says an official of the Chennai-based Purple Infotech Ltd which was awarded the contract to put in place the TRMS in Tiruchi and maintain the system.
This is for the first time that high definition PTZ cameras have been deployed both for traffic regulation and crime control, the official added.
Each camera is equipped with an in-built memory chip that could store up to 1,000 pictures.
The State government had provided Rs. 2.98 crore for the implementation of the TRMS under which Automatic Number Plate Reader cameras have been installed at eight check posts on the city’s border and at eight traffic signals.
Ever since the TRMS system was commissioned in April 2010, the police have booked over 4.74 lakh traffic cases against rule violators and collected a little over Rs. 6 crore as fine.