Video Surveillance for Public Transportation
Video surveillance is a great security solution for transportation security. With public security threats at an all time high, security cameras on buses and subways can help protect innocent citizens from terrorist attacks and help maintain a safe and secure transportation environment
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Benefits of Public Transit Surveillance
- Prevent vandalism – One problem many cities face is constant vandalism, especially at stations and on buses and subways. Prominent video surveillance cameras can prevent vandals from defacing property and buses with graffiti. Security cameras can also be used to help identify repeat offenders.
- Prevent violence and crime – Public transportation has been a target for terrorists in recent years – bomb scares have been reported in New York City subways and the underground in London has been in a constant state of alert since their transit system experienced an attack in 2005. Subways and subway stations are also popular mugging or pick pocketing locations in larger cities. A comprehensive video surveillance system can help you reduce crime or theft opportunities, and can be useful in identifying theft, violence, gang activity or other suspicious behavior so it may be stopped.
- Ease of use - Even the most large and complex public transportation network is easy to monitor with video surveillance. Advances in technology have made it easy for surveillance systems to have multiple types of footage that is centrally monitored
Risks of Security Cameras on Public Transportation
- Privacy – In order to protect the security of your passengers and employees, keep surveillance cameras in public spaces like on buses or subways and in stations and out of restrooms and employee break rooms. Check your local laws to see if you may record your drivers and operators during working hours.
- Theft/Vandalism – Cameras may appear to thieves as easy targets for theft or vandalism. A stolen camera can leave your bus or subway more susceptible to crime.
Configuration of Mass Transit Video Surveillance
Transit systems vary widely depending on a number of different factors – size of city, density, size of transit network, type of transportation (bus, subway, trolley, tram…), etc. Use the following questions to assist you when purchasing and configuring your security system:
- What do you consider to be your most important security concern?
- Where have you experienced the most problems with theft? Vandalism? Violence?
- Do you have late night hours?
- What kind of security system do you currently have in place?
- How are your stations arranged?
- Must passengers have tickets to enter the boarding area (through turnstiles or other methods of access control)
- Is fare verified on board?
Setup Advice for Transportation Security Systems
- When placing cameras on board buses, subways and other forms of transportation, make sure all seats and entrances are in the range of the camera.
- Place cameras at the entrances and exits of each station to record each passenger's face.