The connecting link to the traffic center

The Blankenburg connection between Vlaardingen and Rozenburg is an undeniably strong piece of civil and marine engineering. In addition to the structural engineering challenges, construction consortium BAAK had to look for a partner who could realize the audio and video systems as the connecting link between road users and the central traffic control of the Department of Public Works. This is how they ended up with Hacousto Protec, responsible for the design and delivery of the integrated video, audio and communication systems.

When the new A24 Blankenburg connection opens to traffic in 2024, the Department of Public Works will operate and monitor the tunnels from Traffic Control Center Rhoon. "After BAAK completed the Definitive Design (DO), the market was asked to submit a bid for the integrated video, audio and communication systems," says Alex Angenent, project manager at Hacousto Protec. "With proven technology, project deliverables based on systems engineering and a good price, we came out on top. Working closely with BAAK's design team, we jointly arrived at the Implementation Design (UO)." 

Having a say in the design

The Blankenburg connection is also a unique project for Hacousto Protec given the combination of a land tunnel, freeway and immersion tunnel. "Because we were involved in the project at an early stage, we were able to have a say in the final design," says Raimond van der Hoek, contract manager at Hacousto Protec. "Based on the functional requirements of the National Tunnel Standard for operation and management, links were made between the audio and video systems on the one hand, and the so-called 3B control functions and the traffic control center on the other. The complete Logical Function Fulfillers (LFVs) for broadcasting, CCTV, VIS, intercom and telephony are designed, supplied, tested and delivered by us."

Safety Standard National Tunnel Standard

"In the event of a calamity, incident or stoppage in the tunnels and on the route, the emergency plan and emergency services need to be able to be deployed immediately, especially when every second counts," says Richard de Nijs, head of the business office at Hacousto Protec. "The cameras can be monitored both locally and at the traffic control center. The intercom system in the tunnels consists of emergency telephones at each aid station and intercoms at traffic passages. This allows road users to quickly contact the traffic control center in the event of an emergency. If necessary, the public address system allows the traffic control center to quickly and specifically send spoken messages and instructions to road users in the tunnels and on the approaches." Van der Hoek adds: "Our special loudspeakers guarantee high sound quality and speech intelligibility. For internal communication, we are realizing a telephone system so that the (technical) staff can communicate with each other and with the traffic center." 

Managing and minimizing design risks.

As early as the design phase, Hacousto Protec set up a test system to test the interfaces with subsystems with respect to control and operation of the installations in order to manage and minimize design risks. This anticipates full integration testing in BAAK's iFAT test environment. BAAK handles the assembly of all components itself in accordance with the design and our assembly instructions. Then in 2023, Hacousto Protec comes back into the picture for commissioning, SAT testing and final reporting.