Video cameras are required to monitor the level of the local waters at strategically important locations. The areas of overflow spillways (dykes) and flood buildings (driftwood grills, delay basins) should be provided with a reliable solution that runs stably under extreme external conditions and that can be operated intuitively. Another important criterion was the gradation of the rights of use. The access to the system’s images should be granted to numerous employees to ensure 24/7 surveillance, while operation and configuration (e.g. an export of the recordings) should only be available to selected members of staff. To protect the privacy rights of randomly recorded people passing by, the cantonal operator required differentiated authorisation groups. Since no security system had been in use for the early warning of floods before, an external office was entrusted with a conspectus of the requirements on the implementation in 2011. The demands of the engineering office R. Stöckli AG from Zurich were subsequently locally implemented by ParCom Systems. On their recommendation, the client chose the software solution of Germany based Seetec AG.

The modular system concept of the Seetec Multi Solution Platform provides numerous options and features that meet the customers’ individual wishes. Thus, the user is provided with a variety of clients that can optionally be activated or deactivated. In addition, external systems such as burglar alarm systems, intercoms or lighting systems can be operated directly on the Seetec surface via I/O modules.

In the outdoor area, video cameras by the company Axis Communications are in use at 13 locations along river beds. Specifically designed for outdoor use, the cameras are equipped with a robust housing and thus provide clear images even under extreme conditions.

The cameras keep an eye on strategically selected points so that a rise of the water level can be detected and reported immediately. The central control station of the system is located at the Civil Engineering Office in Altdorf, the canton’s main office. The staff here has full access to the installed cameras and is able to configure and control them. 30 working stations are available to the administration. In total, more than 40 users, also including external emergency organisations such as local fire brigades, have access to the live images. What is of crucial importance for the cantonal administration is the finely graduated and flexible assignment of user rights in the client. Thus, external users defined previously are able to sight camera recordings, but cannot export them or change system settings.

“The different user rights and the software’s user interface, which can be operated intuitively, allow for easy handling. Within a very short period of time, the required basic knowledge was imparted so that the performance of hardware and software is paramount”, said Mirco Stadelmann, Project Manager at the partner Parcom Systems.

In addition to the surveillance cameras, a fixed lighting system, which is connected with the Seetec system via internet by means of an I/O module and a UTMS router, was installed at each site. The Seetec software thus allows the staff to operate the lighting remotely. Thereby, in case of poor visibility conditions or at night, the light at any camera location can be activated remotely to be able to recognise emergencies at an early stage. The plan of site displayed in the software contains the locations of the used hardware and visualises the current status of the lighting (on or off ) via integrated lamp icons.

Furthermore, Seetec Anywhere is integrated in the visualisation platform by the manufacturer Citrix so that authorised employees are also able to connect remotely to the video system via their usual device. This removes the need for pre-installation of Seetec software at each individual work station. This solution represents a simplification for practical use in everyday life.

Fritz Epp, Head of the Water Maintenance Department at the management of the canton Uri, is extremely satisfied with the result: “The installed solution represents a huge decrease in workload and effort. Dangers can be detected early and preventive measures for the protection of entire villages and communities can be taken. We do not have to check on site if everything is in order all the time, but can easily view the situation from the control station.”

Until now, several small floods have already been detected and dammed up early. For the future, an extension of the number of cameras is planned so that unpleasant surprises can be prevented as far as possible.