Indra will implement an integrated access control and security system in the Panama Canal

The Spanish technology multinational Indra A contract has been awarded to implement an integrated access control and security system within the framework of the Panama Canal expansion project. The integrated control and security system will be equipped with the latest technologies and will include building access control, control vehicular, perimeter alarm, Building intrusion detection and video monitoring and recording system, for the locks on the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the Canal, as well as for associated buildings.

Using cutting-edge technology, Indra's access control solution will make possible the centralized management of the credentials of more than 10.000 employees of the Panama Canal Authority and its contractors, as well as access to 70 buildings that will allow the control and operation of the third set of locks. The system, endowed with more than 400 access control readers, will adapt security levels both for areas of common use by Canal professionals and for other very restricted areas., combining the use of individualized access cards with high-security cutting-edge technology based on biometric credentials.

Video surveillance and video recording systems, with more than 350 cameras, They will be intended to guarantee the safety of the facilities and to supervise lock operations and ship transit.. These systems can be managed from control centers and will be integrated with perimeter detection and intrusion detection systems., endowed with more than 4.500 motion detectors, glass breakage, magnetic contacts or vibration.

Traffic control in facilities and gates

The function of the vehicle control system is to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the premises., control internal traffic within the facilities and through the Canal gates, signal whether people are allowed or not to pass through the gates, as well as prevent acts of sabotage in the most sensitive areas of the Canal. This system is of great importance, since one of the new features of the new expanded Canal is that vehicles will be able to circulate through two of the eight gates when they are closed and pedestrians will be able to pass through all of them..

Vehicle control will be carried out using traffic lights, arm barriers and some new barriers (road blockers), high security and technology devices 100% spanish, similar to automatic bollards found in some cities, but with a safety coverage of about three meters wide and with the capacity to stop vehicles weighing several tons at a speed greater than 60 km/hour. This technology will prevent acts of sabotage and prevent authorized vehicles from falling into the gates..

Indra will also implement a ship detection system, whose mission is to identify any floating object within the operational area of ​​the lock chambers to avoid accidental closing of the gates if a ship or any other object is in their path., thus increasing the security of the closing operation.