New gate system identifies and measures vehicles in the West Harbour and Katajanokka Harbour
A new automated Smart Port gate system has been deployed for both passenger cars and heavy vehicles at the West Harbour and Katajanokka Harbour. The new system is one of the smart solutions for vehicle check-in with which the Port of Helsinki is aiming to make vehicle boarding more flexible and efficient.
The new gate system identifies vehicles using a camera and automatically checks their permits when they approach the check-in area. All vehicles are measured, while lorries are also weighed and have their condition recorded.
In the future, this and other similar solutions promise to cut down on unnecessary waiting and idling, make vehicle boarding smoother and shorten vehicle queues at the port.
“Particularly with heavy vehicles, it is also important to verify dimensions and weights. Accurate and up-to-date information improves the efficiency of both the port and shipping companies”, says Traffic Manager Arto Satuli from the Port of Helsinki.
The port is being developed through automation and innovative technology
Various smart solutions offer a great deal of potential for the development of harbour areas. Automation and technological innovations can be used not only to make travel smoother, but also reduce the space needed for buffer and check-in areas in the future, for example.
Smart gate solutions improve flexibility and vehicle-specific guidance while also supporting the operations of shipping companies. Operating such systems requires seamless information exchange between the port’s and shipping companies’ systems. The smart gate system also includes concrete infrastructure, such as scanner-based preliminary vehicle identification points, automatic barriers and display panels guiding drivers to the right lane.
The Port of Helsinki has received financial support for the implementation of the project from the EU. The co-financing has been used for planning, the implementation of the infrastructure, the development of the system and the procurement and installation of the required hardware.
Plenty of potential for shipping companies
“We are still getting to grips with the system at the West Harbour, but I already see great potential in these types of new gate arrangements,” says Jenni Anttila, who is responsible for heavy vehicle booking and operations at Eckerö Line.
“The measurement data and smooth information exchange make it possible to streamline check-in tasks. More accurate measurement data also supports the balanced loading of ships, which in turn translates into more efficient fuel consumption, for example. In the end, it’s all about cost efficiency.”
