Indra to implement integrated access control and security system in 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 access control to buildings, Vehicle Control, Perimeter alarm, Building intrusion detection and video and recording control system, for the locks on the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the Canal, as well as for associated buildings.

Through state-of-the-art technology, Indra's access control solution will make it possible to centrally manage the credentials of more than 10.000 employees of the Panama Canal Authority and its contractors, as well as the accesses to the 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, 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 state-of-the-art high-security technology based on biometric credentials.

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

Traffic control in facilities and gates

The vehicle control system has the function of preventing the entry of unauthorized vehicles into the enclosure, control internal traffic within the facilities and through the Canal gates, Signal the allowed or not passage of people through the gates, as well as preventing acts of sabotage in the most sensitive areas of the Canal. This system is of great importance, since one of the novelties 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.

The control of vehicles will be carried out by means of traffic lights, Arm barriers and innovative barriers (Road Blockers), High security and technological devices 100% Spaniard, Similar to the automatic bollards found in some cities, but with a safety coverage of about three meters wide and with the capacity to stop vehicles of several tons at a speed greater than 60 Km/hour. This technology will prevent acts of sabotage and prevent the fall of authorized vehicles into the gates.

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

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