Using intelligent cameras for traffic management and improved pedestrian safety in a popular tourist location

Ericeira, a seaside town on the western coast of Portugal, is a popular tourist destination and is known as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe. It has a population of just over 10,000 citizens with this increasing during the busy summer season.

The Municipal Council of Mafra, the local government body overseeing the region, recognised that the increase in traffic during the summer months needed greater monitoring and control to reduce congestion and the risk of accidents.

Improving traffic and pedestrian flow

A national road, 247, is the main through route for the town and, therefore, is priority for an intelligent traffic management system. At marked crossings where traffic will stop for pedestrians, congestion was particularly acute. The council wanted a solution that would prevent static, inefficient traffic and could adapt to dynamic changes in vehicle and pedestrian flow.

Local installer Soltrafego undertook a detailed technical study that identified the need for intelligent video surveillance and traffic analysis. Hanwha Vision was chosen due to its effective and robust cameras.

Monitoring congestion

Cameras were installed at signal-controlled intersections, with four QNO-C8083R AI cameras installed per intersection. Two were positioned to monitor traffic in both directions, and the other two covered pedestrian areas. Entry and exit zones were set up to monitor vehicle flow, counting the number of vehicles and sending this volume data to traffic light controllers. Traffic light red and green intervals would be automatically adjusted according to detected traffic density.

Two virtual zones on each side of the pedestrian crossings were set up on the other two cameras to monitor the number of people waiting in those areas. When the number of people reaches a pre-defined threshold, the pedestrian green light is triggered, and traffic is stopped to prevent overcrowding at the waiting area and ensure a safe crossing for pedestrians.

A boosted traffic and pedestrian experience

Thanks to the implemented intelligent traffic solution, vehicle and pedestrian movements in Ericeira have improved, especially during the summer months. Optimised traffic light timing based on real-time, dynamic data from the QNO-C8083R cameras avoids unnecessary delays and lowers the risk of accidents at the crossing points where the cameras are installed.

Automating traffic light and pedestrian crossing controls improves operator efficiency and meets actual demand without manual input. The cameras were installed within existing infrastructure, requiring no extensive construction or physical alterations.

The data collected by the cameras can be used to inform future town improvements, and the installation has become a pilot model for other towns in the area that are facing similar challenges.