February 2023 - 32

Security Systems
source of truth in a unified system
if you have some data sources that
don't communicate with other
systems. The ideal scenario is to
have everything operating on the
same software. However, you can
start by bringing data from open
systems into a unified platform.
It's okay to take it slow. Start
by identifying the biggest pain
points, then fix them one at a time.
Trying to do too much becomes
a massive undertaking that can
seem daunting. Like any journey,
take it one step at a time.
For example, if you have three
168396865 | Adobe Stock
The power
of a unified
system is
its ability to
bring data
together from
disparate
systems and
departments
and present
it intuitively.
department of transportation
would consider partnering to reduce
congestion. The more data
you can share, the better view you
have of how people move from
here to there.
Consultants can be useful to facilitate
the conversation. Talking
to vendor representatives can also
be helpful. Take the time to identify
partners who think like you
or who have the same goals you
have. You want everyone at the
table to be motivated to progress
in the same direction.
About the author
Jermaine Santoya
is the industry
marketing manager
for Genetec Inc.
Improving passenger
experience
When onboard systems are connected
to wayside systems, transit
agencies can more easily optimize
how to deploy fleets and reduce
bottlenecks at bus stations, bus
stops and parking lots. Transit
authorities are just beginning to
explore how powerful data from
video analytics, light detection
and ranging and other systems
can be. Some are even experimenting
with predictive analytics,
so they can reroute buses to
respond to anticipated spikes in
demand. This type of use case is
still in the early stages but will
become more advanced soon.
This data can also be used to
improve the passenger experi32
Mass Transit | FEBRUARY 2023
ence. For commuters, knowing
whether a bus or train is late, or
which train car is least crowded,
can make a huge difference in
their day. They want to be able to
quickly check when the next bus
is arriving, pre-pay their fare or
parking fees online or reserve a
parking spot for tomorrow. All
of these outcomes require an
approach to technology built on
non-proprietary open platforms
that allow easy data sharing and
aggregation for analysis.
A unified system can also improve
passengers' and drivers'
sense of personal safety. Staff
and passengers feel more secure
knowing security will respond
quickly and effectively if there's
an incident on board a bus or near
a station. When passengers report
issues, having a record of what
happened on board helps your
team respond to the complaint.
Video recordings, along with
telematics data, can help to sort
through the scenario to determine
what happened.
Making the switch
The first step to transition to a
unified system is to identify any
closed systems you may have and
replace them with solutions that
run on open-architecture platforms.
It's difficult to build a single
similar systems running, could
you move towards harmonizing
them into one shared system?
Some common hardware like
cameras, access control sensors
or door controls may work perfectly
well within your new unified
system.
Look for the quick wins, too.
You may be able to leverage
some technology you already
have. Perhaps you already have
sensors in your subway tunnels
to detect the presence of people
or animals. Data from those sensors
could be useful for security,
operations, maintenance teams
and even law enforcement.
Technology can also enable
policy solutions. For example, if
you have automatic license plate
recognition cameras in parking
lots, you could add analytics to
get a better picture of how many
people use those lots and create
new incentives based on that.
You could even designate a row
of parking spots close to the station
for carpooling and use video
analytics to enforce this.
Technology is always advancing.
Internet-connected sensors are
being added to monitor air quality,
keep track of battery levels on
electric vehicles and even monitor
driving behavior to ensure safety.
More data and new possibilities
will be available in the future. An
open-architecture security system
allows you to add new features as
they become available.
February 2023

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