Integrated Security Flourishes at Taipei Flora Expo

The 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo is the largest exposition ever in Taiwan. The event will run for six months, from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011. Sister publication A&S Taiwan discusses on-site security and challenges with multiple sites.

Taipei was chosen by the International Organization of Horticultural Producers to hold the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition. The Flora Expo covers 91.8 hectares, divided into four major areas and features 14 themed pavilions. The organizers expect roughly 8 million visitors, averaging 40,000 visitors per day.

There will be more than 30 million flowers and plants on display, as well as more than 6,000 performances.

While previous events took place at a single venue, the 2010 Flora Expo takes place in multiple urban parks and waterfronts, making it more difficult to secure entrances and exits. Furthermore, since its theme revolves around environmental protection and greener lifestyles, many venues were designed to be semi-open — adding more variables into the mix.

The 2010 Flora Expo exhibits the largest collection of orchids in the world, as well as many other precious plants that are more than a hundred years old — some even a thousand years old — which are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. To protect these valuable items, organizers sought a large-scale integrated video surveillance system. They also wanted a monitoring solution which could analyze pedestrian flow and monitor critical entrances.

Each night, botanical suppliers inspect or replace flowers after 10 p.m., when the pavilions are closed to the public. This demanded surveillance cameras that could perform well even in low-light conditions.

To ensure the safety of visitors leaving late in the evening, the organizers also wanted emergency response equipment installed in less-populated areas.