TETRA  |  2011-12-06

Sepura improves worker safety in the tunnels of Grand Lyon

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

The main objective of this communications solution is the safety and protection of lone workers operating in tunnels.

Sepura and its established French partner Sysoco have joined forces in the delivery of a unique solution for the improvement of worker safety in the tunnels of Grand Lyon.

Sepura TETRA radios are an integral part of the communication solution that will be deployed in the tunnels of Croix Rousse, Fourvière, Vivier Merle and Brotteaux Servient and will operate on the TETRA infrastructure deployed by SYTRAL - the second-largest public transport authority in France - since 2007.

The main objective of this communications solution is the safety and protection of lone workers operating in tunnels. The new system will deliver a wide range of alarm and localisation functions for every single operative in the field which will directly alert supervisors and team leaders in the event of an emergency. In each tunnel, the TETRA infrastructure and Sepura radios will provide communication coverage in the traffic lanes, the ventilation shafts and all those areas designated to the access of specialised personnel. Technical and maintenance operatives will use SEPURA STP8000 hand-portable TETRA radios. Proven to perform in the most physically challenging environments, Sepura radios offer high standards of water and dust resistance and, thanks to their 1.8W RF power, extend coverage and deliver reliable communications. The STP hand-portables will include GPS and Man-Down functionalities to improve user safety and will deliver very clear audio even in the extremely noisy environment of busy tunnels.

The solution also includes Sysoco's DIGIProtect, a protection system for lone workers using TETRA terminals. DIGIProtect allows real time management and tracking of TETRA radio fleets equipped with Man-Down using an indoor localisation system consisting of radio beacons and outdoor localisation deployed via the radios' GPS receiver.  

There are 13 urban tunnels in the Grand Lyon region, their length ranges between 310 and 3,730 m (total length 12.5 km).  Daily traffic in these tunnels varies from 45,000 to 120,000 vehicles.  Grand Lyon has implemented a permanent surveillance solution to detect events and incidents and alert rescue teams in the fastest and most effective way.

Source: www.sepura.com