With security solutions, intelligent transportation no longer so out-of-reach

Security solutions, supported with cutting-edge cameras, video analytics, and PA systems, have enhanced public transportation safety and intelligence, said Ravinder Singh, Deputy President of Corporate and Market Development at Singapore Technologies Electronics.

High-resolution cameras are increasingly deployed on metro systems in Asia as well as the rest of the world. “They can act as visual sensors of situations, providing invaluable surveillance information to the operators and other agencies on the conditions within a train as well as within the stations,” Singh said. “The images from a moving train are transmitted to the operations control center (OCC) by a dedicated secure wireless LAN network. Thus the operators at the operations control center have complete visibility of the conditions within the stations as well as the trains.”

Video analytics is also more effective with cameras that deliver high-quality images. “The introduction of high megapixel cameras, efficient computation capability and highly efficient compression technology has made video analytics more reliable and accurate with more detailed information provided by the high resolution pictures/video footages,” Singh said. “The images captured by cameras can be processed and analyzed for ‘telltale’ suspicious signs such as unattended baggage and suspicious persons.”

Another vital piece of equipment is the PA system, which is usually interfaced with the fire alarm system to generate the necessary fire alerts and evacuation messages automatically. “The PA system on trains is usually connected to the control center via a digital radio system to enable the OCC to make audio announcements remotely,” he said.