French Metro Transportation Agency Simplifies Surveillance System Modernization While Saving Over 2.4 Million Euros

French Metro Transportation Agency Uses Ethernet over Coax Innovations to Reduce Complexity, Costs, and Disruption During IP Camera Deployment 

3-minute read time 

Summary 

• A large French Metro Transportation Agency recently renewed a contract with an organization to manage the operation and maintenance of the city’s metros, trams, buses, and other public transportation.  

• The organization needed to modernize the French Metro Transportation Agency’s aging analog surveillance system by deploying over 1.500 IP cameras across more than 70 sites. 

• The organizations wanted to leverage the existing and proven network infrastructure to reduce costs, minimize waste, and avoid the disruption of a complete network overhaul. 

• System integrator Semeru (Groupe Fayat) recommended NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax innovations, which reduced deployment time, disruption, and costs by over 2.4 million euros. 

• The Ethernet over Coax innovations allowed the French Metro Transportation Agency to prevent over 52,000 pounds (23.000 kilograms) of e-waste while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, aligning the digital transformation project with the transportation agency’s sustainability objectives. 

Challenge 

The public transportation system needed to modernize its surveillance system to improve security and operational efficiency. The existing analog system no longer met the organization’s evolving needs, prompting a transition to Hanwha IP cameras. However, the project faced significant challenges. 

A complete network infrastructure overhaul would require extensive construction, resulting in high costs and prolonged deployment timelines. This approach also risked disrupting day-to-day transportation operations, a critical concern given the public reliance on the agency’s services. Furthermore, the transportation agency prioritized sustainability and sought a solution that would reduce waste and maximize the use of its existing network infrastructure. 

Solution 

Semeru, the project’s system integrator, identified NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax innovations as the ideal solution to meet the French transportation agency’s requirements. Semeru used the NVT Phybridge CLEER24-10G switch to leverage the existing coaxial wiring, rack space, cooling, and other supporting infrastructure, reducing material waste and avoiding high costs. The switch’s simple deployment methodology and management features allowed for easy configuration and monitoring to ensure network stability. 

The project was executed in three phases over one year, beginning with trial and validation testing to confirm performance. A prototype deployment at key sites refined the implementation process, followed by a full rollout across 72 sites. Despite the project’s large scope, Semeru reported no significant challenges during deployment, thanks to thorough pre-deployment training and the simplicity of the CLEER switch innovation. 

Result 

The modernization project delivered significant benefits for the French Metro Transportation Agency. In total, the organization reduced its network readiness costs by over 2.4 million euros by reusing the existing network infrastructure, avoiding the substantial costs of a complete network overhaul. Deployment timelines were reduced by over 1.5 years, cutting the installation time from 7-8 days per site to just 3 days. This efficiency ensured minimal operational disruption, allowing the agency to maintain uninterrupted transportation services. 

The NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax solution provided a reliable and scalable network solution to support the French Metro Transportation Agency’s new IP surveillance system. The successful deployment has positioned the organization for future modernization projects within the Metro Lille system and across the metro group. 

Wesley Rocha, Business Manager at Semeru praised the NVT Phybridge CLEER technology for its ease of use, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, stating, “Faced with the challenge of replacing 1,582 analog cameras with IP cameras at 72 separate sites while retaining the existing coaxial cabling infrastructure, we undertook extensive testing of various technologies and manufacturers. The CLEER range from NVT Phybridge stood out as the best-performing choice, offering excellent value and performance.” 

Sustainability 

The French Metro Transportation Agency’s decision to reuse its network infrastructure demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability. By avoiding unnecessary material consumption and preventing e-waste, the organization minimized the project’s environmental impact by eliminating over 52,000 pounds (23,500 kilograms) of e-waste. The efficient deployment process also reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, further aligning with the agency’s sustainability objectives. This approach supported the organization’s mission to provide environmentally responsible transportation services. 

About Semeru (Groupe Fayat) 

Semeru, part of Groupe Fayat, specializes in system integration for transportation, smart cities, and industrial projects. Known for its expertise in deploying innovative technologies, Semeru ensures seamless solutions for complex infrastructure challenges, making it a trusted partner in modernization projects across France. 

About NVT Phybridge 

Our mission is to help organizations maximize their IP migration return on investment by providing high-quality network solutions that are robust, secure, simple to implement, and environmentally responsible. NVT Phybridge is a global leader in PoE network innovations that eliminate the reach and cable type limitations of traditional PoE switches. Our diverse and award-winning portfolio of long-reach PoE switches and extenders help organizations deploy the latest IP technologies over any new or existing single-pair UTP, coax, multi-pair UTP, or 2-wire infrastructure without high costs, complexity, business disruption, or security concerns.