Advanced surveillance grabs interest of DoT

The Transportation Department is investigating advanced surveillance technologies for possible use on the nation's bridges and tunnels, according to a Aug. 18 FedBizOpps posting of a contract win.

The analysis contract, worth approximately $169,000, was awarded to Fulcrum Corp., Fairfax, Va., by the Treasury Department. The consulting firm will deliver a report and technical summary on the effectiveness of various surveillance technologies.

At present, 59 percent of state level transportation agencies and other private bridge owners, such as railroads, have some form of surveillance on their bridges, according to a survey jointly carried out by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Transportation Review Board.

"In order to better secure our structures, this number needs to be increased, and the type of surveillance technologies upgraded," the statement of work read.

The transportation agency wants to provide to these operators more information about video surveillance and other security options.

The states are "overwhelmed by new technologies available for implementation, but lack the appropriate guidelines for choosing the technologies that will effectively secure bridges and tunnels against terrorism," the statement of work read.

The agency tasked Fulcrum to report on new technologies in closed-circuit cameras, electronic detection and monitoring devices, tracking devices and alarm systems. The company will evaluate them on cost, effectiveness, design and applicability.

The statement of work said the technologies and surveillance the study identified "should assist the states in decision making and provide guidelines to determine the benefits of new technologies with the ultimate goal to improve existing level of security."

Fulcrum also will assess how to use these technologies for other purposes, such as traffic management, bridge condition and hazardous material transport monitoring.