Theme and Leisure Parks
Radio communications increasing the thrills and reducing the spills
With visitors once again returning to theme and leisure parks, it’s important that park operators update risk assessments and operational security to reflect the changing nature of threats they face. Key to supporting the implementation of robust and resilient health, safety and security policies will be the ability for all staff to communicate with each other, everywhere on site, instantly at the push of a button.
With more parks expanding to include hotels, restaurants, bars and live entertainment shows in addition to extraordinary rides for people of all age groups and abilities in a bid to maximise revenue and deliver a wraparound experience, the requirement to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and visitors at all times, free from the threat of anti-social behaviour, petty crime, personal assault, acts of terrorism and risk of injury is naturally paramount.
However, reducing risks while balancing the efficiency of operations and maintaining the anticipation and excitement of visitors creates unique challenges. While it’s relatively easy to achieve this in a contained, indoor environment, it becomes less so on exposed outdoor sites, covering large areas and subject to extreme weather and freak conditions including high winds, storms and lightning strikes.
Throw the effects of excessive heat, crowds, queues, accidents and illness into the mix and you have all the ingredients which can make normally rational people behave unpredictably and test the patience and professionalism of your staff to the limit.
RADIOCOMMUNICATION UNDERPINNING ROBUST HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY POLICIES AT THEME AND LEISURE PARKS
Core to the management of risk, containment of incidents, implementation of emergency plans and providing an excellent customer experience lays in the ability to report threats, situations and status quickly, efficiently and instantly. This is especially important in the event of a natural or man-made catastrophe where access for emergency services and the safe and rapid evacuation of large numbers of people through multiple access points will need to be managed calmly.
In this age of smart, connected devices like mobile phones, tablets and hybrid LTE/PoC radio, what are the advantages that digital two-way radio brings? It’s an often-asked question.
Robust, low purchase cost and with no dialling, waiting for a connection, dropped calls, service contracts, call or data charges are just some of the benefits - providing instant voice and data communications at the push of a button indoors and out without unnecessary distractions.
Hand-portable two-way radios (walkie-talkies) can provide one-to-one, group and all-users communication options, giving you the flexibility to build a radio system that will underpin your operations with voice and data capabilities to connect management, attraction hosts, catering, ride operators and engineering teams, security, rescue and first aid teams or communicating with all staff anywhere on site in the event of an incident requiring assistance.
Two-way radiocommunication provides the most powerful means to link teams of people, often working out of sight together, giving them the reassurance that they are never more than the push of a button away from assistance.
Put simply, think of two-way radio as the communication tool of first and last resort; connecting individuals and groups instantly at the push of a button and continuing to work even when mobile networks get overloaded or IP connections crash.
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Operations Support |
Security and Safety Support |
KENWOOD TWO-WAY RADIO SOLUTIONS – FROM TRAVELLING FUNFAIRS TO DESTINATION RESORTS
Of course, not all theme and leisure parks are on permanent, purpose-built sites. Hundreds of funfairs and carnivals of all sizes and types travel around Europe throughout the season. KENWOOD offers reliable, digital two-way radio solutions to suit all types of outdoor leisure operations.
ProTalk License-Free PMR446 – simple and effective
The simplicity and convenience of license-free PMR446 technology has made it a popular choice for travelling fairs and carnivals and smaller theme and leisure parks where its reliability, ruggedness and ease of use provides instant communication between individuals and groups over shorter distances at the push of a button.
Digital dPMR446 is by far the most popular license-free format with professional users. Providing better reception to the full extent of the coverage area, more channels, durability, a long battery life between charges along with its simplicity of operation in all weather conditions are just some of the key attributes of the current generation of KENWOOD ProTalk digital dPMR446 radios, which also offer more advanced features only previously found in licensed radios.
The ProTalk TK-3701D for example is better built and equipped than most and offers native analogue to digital mixed operation, a second programmable PTT button, 32-digital and 16-analogue channels for congestion free operation even in cities, construction to US MIL-STD Specification 810G and IP54/55 weather protection. For an entry-level radio delivering instant one- to-one and call-all-radios capabilities straight out of the box, there’s little to better it.
Licensed DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN radio systems
For larger parks including those spread across multiple locations a licensed KENWOOD digital radiocommunication system brings even greater benefits, including:
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- Individual, group and all radio calls |
- Encryption against interception and eavesdropping |
KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN digital protocols both offer the capability to build flexible and scalable systems suitable for covering single or multiple sites for example off-site hotels, auditoriums, bars and restaurants etc., while the native analogue/digital Mixed operation capability (enabling radios to communicate automatically with existing licensed analogue radios), provides a predictable, economical migration path to digital two-way radio operation and a solid basis from which to build a scalable, future-proof radio system.
A KENWOOD DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN system equipped with GPS devices not only provides multiple communications channels and talk groups but also, with the addition of the optional KAS-10/20 software or Trackuracy ‘asset’ tracking suites, allow you to monitor and track every radio so you always know where staff are and can pinpoint and alert those closest to an incident to reduce response times.
Health & Safety (Including Rescue, Emergency and Evacuation situations)
In addition to the efficiency that KENWOOD radio communication solutions bring to improving security, coordinating activities efficiently and enhancing the visitor experience, it also serves to help you comply with health and safety requirements/regulations.
However, where radio communication really excels is in the event of a major incident. Whether that be a medical emergency, staff at risk or a more serious event that requires key staff everywhere on site to be alerted instantly and to initiate rescue, emergency and evacuation procedures.
All NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR hand portable and mobile in-vehicle two-way radio devices feature an Emergency Key and Emergency Call features as standard, while more advanced models additionally offer built-in or optional GPS modules, Lone Worker, Motion Detection and compatibility with Location services, which make them suited for incorporation in a robust health and safety policy. Once programmed and activated, these advanced safety features can include:
| Priority Call: |
The Priority Call feature ensures the availability of a radio channel in the event of an emergency and allows a dispatcher or the Health, Safety and Security Manager to interrupt all existing calls on a channel. |
| Emergency Key: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender and when the Emergency Key button is pressed. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user. |
| Lone Worker: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender if a user does not respond to a status prompt within a specified time. |
| Man Down: |
An alarm is triggered along with the user ID of the sender if the radio is tilted beyond a pre-determined angle indicating that the user may have fallen or become incapacitated. Other programmable features include: - Stationary Detection: Emergency mode is triggered along with the user ID of the sender when the radio remains in a stationary position for a period exceeding a pre-set time, indicating that the user is unable to operate the transceiver, or it’s has been lost, mislaid etc. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user to a control centre using software such as KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites. - Motion Detection: Emergency mode is triggered along with the user ID of the sender when the radio is vigorously shaken or swung for a period exceeding a pre-set time, indicating that the user is running to or from an incident. GPS equipped radios can additionally send the location (GPS coordinates) of the user to a control centre using software such as KAS-10 and KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites. |
| Location Services: |
NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR radios equipped with GPS can additionally be programmed to send location information to the control centre using software such as KAS-10 or KAS-20 AVL and Dispatch suites so that the user at risk can be located quickly and response times reduced. |
| Asset Tracking and Monitoring: |
With Trackuracy, KENWOOD DMR and NEXEDGE NXDN systems can be equipped with low-energy, real-time asset monitoring and tracking across single and multiple sites, indoors and out. Alerts and alarms delivered as audible tones, voice or data messages can be programmed to trigger automatically should the user stray off course or enter restricted areas. |
| Remote Monitor: |
Remote Monitor allows control centre staff to listen in to a radio through its microphone in situations where an alarm is activated, and the radio user is unable to respond. This provides the Health, Safety and Security Manager with the intelligence to assess a situation in real time and to quickly initiate an appropriate response. |
EXAMPLES OF PMR446, DMR AND NEXEDGE NXDN SYSTEMS FOR THEME AND LEISURE PARKS
KENWOOD DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN system solutions for theme and leisure parks need not be complicated or costly. A simple, effective system providing coverage throughout a park can be built employing either digital PMR446, DMR or NEXEDGE NXDN technologies as appropriate, for example:
| License-free PMR446 |
ProTalk digital dPMR446 (for voice communications at small parks and travelling funfairs and carnivals with no requirement for repeaters, advanced worker safety or dispatch functions) |
| NEXEDGE NXDN & DMR |
- Digital conventional (typical for most theme and leisure parks) |
| Repeaters |
- Required to boost the radio signal if the site poses coverage problems |
| Base Station |
- Mobile radio(s) required for control room/radio dispatcher |
| Control Software |
- KAS-10 or KAS-20 Suite |
| Base Station |
- ProTalk license-free TK-3701D hand-portable |
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Click here to contact a KENWOOD Digital Partner to discuss your specific requirements. |
EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO QUALITY EVEN IN NOISY ENVIRONMENTS
Background noise is a big issue for communications in theme and leisure parks, making voice communication challenging. Effective noise cancellation results in clearly audible voice communication irrespective of the level of background noise, a crucial safety and security requirement in managing crowds, especially in the event of a major incident.
KENWOOD radiocommunication devices benefit from JVCKENWOOD Group’s 60-years’ experience in producing consumer audio and visual equipment (Trio, JVC and KENWOOD), renowned for exceptional sound quality.
This transfer of knowledge and experience has led to the development of a number of novel and innovative solutions which overcome the problem of cancelling ambient noise while improving the audio clarity of the transmitted voice - in any operating environment.
| Ultimate noise cancellation: |
NX-5000 Series hand-portable radios achieve optimum noise cancellation with the use of two integrated microphones. The main microphone is situated closer to the desired source (front of the radio), while a second microphone in the rear of the radio receives the ambient noise. In a noisy environment, both microphones receive noise at a similar level, however, the main microphone receives the user’s voice more strongly. The processor in the radio subtracts one noise source from the other so that most of the ambient noise is cancelled which effectively enhances the quality of the transmitted audio of the user’s voice. |
| Active Noise Reduction: |
Both NX-5000 and NX-3000 Series radios feature Active Noise Reduction (ANR). ANR serves to cancel the noise component of the collected audio to improve the transmitted audio quality. Noise cancellation functions can be ‘Custom’ configured to adjust the vocoder, DSP, filters, specific noises etc. to suit the operating environment. |
| Selectable Audio profiles: |
The received audio will sound different depending on the usage environment of the radio, characteristics of the device (such as the microphone to be combined with the radio and external devices), and the tone of voice and manner of speaking of the speaker. The received audio will also sound different depending on the output method, such as using the speaker of the radio or via an earphone, to hear the received audio. KENWOOD radios feature 6 customisable audio profiles which can be configured for specific scenarios and selected by the user to suit the operating environment. |
COST-EFFECTIVE MIGRATION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL
The beauty of a KENWOOD digital two-way radio solution is that your investment in new equipment when upgrading from analogue can be phased over time as all KENWOOD digital radio devices feature automatic analogue/digital Mixed operation (which allows them to communicate automatically with any existing analogue radios whatever the make) providing a predictable and cost-effective path to full digital implementation.
BUILT TOUGH TO WITHSTAND RAIN, DIRT AND THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE OF USE IN THEME & LEISURE PARK SETTINGS
Radios used in a theme and leisure park environment need to be robust, able to operate constantly for long periods and in all weather conditions.
As you would expect, all KENWOOD professional hand portable walkie talkies and mobile radios conform to MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F/G for ruggedness and durability and are IP54/55/67 Water & Dust Intrusion rated, making them suited for use in any environment – most especially at parks with water attractions!
In addition, KENWOOD can offer ATEX IECEx devices for use in hazardous, explosive atmospheres
SECURITY & PRIVACY
As more products are connected by IP and to networked information and automation systems, there is a growing risk of leakage and theft of personal and other information, fabrication or destruction of data, and hijacking of products.
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of radiocommunication products and solutions, we take our responsibility for ensuring the security integrity of our products and the data we hold on systems developed on behalf of our customers. Click for more information on JVCKENWOOD’s Group Privacy Policy.
Product Security
Secure encryption is an essential requirement in radiocommunications to provide security against eavesdropping, jamming and other malicious attacks on a radio system.
All KENWOOD digital radio devices are equipped with a voice scrambler feature as standard, while licenced NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR radios are further protected with more advanced encryption:
| PROTALK PMR446: |
Voice inversion scrambler |
| NX-1000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler as standard, optional upgrade to ARC4 Encryption for DMR |
| NX-3000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler as standard, optional 56-bit DES encryption and upgrade to 256-bit AES (NEXEDGE NXDN and DMR) and 40-bit ARC4 encryption for DMR |
| NX-5000 Series: |
Built-in digital scrambler and DES-56 bit (4 keys) as standard, optional hardware upgrade to 56-bit DES and support to 256-bit AES |
Information Security
The Communications Systems Business, Professional Systems Business and the Healthcare Business units of JVCKENWOOD Corporation are certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 international standards for information security management system and JIS Q 27001:2014 Japanese industrial standards, both of which specify standards for information security management systems and establish requirements and implementation of the framework to protect information assets.
EXPLORE KENWOOD SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR THEME OR LEISURE PARK
KENWOOD two-way radio systems are widely in use in theme and leisure parks around the world including Puy du Fou and Futuroscope in France, the Georgia Aquarium, North America, Park Guell in Spain and Oakwood Theme Park, Wales.
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KENWOOD Digital DMR upgrade at Oakwood Theme Park, WalesWhether it’s an adrenaline-fuelled experience or a magical adventure, Oakwood Theme Park, the biggest theme park in Wales offers thrills for all including the UK’s favourite wooden roller coaster. Learn how an upgrade from analogue to a KENWOOD DMR digital system is set to enhance safety and efficiency at the park. |
To discover more about the millions of KENWOOD devices in use by countless customers in hundreds of applications around the world, including the innovative, multi-protocol NX-5000 Series (NXDN, DMR, P25 and FM Analogue), NX-3000 Series (NXDN, DMR and FM Analogue) and exceptional value offered by the entry-level NX-1000 Series hand portable walkie talkies and mobiles, please click on the banners below.
For more information on KENWOOD digital system solutions including DMR Tier 3 trunking and Simulcast, NXDN Type-C, Type-D and Gen2 trunking click here.
If you’d like to learn more about our TRACKURACY, our real-time Bluetooth Low Energy asset tracking and monitoring solution, click here.
Alternatively, please post an enquiry to us or contact an authorised KENWOOD Communications reseller.
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