Dallas Area Rapid Transit to Increase Security with Cameras

Dallas Area Rapid Transit to Increase Security with Cameras

Safety advocates of Dallas are glad to hear that the largest transit agency in North Texas, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit, will be getting security cameras on board the trains. And it’s going one step further; all the cameras within the transit system are being installed with facial-recognition software.

The DART units will start seeing the installation of these cameras this summer. That’s when the agency will have finished the pilot software that will be used not only to recognize the faces of those aboard the transit unit, but also will monitor train capacity and will alert law enforcement when a wanted person is on a DART.

Officials want to be sensitive to those who are afraid their privacy is being invaded. The software won’t be checking faces against existing law enforcement databases, driver’s license records or anything of the like. It will only be cross checking pictures that DART itself has uploaded to its database.

While DART officials haven’t specifically mentioned who they are looking out for, DART police chief James Spiller said the software will most likely be used when a law enforcement agency sends out alerts of missing or wanted persons.

The technology also has the ability to notify police when people board the trains that are frequent fair evaders or have been banned from a bus route or a train system in the past. It still hasn’t been decided if the software will be used that way, however.

All of the agency’s buses have cameras, and so do the stations at which the trains stop. The agency is making it clear that their intention is to add extra security to the riders by adding cameras to the trains. The agency is spending $4.8 million to outfit 48 of its 163 train cars this year and all trains should be outfitted with cameras by 2018.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.