One of the UK’s leading providers of video-based intelligent traffic enforcement and management systems, Videalert, has been acquired by Marston Holdings, the UK’s largest transportation and enforcement services group.
The announcement follows successful deployments for a number of Marston’s strategic clients, including the London Borough of Barnet, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the City of Westminster, where Videalert has replaced competitive CCTV enforcement systems.
These contract wins are the result of Videalert’s sophisticated video data platform, combined with high-quality field equipment and hosting infrastructure, which has been proved to deliver capture rates from 10-32% higher than comparative systems.
The platform generates high-quality evidence that is not only faster to review, but also reduces the likelihood of appeals. With system availability rates exceeding 99%, the platform delivers the highest productivity and the lowest operating costs, enforcing the widest range of parking and moving traffic contraventions. It can also support traffic management, police ALPR, clean air and low emission zones.
“We are delighted to become a key part of Marston Holdings, as it will enable us to accelerate our development strategy and fully exploit the growth potential for our products and services within the parking and intelligent transport sectors,” commented Videalert’s CEO, David Richmond. “Our rapidly expanding client base will not only see further developments from Videalert, but also the integration and application of technologies from the expanded Marston organization, which is refocusing its services proposition to leverage the benefits of a new range of technology-based solutions.”
Marston’s chief executive added, “Videalert is our second acquisition to be announced in 2019 and follows that of Logic Valley, a software developer that specializes in artificial intelligence and mobile application development. The acquisitions are a key part of our ongoing business transformation strategy with new technology-driven service propositions that will deliver even greater value to local authorities.
There is a great synergy between Videalert and Marston Holdings at every level, including a long-standing relationship with NSL, which we acquired in 2017. Videalert shares our commitment to innovation and meeting the needs of clients, particularly those that are currently tackling the challenge of air pollution in our cities.”
Meanwhile, at the Traffex show in Birmingham, Videalert has launched a new all-electric Mobile Enforcement Bike, which will enable councils to enforce a wide range of moving traffic, parking and clean air zone (CAZ) contraventions. The BMW C Evolution electric maxi-scooter host platform offers a 100 miles (160km) range with intelligent energy recuperation when braking and accelerating. It is equipped with two dual-camera units, one forward and one rear facing, each comprising both an ALPR and a color camera, which captures contextual video evidence. In this configuration, the ONVIF-compliant HD cameras deliver capture rates of up to 98% with just a single pass at normal road speeds. The onboard systems are totally automatic, requiring no manual operation.
Videalert’s sales and marketing director, Tim Daniels (pictured), noted, “Used in conjunction with our digital video platform, this electric Mobile Enforcement Bike will enable councils to achieve the highest productivity at the lowest operating cost in any traffic environment, while enabling them to visibly demonstrate their commitment to meeting clean air targets.”
