Traffic Congestion in the City of Pleasanton

Moonblink-Supplied Cameras Give the City of Pleasanton a New Way of Looking at Traffic Congestion

Sunnyvale, Calif. --- The City of Pleasanton, Calif. has made an initial purchase of Axis Communications IP-enabled video surveillance systems from Moonblink Communications, a value-added distributor, as part of an ongoing analog to digital traffic network upgrade.

Pleasanton transportation officials use the cameras to monitor and help improve congestion resulting from some of the worst freeway traffic conditions in the Northern California Bay area. When the freeways become jammed, commuters often cut through to Pleasanton’s city streets, creating additional traffic headaches for the city.

“We need all the tools we can get to monitor our systems and closed circuit television cameras are one of the best tools to be able to monitor critical intersections and corridors,” said Joshua Pack, senior transportation engineer, City of Pleasanton.

Pleasanton, a self-maintained end user with the capability of installing network devices on their own, is in the process of upgrading its analog video surveillance system to digital to “expand our eyes in the field,” said Pack. “Moonblink was a partner we looked for due to their competitive pricing and product expertise. They prepared the equipment quickly and delivered it as promised and have provided support when needed. It has been a good partnership.”

The city’s video surveillance system delivers live traffic conditions so traffic engineers can manage congestion. Because the system and cameras are IP-based, they can be remotely controlled from any available Internet port throughout the city’s network.

“It also allows us to minimize our emergency response time and better troubleshoot problems as they arrive,” Pack said. “The cameras allow us to see what’s going on.”

A local Web site, SMART Corridors, has uploaded the Pleasanton cameras to provide a public view of traffic conditions and Pleasanton plans to put the cameras on its city Web site in the near future as well.

Since they are based on open IP standards, Axis network cameras can connect to any kind of IP network. Pleasanton uses all available network resources, including wireless, fiber and Ethernet-over-copper to transmit data to and from the cameras.

“The adoption of IP video surveillance systems is on the rise and these systems have proven to be a great solution for public agencies like the City of Pleasanton,” said Daniel Redmond, VP of Sales and Marketing at Moonblink Communications. “The benefits of these systems heavily outweigh the costs associated with them.”

The first Axis cameras are only the start of an ongoing project that will expand to other key traffic monitoring locations early next year. 

About Moonblink Communications

Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., Moonblink Communications is a value-added distributor with a targeted focus on wireless systems. With a broad wireless technology portfolio from the industry's leading manufacturers, Moonblink provides a complete spectrum of wireless solutions including WiFi, WiMAX, wireless VoIP, wireless surveillance camera systems, license-free and licensed broadband wireless solutions. This focus on wireless, as well as highly qualified sales, engineering and technical support personnel, have made Moonblink a leader in wireless networking equipment distribution. Moonblink serves all VARs and Integrators that service the enterprise, government, education, and security markets throughout the Americas. For more information please visit www.moonblink.com or call 1-877-623-5223 or 1-408-850-1143.

About the City of Pleasanton

The City of Pleasanton is a vibrant Northern California community of 68,000 residents situated at the crossroads of Interstates 580 and 680, in close proximity to the San Francisco and San Jose metropolitan areas. The city’s location has historical significance as a major trading route of early Native Americans and later along the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Pleasanton is a major suburb that has been noted as one of the wealthiest middle-sized cities in the nation. Among Pleasanton’s many attractions are an excellent school system, a highly educated workforce, 1,200 acres of parkland and recreational open space, a nationally recognized business park, a regional retail shopping mall, and a historic downtown district. For more information, please visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us.