The ASFINAG traffic management center in Vienna-Inzersdorf is where the central information of Austria’s motorway monitoring comes together. Around the clock, operators keep hundreds of camera images, traffic data and road conditions in view — their decisions influence the flow of traffic and the safety of thousands of people. The central video wall creates the necessary overview for this. Over the past weeks it was completely renewed.
For this demanding project, controlrooms delivered a new LCD video wall based on Barco OverView KVD technology. Integration and on-site installation were carried out together with our partner SPIE KEM. What remains invisible to road users was, behind the scenes, genuine precision work — under high time pressure and during live operation.
Uniform image quality in 24/7 operation
A video wall in a round-the-clock staffed traffic control center must deliver a clear and as homogeneous an image as possible at all times. That sounds obvious, but is technically demanding.
LCD panels change over their operating life. Brightness and color reproduction can develop differently from panel to panel. Without regular calibration, these deviations become visible: instead of a uniform image surface, a patchwork of differently bright or color-deviating image areas appears.
In a traffic management center, this is more than an optical problem. Operators must grasp content quickly, compare camera images and reliably detect deviations. A restless display can impair concentration and increase visual fatigue.
This is exactly where a key strength of Barco KVD technology lies: sensor-based, automatic color and brightness calibration (Barco SenseX). Integrated sensors capture the display of the individual panels in real time and align them across the entire video wall — at the push of a button or on a schedule. Barco is currently the only supplier to enable this automatic real-time calibration via integrated sensors.
This keeps the image surface as homogeneous as possible in the long term. At the same time, the effort for manual calibration and the associated service work is reduced. For the customer this means:
- reliable image quality over the long term
- lower maintenance and calibration effort
- a calm and uniform display
- better working conditions for the operators
Rebuild during live operation
The existing technology of projectors and monitors had reliably done its job over many years. For the new solution it had to be completely dismantled, removed and properly disposed of.
The particular challenge: a traffic management center cannot simply be switched off during such a rebuild. So that operators never had to work without central image display at any time, a fully functional temporary video wall was set up before the actual rebuild work began. Through this transitional solution, operation could be reliably continued throughout the entire rebuild phase.
The decisive switchover was precisely prepared and closely coordinated. Only when the new video wall was fully ready for operation did the change from the temporary solution to the new system take place.
Acoustics, cooling and maintainability considered
A reliable control room does not end at the visible technology. The infrastructure behind the video wall is also decisive for stable and pleasant operation.
The existing air-conditioning and ventilation technology required particular attention. To reduce the operating noise of the air-conditioning units and switches, the acoustic panels behind the video wall were properly restored. In addition, special inspection openings were created in the ventilation housings so that the ventilation ducts remain easily accessible, clean and maintainable in future.
Precision was required down to the detail: the gaps between the displays were sealed to the millimeter with sealing tape so that no disturbing background light shines through the video wall. The LED effect lighting was also integrated into the existing control. Since the new ceiling construction is not walkable, internationally understandable signage clearly indicates this — a small but important detail for safety during later service and maintenance work.
Partnership as a decisive success factor
Despite the tight schedule, all essential project milestones were reached on time. This was only possible through careful preparation, clear responsibilities and close coordination of everyone involved.
We thank ASFINAG, the local construction supervision, our partner SPIE KEM and all other project partners for the professional and collaborative cooperation.
This project shows what matters in the modernization of a control room: reliable technology, precise planning, a well-coordinated team — and the ability to keep every detail in view even under time pressure.
Control room solutions from a single partner
controlrooms is a single-source integrator for control rooms and command centers as well as a certified Barco partner. From the video wall through KVM systems to the ergonomic workspace, we plan and deliver holistic control room solutions in the DACH region and internationally — including maintenance and service across the entire lifecycle.
Are you planning the modernization or new build of a control room? Talk to us about your project.
Visit our showroom in Vienna Prater or Wieselburg
Technology for control rooms, command centers and KVM workspaces is best evaluated live. In the controlrooms showroom we demonstrate video walls, KVM, operator desks and typical 24/7 scenarios working together in real conditions — from visualization through KVM to the 24/7 workspace.
Appointments by arrangement. controlrooms GmbH supports you with analysis, planning, integration and ongoing service.
Frequently asked questions about the ASFINAG video wall project
Which technology was used for the ASFINAG video wall?
An LCD video wall of the Barco OverView KVD series with automatic real-time calibration Barco SenseX. Integrated sensors in each panel continuously capture brightness and color reproduction and align the display across the entire image surface.
How did the traffic management center stay in operation during the rebuild?
Before the rebuild work began, a fully functional temporary video wall was set up. Through this transitional solution, operation continued throughout the entire rebuild phase; only when the new video wall was fully ready did the coordinated switchover take place.
Who was involved in the implementation?
As a single-source integrator, controlrooms delivered the new video wall and was responsible for planning and project management. Integration and on-site installation were carried out together with the partner SPIE KEM, in close coordination with ASFINAG and the local construction supervision.