December 2007

Common Technology Combinations

Security cameras can be paired with many other technologies to create an effective security system. These technologies include radio communications, silent alarms, covert microphones, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras (video surveillance), and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL). Security cameras can assist transit agencies in monitoring and responding to situations onboard vehicles and at transit facilities; they can also be used in incident response.

On-Vehicle Surveillance
On-vehicle surveillance can be used to observe criminals, increasing the chances of arrest if a crime has taken place on a transit system. Complex remote monitoring can pair security systems with GPS or AVL to pinpoint exactly where an incident has occurred.

Station/Facility Surveillance
CCTV can be used as a safety and security precaution to monitor transit stations and facilities. Combined with other monitoring devices, such as perimeter fencing or motion detectors, this can help to determine if an alert from a fence is an actual security breach or simply an animal setting off the alarm. Use of security cameras with fiber-optic cables and digital technology allows images from multiple locations to be transmitted to a central location for monitoring and storage.

Incident Response
Incident-response technology can pair security cameras with AVL to connect dispatchers, drivers, and supervisors and help them to coordinate activities after an incident has taken place. This helps to locate vehicles immediately afterward.