• Citywide automated water meter reading (AMR) is initial service to rollout
WELLINGTON, FL, Jan. 13, 2009 -- The Village of Wellington, Florida and Tropos® Networks, the market leader in wireless IP broadband mesh networks, announced the rollout of a city owned and operated wireless network. Initial planned use is for improving water conservation and providing better service to water customers. Centralized automated meter reading will allow water meters to be monitored in real time, enabling faster leak detection and reducing water loss. In the future, the Village plans to extend use of the network to virtually all city departments providing citywide communications for mobile workers, and helping improve efficiencies and level of service to the community.
Currently, water meters are read via drive-by and the communication failure rate is high, reducing the efficiencies of meter readers. The Village is replacing its water meters with Badger Meter meters equipped with ORION® transmitters. Badger Meter is a leading manufacturer of water AMR solutions. The ORION system connects to Tropos' mesh network which in turn attaches to Wellington's existing wireless backhaul, sending the data to the utility billing center for processing. Installation of all the meters will be completed over the next 6 months. In addition to improving meter reading efficiencies and accuracy, the AMR application will improve the water department's ability to detect and pinpoint the location of leaks and other service problems faster which can have a significant impact on reducing water loss and improving customer service.
The Tropos 5210 fixed MetroMesh routers cover approximately 40 square miles of Wellington; installation of the network will be complete by the end of 2008. Network design and deployment are being provided by BIG Wireless, LLC.
Plans are underway to add additional applications to the network -- mobile utility workers are being equipped with Tropos 4210 MetroMesh routers in their vehicles, extending the network coverage area and replacing use of expensive cellular cards in PCs today. Other mobile city workers will have access to the network, providing them with the same applications in the field as from their office; this includes building inspectors, code enforcement and public works. IP video cameras for security and monitoring of intersections for traffic violations will also be added. SCADA applications will be migrated to the network using Multitrode's water and wastewater lift and pumping station controllers. This will enable remote switches and two-way communications to be activated remotely, improving efficiencies and enabling faster response to changes.
"We are excited to partner with the Village of Wellington in their implementation of a cost effective wireless IP foundation for deploying greener, safer and smarter solutions that enables them to automate many different city services for the benefit of the community," said Tom Ayers, President and CEO of Tropos Networks.
Tropos® Networks is a worldwide market leader in wireless IP broadband mesh networks that enable customers to own and control a smart, affordable, IP foundation for deploying high-value applications that improve the efficiencies of mobile workers, reduce operational costs and contribute towards the building of greener communities.
###
