Video Analytics Solutions for Transportation Services

Copyright (c) 2008 Wes Fernley

In a world where terrorism remains a very real threat, where theft, vandalism and other crimes are all too common, security for transportation services has never been more important. Whether it be airline, bus or rail, providers of mass transportation need to ensure that their transportation services are secure, both for their own safety and that of their customers. Video analytics technology can be a powerful tool in providing security solutions for this industry.

Video Analytics and Intelligent Video

In the past, security video was somewhat limited. Live people had to be on site in order to monitor security feeds, and feeds had to be monitored constantly in case something occurred. Security camera does little good in preventing crimes at the time of occurrence if there is no one there to catch the occurrence on the security monitor.

With new advances in technology, however, this is all changing. With the use of new video analytics software, also called intelligent video, owners have more power than ever before in the operation of their video security. One of the many advantages of these new security systems is remote access: security systems can be accessed 24/7 from any computer with Internet access. Powerful and multi-level security systems help maintain the program's internal security, so only authorized personnel have access.

What makes video analytics so "intelligent" is its ability to analyze video in real-time. Video analytics software can differentiate different objects in an image, differentiate people from their surroundings, detect motion, recognize objects, even recognize faces! These analyses can then be used in a number of different ways for the enhancement of your transportation security efforts.

Video Analytics Solutions for Transportation Security

For bus and rail, security systems need to be able to operate both at stations and on the vehicles themselves as they travel. Video Analytics software can work in any environment, stationary or mobile. Their powerful analysis tools are always running, and the options are quite open-ended for how to use them.

The most common application is use in alarms and automatic notifications. Should something out of the ordinary occur, such as someone entering a bus terminal after hours, or unauthorized personnel entering restricted areas, the video analytics software will pick up on the intrusion, can activate alarms on-site as well as providing e-mail or other notification to all required personnel so that they can take immediate and appropriate action.

At airports especially, but also at bus and train stations, another worry is unwatched luggage. Video analytics software can actually pick up on objects which have been left unmoved for a certain period of time, and send alarms and notifications based on events such as this as well. With the right hardware, the software can also be used to activate other systems upon alarm: such as turning lights on or off, locking or unlocking doors and more.

The Benefits of Video Analytics Security Solutions

The use of video analytics or intelligent video software can greatly increase safety for your transportation service. Whether it be rail, bus line or airport, the right software can do a lot of good in helping to prevent crime. The increased safety will be noticed by customers and increase customer satisfaction.

In addition, while you are working to make your transportation service more secure, your video analytics software can do more for you. Analyze traffic flow patterns, density paths, peak busy periods and much more. This data can then be used to improve service by properly scheduling staff to meet with peak hours, or even simply with placing staff in the proper places to make your service more efficient for your customers.