To help provide peace of mind for workers on its sites, the HS2 development has implemented innovative Temperature Screening Units. These are contact-free, using thermal imaging technology to screen workers.
The technology was designed and implemented by technology specialists Beacon Detection and Select Site Solutions, with dedicated routers for standalone connectivity provided by CSL.
The HS2 project is a major development by anyone’s standards: a new high-speed railway linking up London, the Midlands, and the North. When complete, the high-speed rail project will service 8 of Britain’s 10 largest cities.
As expected with a project of this scale, there’s a colossal amount of work to be done. Phase 1 of the HS2 project alone includes 134 miles of dedicated track between London and Birmingham, passing through 31 miles of tunnels and over 10 miles of viaducts. It’s an enormous endeavour over multiple simultaneous sites, employing thousands both directly and as contractors.
Like others in the construction industry, HS2 Ltd was keen to find the best ways to ensure work on Phase 1 could continue safely during the coronavirus crisis. A top priority was ensuring the protection and peace of mind of all employees, contractors and others accessing work sites, which are run by Laing O’Rourke and Murphy Group Joint Ventures.
A new thermal imaging-based solution for HS2 from Beacon Detection
As luck would have it, security specialists Beacon Detection were already demonstrating a thermal imaging-based temperature screening solution to a nationwide gas company on a site near HS2’s Birmingham Interchange. Site and area managers from HS2 were invited along to take a look.
“They were impressed,” says Beacon Director Dan Thain. “They liked what they saw so much that they invited us to another of their sites to demonstrate the system to more of the HS2 project management team.”