Each city is unique but there are certain common technical issues that systems integrators (SI) usually encounter in implementing city-wide surveillance projects. According to Ferry Chung, VP of the Smart and Safe City Center of Excellence at NCS, there are mainly two challenges: ensuring that there is sufficient bandw
Each city is unique but there are certain common technical issues that systems integrators (SI) usually encounter in implementing city-wide surveillance projects. According to Ferry Chung, VP of the Smart and Safe City Center of Excellence at NCS, there are mainly two challenges: ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth connectivity for data transmission and the management of massive amounts of structured and unstructured data.
Bandwidth Constraints
The amount of traffic a system can transmit is an important consideration or area of concern for any video surveillance system. With limited network bandwidths, video stream quality will become adversely affected, leading to low-resolution videos, choppy videos (or even freezing), and video artifacts. The rising availability of TCP/IP network protocols have enabled law enforcement agencies to broaden the applications of their city surveillance systems by allowing the information gathered to be shared and used by multiple agencies; nevertheless, the full potential of these IP systems will not be realized when they are hampered by bandwidth constraints.
For NCS, it is important not to discount unconventional means to accommodate this increased need. “The demand for bandwidth will always be on the rise. There is a need to diversify dependency on the core network and to leverage alternative networks, such as low-powered network and TV white space, while ensuring heterogeneous operation across the various communication platforms,” said Chung.
The right security system design can also help with lowering the bandwidth needed for optimal performance. Compared to a classic client server design, a distributed network architecture will allow for local management of security needs at each site, while at the same time, allowing these sites to synchronize with a central hub, making it a viable solution to bandwidth shortages.
“With a distributed network architecture, powerful central servers are not required as network traffic flow to and from multiple control rooms are minimized; thus, minimizing network bandwidth, which is limited and costly in city-wide installation projects,” commented Jen Huei Chong, Sales Manager at Integrated Choice. “Managed synchronization of static configuration data across the network means data is only sent on the few occasions there is a change. Even then, it can be scheduled to avoid peak bandwidth times. Distributed storage for live recording and alarm data means the required overall WAN bandwidth is much lower.”
Massive Data Analysis and Use
Video surveillance is a vital part of any security system; however, the information it provides is largely unstructured and the sheer volume of it is enough to overwhelm anyone who would need to keep pace with and analyze this endless source of data. “The capturing of video information is fantastic but it is also pointless if the information is not actionable,” commented Patrick Lim, Director of Group Sales and Marketing at Ademco Security Group.
“Video analytics does help but a more holistic approach is needed. Many projects are now utilizing many types of sensors, data collection methods, and devices not just to detect but also to predict, manage, and prevent incidents such as crimes, accidents, and even traffic congestion from occurring, as well as to assist in public safety management,” added Lim.
Intelligent video surveillance systems can be used to enhance situational awareness and operational responsiveness. These typically entails front-end sensors and a platform that is capable of organizing and integrating this flow of data across various systems into actionable intelligence.
“One of NCS' notable solutions is ‘smart policing.' Leveraging predictive and prescriptive analytics algorithms, smart policing engines are able to predict where and when certain crimes will be committed. These insights help law enforcers to understand where certain types of crimes are most likely to occur so that they can easily pre-plan and optimize their resources on the ground accordingly,” said Chung.
Growing Role of Systems Integrators
The availability and development of technologies such as IP networks are increasing the range and application of city surveillance projects. SIs have become, and will even become more of, an integral part of these projects as greater interoperability would be required to allow these different networks to work together to provide government authorities with what they need to create safer cities in the future.