Chicago Transit Authority Pilots Mobile Security Network
The Chicago (IL) Transit Authority (CTA) recently launched a pilot program to test a mobile security network, aimed at improving safety and security on CTA’s bus and rail system.
The pilot program, which began in mid-December 2006, allows CTA buses to transmit live video to Chicago Police Department Public Transportation cars and CTA supervisory vehicles. By providing the CTA with a real-time viewing of buses and rail stations, emergency personnel can be quickly alerted about incidents requiring their assistance and can arrive with the right equipment to the scene.
Specifically, 40 buses will be equipped with the system. In addition, 13 transit police vehicles, CTA’s Incident Command bus, CTA supervisory vehicles, select rail stations, and two bus garages will be outfitted with the technology as part of the pilot program.
Using wireless transmitters connected to the existing security cameras located on buses, the CTA can send images to nearby vehicles equipped with receivers and monitors. Personnel in the vehicles will then be able to view activity occurring on the bus or at the rail station as it happens. The images can also be transmitted to the CTA Control Center for viewing via the CTA’s existing fiber-optic communications network.
The CTA is testing the mobile security network for a six-month period. The network is designed to assist emergency personnel in assessing a situation more quickly and provide CTA operators with information on the flow of customer traffic and service levels.
To steer the initiative, the CTA partnered with IBM Corp., which provided design, development, and technology integration services for the project.
For more information about IBM, visit www.ibm.com.
Abstracted from Market Wire Newsletter (12/18/06); Source: IBM Corp.