Frequently Asked Questions
Can our client own and run your product independently? Or they must rent/subscribe your devices and platform?
The sensors can be purchased or rented via our Data Collection as a Service (DCaaS) model. However, the client would be required to sign up to the Smart Lenz data portal in order to access the live data feed which is an annual fee. Both options offer competitive rates. Data form the Smart Lenz system can be accessed and run through an alternative system via an API although this would be subject to an additional fee.
Can your cameras be made portable or are they static?
They are currently static. However, they could be made portable, and we would like to work with the council and deliver the portability as per your requirements.
Does your system have air quality measurement tools?
Independent sensors can be installed and integrated via the Smart Lenz Platform. We are currently providing this service for clients in London.
Have you had delivered any services or contract with boroughs of London or other cities?
We have delivered our sensor and portal solution in a number of boroughs including:
- Enfield Council
- Hammersmith and
- Fulham Council
- Islington Council
- Westminster Council
- Kent County Council
How is your devices’ connectivity to servers and how we can access the collected data? Any special platform or API1? How is the data stored – is it on a company owned server?
Data is stored and collected via the cloud. AWS on EU servers with the data available through the Smart Lenz Platform. An API can be supplied for the sensors.
How much running and maintenance of your system cost?
As above, running and maintenance costs are dependent on the volume and the outputs required. As a guide, costs can vary and be as little as £550/ annum/ sensor.
How much your system costs? And Do you have any special discount offer for bulk purchase?
Our prices are dependent on volume and requirements of the Local Authority. We currently offer two different packages, a purchase or a rental, which we call (Data Collection as a Service).
A bulk saving can be made dependent on volumes and length of term.
How simple is to install and run your system? How many hours taken for installing? Need of trained labour?
The sensor is incredibly easy to install and can take as little time as 30 minutes as long as the power source has already been prepared and installed prior. Once the sensor is installed on the lamp column, everything is accessed via an app to programme the sensor to ensure it is working accordingly. The data will then start feeding into the platform. Our staff are fully trained to carry out installation.
How you describe precision of your system? In percentage.
The accuracy levels of the Smart Lenz VECC sensor are above 93%. We have tried and tested these on many occasions against traditional methods such as automatic traffic counts and camera surveys.
Is your device/system is secured against weather, vandalism, and cyber-attacks? (any certificate shows the security?)
- Application programming interface
- General Data Protection Regulation
Our system has been tried and tested in all weather conditions. The sensors are installed and secured at an average minimum of 6m in the air, so vandalism isn’t an issue we’ve experienced.
We have implemented technical and organisational measures which are in line with ISO27001.
What are key features of your GDPR1 Policy?
The device does not record, store or transmit video data. The processing is done on the EDGE and only the vehicle counts/trails are sent to the server.
The servers are also hosted on GDPR compliant hosts within the EU domain.
What are your product abilities?
Smart Lenz gives authorities the power to monitor the real time impact of traffic schemes across a wide range of modes and metrics. It gives authorities the information they need to make data-driven decisions which supports the effectiveness of a transport project.
As part of our sensors, we are able to determine the difference between: Pedestrians; Cyclists; Motorcycles; Cars; Vans; Buses and HGVs. We are also able to collect air pollution whilst utilising our partners Vortex IoT sensor to collect air quality data within the borough.
Hardware: Our Smart Lenz sensor, which is a lamp column mounted VECC sensor, is easy to install and can be easily redeployed. The Smart Lenz sensor includes a camera and CPU (Edge processing) which analyses the camera footage to collect a wide range of traffic and travel information including analytics, counts, directions, speeds, and path subject to your requirements.
Software: With utilising our Smart Lenz portal, by receiving only this typology of data and not sharing the entire footage, we ensure full compliance with GDPR requirements. The portal can also integrate a number of other data sources via APIs including air pollution and noise sensors, electric vehicle charge points, and other environmental datasets available online or provided by the client. We are also able to utilise the API of the enforcement cameras within the borough as well as the CEO data to upload onto the portal. The Smart Lenz portal allows for the collection and management of all these datasets which can be accessed by each client and through a secure account.
User Interface: Each client has access to a web-based dashboard that provides quick and easy access to different functions such as live data from the Smart Lenz sensor and other datasets, management and comparison between new and historic traffic and transport survey data. For each of these data sets, a standard set of analysis features and outputs will be provided as a starting point. Each client can liaise with our monitoring specialists to help manage and customise how data is presented depending on the type of analysis required.
What data we will acquire by using your systems? Any further helpful data?
- Vehicle, Cycle and Pedestrian Count
- Vehicle, Cycle and Pedestrian Classification
- Speed (subject to certain conditions)
- Routes travelled by the vehicle
- Occupancy heat map
- Vehicle analytics including trails
What is your device power supply? Do you have solar panel powered option?
Our device is powered by a commando socket from the existing street furniture. Solar power is not an option as when tested during the winter months, there was not enough daylight to ensure they recorded 24/7. We are continuing to review alternative power options.
What is your system/device physical design and installation procedure?
The device is installed at a height of 5-7m. Therefore, a cherry picker and the relevant Traffic Management is required (usually Chapter 8 is sufficient). The sensor is connected to a commando socket fitted by the client and clamped to the lamp column.
What is your warranty policy?
We offer a 2-year warranty period with our hardware.
What types of reports we will have by your system?
- Classified counts broken down into 15-minute intervals
- Multi-day comparisons
- Peak Hour analysis
- Directional Movement analysis
- Charts and Graphs for the above
- Origin and Destination including resident vs visitor split
- Analytics and heat plans of the turning movements
We also provide fully customisable report functions
Who will be the owner of the collected data, (especially when recorded photo/video is available)?
The video is not recorded for GDPR reasons and therefore photos/ video footage is not available. Subject to the model which the client chooses, they are able to own the data themselves or be provided access to the data via the portal.
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We exist to enable local government to deliver real sustainable change for modern society so that people can enjoy safer, healthier, local living – one street, one community, one place at a time.