RTC Southern Nevada Protects Employees with Thermal Imaging Solution from Hitachi Vantara

Solution

Detecting COVID Symptoms With Thermal Imaging

To help keep staff safe, RTC Southern Nevada has implemented AT&T’s IoT Video Intelligence thermal imaging solution, powered by Lumada Video Insights from Hitachi. “We selected the  solution as it could take thermal readings quickly, required minimal manual intervention and was rapid to rollout,” explains Scarbrough.

Using thermal cameras, machine learning and onsite monitors, the solution alerts individuals if their temperature is raised above the normal range. Placed at eight entrances across six locations, the solution displays a thermal image of every individual passing through and flags if their temperature breaches a set threshold. The solution takes just a second or two per person, preventing delays. The monitor will not provide the actual temperature of an individual. The screener will see only a heat image with a box around it – a green box for those without an elevated temperature and a red box for those with one.

If an individual has an elevated temperature, they are asked to wait for a few minutes before trying again. If it’s still out of the acceptable range, it is verified by a handheld device before their supervisor is informed and sends them home to seek medical care. The solution is monitored centrally to ensure the correct protocols are followed.

Around 600 people are currently screened by the solution every day, with this figure likely to increase to 1,000 once the state’s stay-at-home order ends and staffing levels return to normal.

Outcome

Keeping People Safe With Minimal Intrusiveness

With the Hitachi Vantara solution, RTC Southern Nevada can protect employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public with minimal impact on their privacy or their time. “As our first line of defense against COVID-19, the thermal imaging solution makes everyone feel more comfortable,” comments Scarbrough. “The beauty of the solution is that it doesn’t disrupt the flow of foot traffic.”

RTC Southern Nevada is deliberately not using facial recognition, providing the actual temperature of anyone or storing any data to protect privacy. “We were initially concerned about acceptance, but everyone understands how it’s helping to keep them safe and healthy, so we haven’t had any issues,” explains Scarbrough.

After its success with the thermal imaging solution, RTC Southern Nevada is looking into how cameras onboard buses and video analytics could help provide real-time intelligence into capacity and use of its services.