An ailment that is widespread throughout Latin America is insecurity in public transport, a situation that has forced us to take actions to correct this situation, precisely video surveillance has been one of the elements that has become part of the solution.
by Santiago Jaramillo H.
In the different scenarios in which public transport fulfills its primary function, driving citizens to their places of origin or destination, call it, bus, plane, metro, maritime transport, etc., there is a recurring problem that undoubtedly worries the bulk of the countries of the Latin American region, security.
This is due to the fact that millions of people are mobilized daily through these means, which makes the prevention, identification and subsequent prosecution of the crimes that are presented even more complicated. After this statement, video surveillance is broken down as a solution that has been collaborating with enormous effectiveness in this regard.
Another benefit that also entails the implementation of this type of systems, apart from greater real security, is the feeling of security and deterrence in their transport systems.
With real-time surveillance, it is also now possible to make an informed decision with full knowledge of what is happening, and in this way know how to respond appropriately to each incident.
A specific case of this situation was recently announced by the Government of the Federal District of Mexico, which indicated that through the implementation of programs, such as video surveillance cameras, the Metro of this town had reduced the incidence of crime by 44%.
Since while in 2008 there were 827 robberies, by 2011 the number decreased to 415. Meanwhile, sexual abuse went from 341 cases in 2008 to 288 in 2011.
In this regard, the director of the STC, Francisco Bojórquez Hernández, reported that 3,404 cameras are at the service of users in its facilities (platforms, corridors, turnstiles, correspondences), and 1,900 cameras inside the L-1 and L-2 trains.
In addition, there is a Central Monitoring Post and 21 Monitoring Centers and 5 thousand alarm buttons, in addition to the possibility of sensorization to detect intruders (elimination of cable theft) and image recognition.
Francisco Bojórquez also pointed out that complementing video surveillance with other security devices helps even more in the decrease in the incidence of crime. An example of this is that the Mexico City Metro is the third safest in the world, as considered by the Metro Coordination Network, only surpassed by the Paris and Beijing Metro.
Precisely on this junctural moment Patrik Anderson, global director of business development in the Transport Area of Axis Communications, spoke with SECURITY SALES about how network video solutions help transport entities improve operational efficiency and protect passengers, workers and heritage.
V.D.S.: Public transport authorities are beginning to replace analogue surveillance technology with digital surveillance. Why?
P.A.: Every time we see that more entities in charge of transport implement network video solutions. The fact that images are created, stored and transmitted in digital format makes them available in real time.
Therefore, instead of using video surveillance after an incident has taken place, now transport authorities can connect all their security cameras in stations, parking lots, trains, buses, etc. with the security center.
They can watch live images in HDTV quality coming from any camera at any time and share them with intervention resources, police and authorities. This enables efficient detection, prioritization, response and investigation of the many and diverse incidents that take place on a daily basis in a transport network.
V.D.S.: Can you give an example?
P.A.: In the past, when investigating an incident on the transport network, investigators had to spend hours locating and then viewing videotape footage. With the digital system they can find the files with the relevant images almost immediately.
Using a centralized video surveillance system with real-time functions means that incidents such as theft, vandalism or invasion of property are detected in time and can be evaluated in the security center thanks to live video as events occur. Authorities can respond to the incident with appropriate resources.
V.D.S.: What role does Axis play in this shift to the digital system?
P.A.: Together with our partners, we offer accredited, reliable, scalable and future-oriented surveillance solutions. We offer specific cameras for various parts of the transport system: inside buses and trains, in stations, terminals and parking lots, as well as throughout the infrastructure.
We have vibration-resistant onboard cameras and recorders and aggression-proof indoor and outdoor cameras. Our most current products include thermal and low-light cameras that allow the detection of people and vehicles totally in the dark. These products provide new forms of perimeter protection and an effective tool against metal theft, graffiti and intrusion into tunnels.
All this means that our customers in the transport sector can now more easily install centralised and real-time surveillance systems, so in essence we make possible a new level of safety in public transport.
V.D.S.: How do transport authorities and operators benefit?
P.A.: All the authorities we have worked with in the world have benefited from greater real security and a sense of security in their transport systems. Surveillance systems have helped them attract more passengers, minimize service interruptions and reduce expenses for vandalism and metal theft.
Millions of passengers travel every day in the largest transport systems in which hundreds of incidents take place. With real-time surveillance, it is now possible to make an informed decision on how to respond appropriately to each incident, as well as make passengers and workers feel safe.
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