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Project Delivery: Connected Wharves and Ferries @ Sydney Ferries

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Project Delivery: Connected Wharves and Ferries @ Sydney Ferries

Customer Challenge

Transdev Sydney Ferries (TDSF), the operator of the Sydney Ferries transport system on behalf of Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), faced significant challenges with its existing 4G-based CCTV and communication systems. Key challenges included:

  • Inadequate Bandwidth: The 4G network struggled to support high-quality HD CCTV streaming and large data offloads (over 330GB/day).
  • Black Spots: Mobile coverage gaps in Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson Bay) impacted reliability.
  • Contractual Obligations: TDSF needed to meet high-availability, low-latency requirements for CCTV and Emergency Help Point services as part of its contract with TfNSW.
  • Operational Efficiency: The existing system required significant staff effort for troubleshooting and lacked real-time capabilities for critical safety systems.

The goal was to implement a high-availability, low-latency, and high-bandwidth solution to improve operational efficiency, safety, and compliance with TfNSW requirements.

Our Role

At Australian Sentinel, we were engaged to:

  • Develop the business case for upgrading to a 5G solution.
  • Manage the end-to-end project deployment, including initiation, planning, design, vendor selection, execution, and transition to operations.
  • Provide managed services for the 5G solution, including device support and ongoing maintenance.

Our role extended beyond project delivery, ensuring the solution met TDSF’s operational and contractual needs while delivering measurable benefits.

Our Approach

We implemented a structured and collaborative approach to address TDSF’s challenges:

  1. Business Case Development
    • Conducted a thorough analysis of TDSF’s requirements and the limitations of the existing 4G solution.
    • Developed a compelling business case for transitioning to a 5G-based solution.
  2. End-to-End Project Delivery
    • Managed the entire project lifecycle, including design, testing, implementation, and commissioning.
    • Selected and integrated Cradlepoint 5G routers and NetCloud Manager for centralised, cloud-based management.
    • Ensured the solution met TfNSW’s technical and contractual standards.
  3. Managed Services
    • Provided ongoing support for the 5G solution, including device maintenance and troubleshooting.
    • Ensured high availability and performance of the system across TDSF’s fleet and wharves.
  4. Stakeholder Collaboration
    • Worked closely with TDSF and TfNSW to ensure alignment with operational and safety requirements.
    • Delivered regular updates and governance to maintain transparency and trust.

Outcomes Delivered

  • Improved Bandwidth and Latency: Achieved a 300% improvement in bandwidth, 50% reduction in latency, and 100% WAN uptime compared to the 4G solution.
  • Enhanced CCTV Quality: Enabled high-quality HD CCTV streaming and faster data offloads, reducing download times from hours to minutes.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Provided real-time tracking and tracing of vessel locations using Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager.
  • Operational Efficiency: Reduced staff effort for troubleshooting and improved the reliability of critical safety systems, including Emergency Help Points and PA systems.
  • Future-Proof Solution: Established a scalable and flexible platform for future IoT and AI applications.

What They Say

“There were two key elements of this technology that we were extremely impressed with: the 5G connection to the vessel CCTV systems — which enabled almost real-time footage review — and the speed at which we were able to get the connection live.” – Loretta Lynch, Managing Director, Transdev Sydney Ferries

“Our newest fleet, the River Class, produces up to 330GB of CCTV per day. That’s the equivalent of 100 Netflix movies. And yet our investigation team is now able to download hours of CCTV footage in minutes, which is significantly faster than what we could get with 4G.” – Eric Cannell, General Manager Finance and Commercial, Transdev Sydney Ferries

“The applications of 5G connectivity are endless – whether it’s in moving vehicles, in IoT devices, or for Artificial Intelligence. The work that Australian Sentinel is doing with Transdev is an example of the huge impact that 5G connectivity can have on an organisation’s operations.” – Nathan McGregor, Senior Vice President, Cradlepoint Asia Pacific