Over 980 and counting - the number of successful projects PBA has completed. Since our inception, we have continued to play an ever increasing role in the planning and deployment of infrastructure in BC and abroad.
Collectively, our design team represents decades of experience in all facets of electrical and systems projects, with capital budgets ranging from $1,500 to $6M in electrical infrastructure. This depth of field is evident in our constant commitment to project quality and delivery. Our diversity in both project type and client base allows a unique cross-pollination of information and ideas and is a significant driving factor behind the development of the practical, innovative, and effective solutions we have become known for.
Below is a selected sample of representative projects that highlight our diverse experience and demonstrated capabilities.
Title: Regional ATIS
Sector: Transportation
This project involves the upgrade to the MoT's local operation centers to provide video, lane control system status, traffic flow information and variable message sign information to the Regional Advanced Traveler Information System web server. The project consists of system software and infrastructure upgrades to allow information to be provided over an ADSL internet connection. The project includes the George Massey Tunnel, Lions Gate Bridge, Pitt River Bridge, Cassiar Tunnel local operations centers as well as the Provincial Dynamic Message System located in the MoT Regional office in Burnaby.
Title: Advanced Traveller Information System
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the electrical design, testing, construction supervision and commissioning of the Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) on Routes 99 and 15 southbound to the U.S. border (in progress). PBA Engineering was responsible for the complete electrical and systems design. The system includes 2 ADDCO CMS signs, 22 vehicle detector stations, fibre optic backbone and 10 custom control cabinets.
Title: Lions Gate Bridge Lane Control System
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the complete redesign of the reversible lane system for the Lions Gate Bridge. This included electrical design, software development, system integration, construction supervision, testing and commissioning, operator and maintenance training, and the development of complete system manuals for a system that includes 156 signal heads and 23 CCTV cameras. The counterflow, signing, and lighting systems integrate with the Stanley Park Entrance Project.
Title: Massey Tunnel Counterflow
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the complete redesign of the traffic counterflow system for the George Massey Tunnel. This included electrical design, software development, system integration, construction supervision, testing and commissioning, operator and maintenance training, and the development of complete system manuals for a system that includes 168 signal heads, 29 traffic gates, 47 CCTV cameras, 4 tri-state message boards, 26 custom control cabinets, and 8 changeable message signs.
Title: Massey Tunnel Queue Detection System
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the design and deployment of an advanced queue detection and driver advisory system. This included software development, electrical design, system integration, construction supervision, testing and commissioning of a system including 4 ADDCO VMS signs, 8 detector and data processing stations, fibre and wireless communications, and 4 custom control cabinets. In addition, the Countersoft software also controls the 4 Telespot CMS signs currently in use at the Massey Tunnel.
Title: Vehicular Access Control System (VACS)
Sector: Transportation
Designed to accommodate the increasing security concerns of the Vancouver Port Authority, the Vehicular Access Control System (VACS) serves as a means to monitor and control all vehicular traffic entering and exiting the south shore roadway. A major driving factor for this project are the new security guidelines that have been developed by the IMO and are being implemented by Transport Canada.
This project includes a variety of field devices including 24 card access and intercom stations, 21 fixed digital CCTV cameras, 24 changeable message signs, 11 vehicle gates, 4 additional digital PTZ CCTV cameras, 10 tire shredders, 4 automated perimeter security gates, and a comprehensive site-wide redundant gigabit Ethernet fibre-optic communications network.
Successful implementation depended heavily on an effective pedestrian and driver signing strategy to ensure efficient and seamless user interaction. PBA and Delcan developed a hybrid solution that integrated dynamic, responsive electronic technologies with well-planned static signing.
The entire system is controlled using our advanced software control system platform. This platform incorporates all field devices, from cameras to gates to changeable message signs, and provides a single, consolidated operator interface. PBA's control platform has been adopted and implemented by other lower mainland jurisdictions, such as the City of Vancouver and the Ministry of Transportation. This allows all agencies to seamlessly control electronic signs, share CCTV camera images, effectively expanding each agency's infrastructure.
Title: FSD Security System Project
Sector: Security
This project involved the planning, design, and deployment for a comprehensive site wide security system to comply with national and international security regulations. This included the design and installation of field devices such as CCTV cameras (23), automatic vehicle gates (6), access card readers (26), pedestrian turnstiles (4), upgraded security lighting, and dedicated LAN switches as well as the necessary supporting infrastructure, including structured cabling, fibre optic, and power distribution systems and a new centralized security monitoring and control facility. As part of this project, PBA engineering undertook extensive site investigations to determine the nature and condition of existing ducting and infrastructure facilities. The card access system for this facility has been designed to interface with the VPA's CAMS regional card access management system.
Title: IDC Intermodal Yard Development
Sector: Industrial
This project involved the planning and design for an intermodal rail facility that interfaces with the Fraser Surrey Docks container and breakbulk handling facility. The scope of engineering services included preliminary design, costing, detailed design, tender specifications, and engineering services during construction for all elelctrical and security services. The site is comprised of two administration and operations buildings, one IT building, nine highmast lighting poles, site-wide network LAN and WLAN systems, site wide perimeter fencing, and an extensive site wide security and surveillance system. This included the design and installation of field devices such as CCTV cameras (17), automatic vehicle gates (4), access card readers (6), pedestrian turnstiles (2), upgraded security lighting, and dedicated LAN switches as well as the necessary supporting infrastructure, including structured cabling, fibre optic, and power distribution systems and a new security control facility. The card access system for this facility has been designed to interface with the VPA's CAMS regional card access management system.
Title: Preliminary Network Architecture Design
Sector: Systems
As a result of issues brought forth during the development of the Functional Design Report, the VPA sought to develop a comprehensive network plan that will address the needs of the entire Port Community, present and future. PBA Engineering assisted with the development of this preliminary plan by applying our technical expertise and intimate knowledge of both the Port's infrastructure and the infrastructure of key organizations throughout the lower mainland, such as the Ministry of Transportation.
During this project, PBA developed a preliminary network system diagram that outlined the potential deployment of a community-wide network architecture, as well as a brief summary outlining the findings of the preliminary work.
Title: Preliminary Security Initiatives Design
Sector: Security
In tangent with the VPA board submission for the approval of funding for the VACS project, the Port sought to develop a comprehensive security initiatives program. This program expanded to include such security measures as site-wide perimeter fencing, fence integrity monitoring, pedestrian and rail access gates, and comprehensive video surveillance of both the marine and land areas. PBA assisted the Port with the functional design and order of magnitude costing for these initiatives in order to present a thorough funding submission.
Title: LAN and Security Project
Sector: Security
This project involved the design for a gigabit Ethernet LAN connection (wide area network) between the Ballantyne Cruise Ship Facility, VPA Maintenance Office, Vanterm Viewing room, Boat House and Canada Place Terminal Control room and the VPA central office in Granville Square. The design made use of the Port Roads fiber-optic system to allow for connection of the systems. The work included the design of a unique submarine crossing from the Sea Bus terminal to the Canada Place. The design provided for the implementation of the card access system between each of VPA's offices along the Port Roads.
Title: Centerm Truck Gate System
Sector: Ports
This project involved the electrical design of pre gate, main gate and out gate facilities for the Centerm Terminal. The work included the design of the electrical infrastructure for the gates, cameras, signs, card readers, ticket printers, lane signal and camera structures and canopy signals. The entire control system design including interface with the terminal operations software and security system was prepared as part of this assignment.
Title: Centerm Terminal Security and Surveillance System
Sector: Security
This project involved the design of a card access and surveillance system for the Centerm Terminal. The system provides security for the terminal including automated vehicle gates with card access and intercom. The system is designed to provide security access for the trucks arriving through the gate. Card access components are designed to fit with the VPA card access control system. The work included the detailed design of automated vehicle gates and personnel gates, surveillance cameras, telephone system and fibre optic communication system.
Title: Port Surveillance System
Sector: Security
This project involved the electrical and system design for the VPA surveillance system. The system allows VPA to view the port roads from McGill to Canada Place as well as view the truck staging lanes and marine traffic. The system also posts images of the container terminal truck staging lanes to the Internet. The work included the design of a fiber optic communication system, bucket truck survey to verify camera locations, camera selection, design of the underground duct system, electrical design for each site, control station design in Granville Square and camera control software design and testing. Construction supervision for the installation of the underground duct and fiber optic cable from Granville Square to McGill Overpass was also performed by PBA Engineering.
Title: Ballantyne Terminal Security and Surveillance System
Sector: Security
This project involved the design of a security and surveillance system for the Ballantyne Cruise ship facility. The system allows for control and monitoring of access to the terminal from the VPA control room in Canada Place using the port fibre optic control system. The work included the design of surveillance cameras in and outside the facility, card access, and door security including connection to the VPA fibre optic system.
Title: Province Wide Sign Control System
Sector: Systems
This project involved the successful province-wide deployment of PBA's off-the-shelf Cameleon software for the monitoring and control of all changeable message signs in use by the BC Ministry of Transportation. This includes approximately 50 fully dynamic, blankout and warning signs throughout the province.
Title: Truck Control System
Sector: Ports
This project involved the electrical and system design of a truck control system for the Delta Port Terminal. The system was designed to manage the truck access to the terminal by providing priority for trucks with reservations. The system included the design of guide signing, pavement markings, vehicle detection zones, card access reader points, fiber optic communication system, surveillance cameras, intercom system and electrical infrastructure. The work also included the development of software to control the system (on-going).
Title: Roadway Lighting and Signing Installations
Sector: Transportation
PBA has experience with City of Vancouver design and construction standards. We have recently completed the design of traffic signals, lighting and signing for the CN Lands Project, Finning Development Project, Georgia Street Corridor upgrade and the Stanley Park Entrance.
Title: Stanley Park Entrance Redevelopment
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the electrical design for counterflow system and pedestrian and street lighting for the Georgia Street corridor, Stanley Park Entrance, Devonian Pond, and Coal Harbour areas. The signing strategy developed by PBA included a comprehensive plan for integrating multiple user groups, including motorists, buses, pedestrians, cyclists, and rollerbladers.
Title: Pitt River Bridges Counterflow System Project
Sector: Transportation
This project involved the complete design of a traffic counterflow system for the Pitt River swing bridges. This included electrical design, software development, system integration, construction supervision, testing and commissioning, operator and maintenance training, and the development of complete system manuals for a system that includes 117 signal heads, 33 traffic gates, 17 CCTV cameras, 31 custom control cabinets, and 8 changeable message signs.
Title: Pump Stations
Sector: Industrial
This ongoing programming and commissioning project involves the development of custom sewage lift station software for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) throughout the Langford area. A single PLC is installed in each of the lift station kiosks and is programmed to operate pumps based on pressure-sensitive liquid level measurements and mechanical float switches. Included within the scope of this project is the reconfiguration of the graphical Human Machine Interface (HMI), which is used to remotely monitor the real time status of each lift station and generate alarms based on set criteria. Currently monitoring seven sites, the HMI and related PLC development is scheduled to encompass a total of twenty lift station sites in the near future.
Title: Colwood Re-fueling Station
Sector: Industrial
This ongoing project involves the software development of a programmable control system to supervise and control all fuelling operations at this facility. The primary purpose of the facility is refuelling of navy ships and auxiliary vessels with marine distillate and aviation fuel. Secondary operations include fuel transfer and recirculation, compensating water, on-spec fuel and oily-waste water handling. The control system supervises and controls a system comprising 20 pumps, 93 valves, 12 storage tanks and 7 fuel dispensing controllers. The system design includes PLC control of all field devices and an HMI component for system operators, which also includes various trending and reporting capabilities.
Title: Canada Place Security Control Room Upgrade
Sector: Security
This project involved the upgrade of the Canada Place control room to improve efficiency and allow for the expanded security role of the VPA. The control room was designed with sufficient capacity to allow for the monitoring of the Canada Place cruise ship terminal, Ballantyne cruise ship terminal, the VPA's south shore roadway, vehicle access points, container terminals, perimeter security and waterside security. The design included the development of a functional plan, preliminary and detailed design followed by tendering and construction management.
Title: Regional Telecommunications Plan
Sector: Transportation
This project involves the development of a comprehensive plan for a region-wide telecommunications network to support ITS initiatives. Significant project components include an in-depth stakeholder review process; technology evaluation and bandwidth demand forecast; development of business case, sustainability, and governance models; and the development of a preliminary network architecture and deployment strategy.
Title: FSD Shed 5
Sector: Industrial
This project involved the complete electrical design for a 10,000SF office facility and 60,000SF industrial maintenance facility. The overall design included all building services (power distribution, HVAC, security, fire alarm), an integrated security command/control centre, and a central server room. Industrial equipment components incorporated into the design included 600V welders, overhead hoist cranes, compressors, and 480V motor control for crane spreaders.
Title: I -15 Reversible Lane Control System
Sector: Transportation
This project involves the complete replacement of hardware and software controlling the I-15 Reversible Lane Control System. The I-15 RLCS is a four-lane car pool (HOV) facility occupying eight miles of freeway median along Interstate 15 in San Diego. The system is comprised of CMS, gates and pop-up delineators. In addition to the electrical design, construction and programming of the control system hardware components, PBA Engineering is providing the complete software control solution in conjunction with our sister company, 360 Surveillance.
