Caldecott Tunnel ATMS and Integrated Tunnel Management System, USA

Project Overview

Telegra delivered the topXview™ software integration platform, X-AID™ video-based incident detection solution, and traffic information displays for the Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore project in California, USA.

The Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore was a major Caltrans tunnel project on Route 24 through the Oakland Hills. The project added a fourth tunnel bore to reduce congestion and eliminate the need for regular traffic-direction reversal in the middle bore.

The tunnel is operated from a central Main Operating Center, where Telegra’s topXview™ platform provides integrated supervision and control of traffic management, tunnel safety, life-safety, video, SCADA, and emergency-response systems.

Client Challenge

The Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore was one of the most demanding projects in Caltrans history from a safety perspective.

The tunnel required a central system capable of supporting fast emergency response, accurate real-time tunnel status information, and safety procedures approved by relevant Californian authorities. Caltrans required not only a central system supplier, but also a partner with the capabilities and experience to support complex tunnel safety and traffic management requirements.

The main operational challenges included:

• integration of multiple traffic, safety, SCADA, video, and life-support subsystems,
• centralized supervision from the Main Operating Center,
• support for fast and consistent emergency response,
• implementation of predefined Emergency Response Plans,
• integration of tunnel fire, ventilation, lighting, power, CCTV, VMS, traffic-flow, seismic, and emergency-call systems,
• support for operator-guided and automated incident response workflows,
• compliance with safety procedures approved by relevant institutions and emergency-response agencies.

Telegra Solution

Telegra delivered the topXview™ software integration platform as the central operational layer for the Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore, together with X-AID™ video-based incident detection for automated detection and operator support.

topXview™ provided functional and ergonomic integration of traffic management, tunnel safety, and life-support systems into a unified operational environment. The platform connected the standard Power SCADA system with traffic and tunnel subsystems such as video surveillance, Variable Message Signs, traffic flow systems, automatic video incident detection, earthquake and seismic measurement systems, emergency call systems, and the central database.

The solution included:

• topXview™ software integration platform for tunnel traffic and safety systems,
• X-AID™ video-based incident detection solution,
• traffic information displays,
• integration with Power SCADA,
• integration of CCTV and video incident detection,
• integration of Variable Message Signs and traffic-flow systems,
• integration of emergency call and seismic measurement systems,
• Emergency Response Plans Manager,
• operator GUI for tunnel supervision and incident handling,
• simulator for testing emergency procedures and training operators.

Integrated Subsystems

The Caldecott Tunnel system integrated multiple tunnel, traffic, safety, and life-support subsystems, including:

• Power SCADA,
• fire detection system,
• power supply system,
• ventilation system,
• lighting system,
• video surveillance system,
• X-AID™ video-based automatic incident detection system,
• Variable Message Signs system,
• traffic flow system,
• earthquake and seismic measurement systems,
• emergency call system,
• emergency roadside telephone system,
• carbon monoxide and nitric oxide detection system,
• traffic information system,
• database and event history,
• Emergency Response Plans Manager.

Emergency Response Plans & Incident Management

A key part of the Caldecott Tunnel implementation was the Emergency Response Plans Manager, implemented as a module of the topXview™ integration platform.

The system supports predefined procedures and plans for resolving tunnel incidents. These plans were designed and tested by relevant institutions, including the State Fire Marshal, California Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, fire departments, and other safety and emergency-response agencies.

The Emergency Response Plans Manager supports:

• predefined reactions to events and incidents,
• automatic or operator-guided response handling,
• step-by-step operator guidance through emergency procedures,
• emergency fill-out forms for uniform incident handling,
• recording of operator reactions, decisions, and issued commands,
• post-incident analysis and investigation,
• automatic notification of authorities such as police, fire department, and ambulance,
• simulation of possible traffic events and system reactions,
• testing and revision of emergency procedures before tunnel opening.

X-AID™ Video Incident Detection & Operator Support

Telegra’s X-AID™ video-based incident detection solution was used to support automatic incident detection and operator response during tunnel events.

The CCTV and incident detection subsystems support automatic detection of incidents, camera positioning toward the incident location, and live video presentation in the operator GUI. This enables operators to see live video from the event location and respond based on accurate visual information.

This capability supports:

• faster event verification,
• better operator situational awareness,
• automated video-based incident detection,
• incident-focused video presentation,
• integration of video incident detection with tunnel operations,
• improved coordination between CCTV, incident workflows, and operator actions.

Operational Impact

The Caldecott Tunnel implementation enabled central supervision and coordinated control of tunnel traffic, safety, and life-support systems.

Documented outcomes include:

• operation of tunnel systems from one Main Operating Center,
• integrated control of tunnel traffic, safety, and life-support subsystems,
• improved operator efficiency through a unified interface,
• predefined and tested Emergency Response Plans,
• automatic and operator-guided incident response workflows,
• X-AID™ video-based incident detection integrated into tunnel operations,
• improved incident awareness through automatic video-based detection and live video presentation,
• centralized real-time information about tunnel status,
• improved support for maintenance crews through accurate system information,
• post-incident analysis through recorded operator actions and issued commands,
• support for one of the most advanced and safest tunnel projects in California at the time of opening.

Related Software Solution Areas

• Tunnel Control & SCADA Supervision Systems,
• Incident Detection & Incident Management Workflows,
• Traffic Management Center (TMC) Platforms,
• ITS Integration & Interoperability,
• Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS).

Download Case Study

Download the original PDF case study:

USA - Caldecott tunnel ATMS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Caldecott Tunnel ATMS case study about?

It describes Telegra’s delivery of a software integration platform, X-AID™ video-based incident detection solution, and traffic information displays for the Caldecott Tunnel 4th Bore project in California, USA.

What type of system was delivered?

Telegra delivered an integrated tunnel management and ATMS software platform based on topXview™, together with X-AID™ video-based incident detection and traffic information displays. The system supported tunnel traffic management, safety systems, SCADA integration, incident management, video surveillance, and emergency response workflows.

Which subsystems were integrated?

The system integrated Power SCADA, ventilation, lighting, fire detection, power supply, CCTV, X-AID™ video-based incident detection, Variable Message Signs, traffic flow systems, seismic measurement, emergency call systems, and Emergency Response Plans.

Does this case study support Telegra’s tunnel control positioning?

Yes. The project demonstrates Telegra’s capability to deliver integrated tunnel control software, SCADA interoperability, video incident detection, emergency response workflows, and centralized operator control for mission-critical tunnel environments.

Does the system support configurable emergency response procedures?

Yes. The Emergency Response Plans Manager includes a designer tool that allows users to design, implement, modify, simulate, and test emergency plans and procedures before operational use.

Does the Caldecott Tunnel project include X-AID™ video incident detection?

Yes. Telegra provided X-AID&Trade; video-based incident detection as part of the Caldecott Tunnel solution, supporting automated incident detection and operator response in the tunnel environment.

Has the Caldecott Tunnel system been upgraded after the original deployment?

Yes. The Caldecott Tunnel system has been upgraded after the original deployment to support long-term operation, maintainability, and technology lifecycle requirements.

In 2017, Telegra’s X-AID™ video-based incident detection solution replaced the original Citilog system as part of a modernization upgrade, improving incident detection performance and long-term maintainability despite the limitations of the existing analog camera infrastructure. In 2022, the system was upgraded to the current version of the topXview™ platform to support a newer Windows operating system environment and maintain compatibility with current IT, cybersecurity, and software lifecycle requirements.