How Government Funding enables innovation in flood resilience

Radio Data Networks are currently working with Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire Council on a project to trial measures to help better respond and adapt to flood risks.

The project is one of those that received £6m of funding to be spent over 5-years under FCRIP, part of the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme

Smart Trash Screen Camera alongside 150W IR illuminator giving 300m optical range

As mentioned in their article that has been recently published on the Hertfordshire Local Government Radio Data Networks has been one of the key partners in the delivery programme, providing the real-time data feeds, smart cameras and flood gate position monitors for the project.

Amongst the deliverables provided are its range of portable gauging stations that have been configured to deliver data at 5-minute intervals from along the catchment, supported by fixed river gauging stations in stilling tubes. Additionally, the flood gates have been monitored too such that their movement can be monitored with changes in level, and finally inlet and outlet of the gates are monitored 24/7 using our latest in long range event triggered camera technology which includes night vision of up to 300m.

Ultimately the objective of the programme is to use the date to guide the introduction of NFM and SuDS to better control the catchment to reduce both the risk of flooding and pollution.
The camera in the picture includes an armour-plated skirt to reduce the risk of damage by vandals, plus to keep snow and rain off the lens. The unit allows for the connection of a single or several IR night illuminators, in this example a 150W unit is fitted giving a night vision range of up to 300m. Solar power is also available as is smart level triggering.