Considerations When Buying UVSS Equipment
Subject: Information and Points of Consideration BEFORE Buying a UVSS
1. General.
1.1 There are two basic types of UVSS' offered for sale; the non-computer based, and the computer based systems.
1.2 [The] non-computer based system seems to be the system of choice because it is cost effective, user-friendly requiring minimum training, relatively easy to install and maintain. This system is equipped with cameras that are generally mounted above the road surface. It may be operated with either color or monochrome cameras (the computer-based system is typically supported with monochrome cameras). The non-computer based system requires minimal or no training because it is as easy as operating a home VCR system.
1.3 [The] computer-based system requires comprehensive operator training and often also system administrator training, resulting in excessively high training costs depending on the number of employees being trained. Adding to this situation is the recurring employee (operator) turnover rate as soldiers and airmen move from one assignment to another. Not to forget is the amount of time personnel spent away from their routine daily duties to attend such training. Below is a more in-depth system description for the two systems in question.
2. Particulars - System Descriptions.
2.1 Non-computer based Color Camera system mounted on road surface.
Several analog color cameras mounted in the ramp (UVSS) that is installed on the road surface. Vehicles drive over the ramp and the cameras transmit life video images of the vehicle's undercarriage over a cable to a remote monitoring station. The camera images can be viewed and recorded on videocassette tape recorder or digital video recorder. Most vehicles are undercoated now in a grayish color. Color cameras assist the operator in identifying foreign objects attached to the undercarriage that on a non- color (black-and-white) camera is difficult to distinguish from the grayish undercoating. Pros (+) and cons (-) are as follows:
+ Price
+ Minimum training time
+ Simple to install
+ Simple to repair
+ Simple to maintain
+ Device containing cameras also acts as a speed calmer
+ Portable systems available
+ No computer
+ Robust
+ Above surface and no drains or pumps required
+ Color cameras
- Vehicle speed has to be kept to a minimum when driving over the cameras, the slower the speed the better the video quality
- Vehicles that have been lowered may strike the device containing the cameras causing damage to the UVSS, vehicle driving over it, or both.
2.2 Non-computer based Monochrome Camera system mounted on road surface:
Several analog monochrome cameras mounted in the ramp (UVSS) that is installed on the road surface. Vehicles drive over the device and the cameras transmit life video images of the vehicle's undercarriage over a cable to a remote monitoring station. The camera images can be viewed and recorded on videocassette tape recorder or digital video recorder. Pros (+) and cons (-) are as follows:
+ Price
+ Minimum training time
+ Simple to install
+ Simple to repair
+ Simple to maintain
+ Device containing cameras also acts as a speed calmer
+ Portable systems available
+ No computer
+ Robust
+ Above surface no drains or pumps required
- Vehicle speed has to be kept to a minimum when driving over the cameras, the slower the speed the better the video quality
- Vehicles that have been lowered may strike the device containing the cameras causing damage to the UVSS, vehicle driving over it, or both.
- Most vehicles are undercoated leaving a grayish tone. Color cameras help assist the operator in identifying foreign objects attached to the undercarriage (those that do not blend with the under coating color). Objects are not noticeable with black and white cameras.
2.3 Computer-based system with Digital or Line Scan Camera system mounted in the road surface:
A single line scan or digital camera is installed in an enclosure below the surface of the road. Mirrors may be used to help extent the viewing angle of the single camera. Additional equipment may need to be installed on or around the road surface prior to the camera's location to determine the speed of the camera. As a vehicle drives over the enclosure containing the line scan camera, digital data containing images of the vehicle's undercarriage is transmitted over a cable to a computer located at a remote monitoring station. Once the data is received the computer processes and compiles the data resulting in a monochrome image of the undercarriage of the vehicle. The data and image can be recorded on the computer's hard drive. Operator and administrator computer training is required for this system. An Operator needs frequent brakes due to poor image quality they have to view and the fact it is all monochrome. Since the system is sub- surface, water drain pumps are required as well as frequent cleaning of both the camera and drain system. Pros (+) and cons (-) are as follows:
+ Vehicles can travel up to 10-15 KM over the camera
+ Sub surface system
- Very expensive in acquisition
- Operator training a must
- Administrator required for computer system (passwords, backups, etc.
- High installation costs
- Difficult to repair
- Requires frequent maintenance
- Normally not portable due to size of line scan camera and mirror system
- Computer system required
- Below surface, drains or pumps required
- Monochrome
- Image quality
3. Things to consider when purchasing a UVSS
3.1 Cameras in a UVSS should have a scratch resistance lens.
A scratchproof lens prevents scratching the camera lens when a vehicle tire drives over, or spins on it. A spinning tire, or often just the tire coming in contact with a normal camera lens will scratch it enough in just a few hours of it's use rendering it useless and needing it replaced. This happens even quicker if the tire has dirt or sand on it, or in winter months when salt is used on the road surface. Some manufacturers of UVSS' state their cameras have scratch proof lenses, but what more often than not they fail to mention is that their scratch proof lens cameras are located behind another piece of glass or plastic that is not scratch proof. This layer of glass or plastic protects the camera or makes the housing of the camera waterproof. The result is that it requires frequent maintenance and unnecessary man-hours to exchange this parts when scratched.
Lenses on COMMPORT UVSS cameras not installed in or behind a glass or plastic protective barriers, instead are in the open and therefore ensure clear video images, and require no maintenance to replace scratched parts. The camera is also installed in a manner that under normal operation prevents the tire of the vehicle from driving on it.
3.2 Cameras should be true underwater vice waterproof [only]:
Using cameras built into a waterproof type housing often result in condensation buildup inside the camera housing and thereby preventing the camera from being able to view outside, as it should. The camera has to be turned on for about two hours to heat the inside of the container to help dissolve condensation from the window. This also causes watermarks to form on the inside of the window, which reduces the video images and requires frequent cleaning.
COMMPORT use true underwater cameras rated for a depth of up to 250 meters. The cameras are sealed allowing no condensation buildup inside the camera and are completely exposed and not inside of a waterproof housing eliminating an additional window for condensation to form on.
3.3 Cameras should work in under all conditions, be it heavy rain or snowfall without the need for the operator to remove water or snow from the camera's lens. A chief reason for a customer to buy a UVSS is to reduce manpower necessary for a detailed inspection of a vehicle's undercarriage. Clearly if an employee is required to frequently clear camera lenses in heavy rain or snow to wipe clean the lens, it defeats the purpose of reducing manpower. While some UVSS systems use air to blow water and snow off the camera lenses, others require the operator to clean the camera lenses with a pole and rubber strip. In most systems cameras are recessed in their housing or below surface, which literally invites the accumulation of water and debris that blocks or distorts expected clear video images.
Cameras used in COMMPORT UVSS systems are rounded in the lens area and are angled to prevent any accumulation of water. What is more, they operate at about 40° Celsius, which instantly vaporizes rain drops and immediately melt and snow flakes.
3.4 The housing device mounted on the road surface containing the cameras should be able to endure the weight of a 48-ton truck driving over it.
Though this is a requirement of most UVSS systems, reading the "fine print" in the instruction manuals one will find that most UVSS's cannot stand up to this weight for such a heavy vehicle to actually driver over atop the camera or lighting area. That means a driver of a heavy vehicle must carefully maneuver the vehicle over the inspection area in a manner to keep extreme weight off the cameras and lighting areas. Unless a heavy duty lane divider is used to guide heavy vehicles over an inspection area, in time a truck is bound to drive over the camera and lighting area, probably causing enough damage to destroy the system.
COMMPORT UVSS's are built to stand up to a 48-ton weight at any point on the inspection ramp, to include directly over the camera. 3.5 Ensure portable UVSS systems were meant to be just that: portable.
There are manufacturers that offer portable UVSS systems, but most of these systems are actually modified permanent systems. Such systems are readily identified for their lack of any cable protection normally standard for portable systems. Even if the cable that connects the cameras to the remote monitoring station is constructed of military grade, industrial cable or any other cable, fact is, the cable is likely to become damaged when driven over by a 40-ton truck, hundred of times each month.
Prior to 9/11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, COMMPORT exclusively manufactured portable UVSS systems. After 9/11 the U.S. Air Force deployed the portable UVSS on a more permanent basis, which gave impetus for COMMPORT to design and manufacture permanent systems. During this process it quickly became clear that the cable between the inspection ramp and the remote monitoring station was it's weakest point in the system, because when damaged resulted in complete system failure. The COMMPORT UVSS systems come with solid cable protection systems.
3.6 Attaching an Inspection Ramp to the Road Surface.
Properly attaching a UVSS to the surface of a road may sound simple, but it is not. Most UVSS manufacturers will attach the device to the road surface using some type of anchor and bolt. In hot climates asphalt roads are soft and
become pliable. Anchoring a UVSS system under these conditions will work for a while, but to be sure, sooner than later the stress of several hundred 40-ton trucks hitting the inspection ramp every week will loosen the device from its anchor.
COMMPORT technology firmly rests a part of the UVSS frame inside of a specially cutout piece of roadway, which prevents the system from moving and distributes and shares the stresses on the systems with the road's surface.
3.7 Installation and Support.
A UVSS system that is improperly installed lends itself to more "down time" as opposed to useful operation time. The customer will find himself spending hours trying to located and summon a technician from the manufacturer to come to the site and repair the system and charging high repair costs. It follows that proper installation of a UVSS Inspection Ramp and Cable will save the customer both money, time and "down time."
To that end, COMMPORT offers full installation support and maintenance services within the European Union, USA, United Kingdom, Middle eastern Countries, India and other countries in south east Asia. COMMPORT also offer a full line of UVSS options, including but not limited to: Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems (ANPR), Area Surveillance (AS) cameras for viewing the topside of vehicles, and portable cameras on poles for searching inside vehicles and crevasses in the engine compartment or trunk.