Software Protects Waterway Infrastructure
Automated wide-area surveillance software has been implemented to protect U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dam facilities and assets along the Savannah River, near Clemson, S.C.
USACE adopted the technology to address and counteract potential threats to the facility, including terrorism, trespassing, theft, and vandalism. Remote Technologies of Savannah, Ga. is the security integrator for the project.
VistaScape SiteIQ from Atlanta-based VistaScape Security Systems provides a graphical bird’s eye view of Savannah River property, which covers approximately 50 sq miles. The software detects, tracks, and classifies objects in real time on the screen. If an object violates a policy set by USACE, the software streams live video of the alarm event to the display and can also send wireless alerts to law enforcement personnel.
Before the security upgrade, USACE performed a rigorous review of security at the facility, based on The Risk Assessment Methodology for Dams (RAM-DSM). Developed by Sandia National Laboratories and adapted from processes used to safeguard nuclear materials, RAM-D identifies effective means of countering the potential threat to the security of our nation’s more than 75,000 dams.
“Our staff maintains a number of different facilities in the area, so from a manpower efficiency standpoint it was important that this system be automated and minimize false positives,” said a spokesperson for the Savannah District, USACE. “SiteIQ now enables us to remotely manage security at the facility, reducing the number of extraneous trips that USACE employees and local police must take to the site in response to non-events.”
USACE evaluated a number of approaches and competing technologies for the project. In addition to its cost benefits over fencing the entire area, SiteIQ is a non-obtrusive solution that allows public access to recreation areas. The software streams video only on demand or on a policy exception, such as if a person or object attempts to enter a restricted area. SiteIQ also provides a platform for future growth at the facility, with the ability to incorporate access control, smart fences, and other sensor technologies.
