Leveraging Technology Over the Road

Enhancing transit security for safer and smarter systems

Transportation is an essential industry that enables goods and products to be transported efficiently and effectively across state and country lines. However, the transportation industry is not immune to security incidents. Transit authorities, including railway and rapid transit stations, must deploy comprehensive solutions to create safer environments for passengers and staff.

The increased risk of security incidents worldwide has propelled the need for enhanced security protocols amid increased public pressure. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that travel volume increased to near pre-pandemic levels in 2021. With approximately 1.6 million passengers screened per day, the need to protect travelers and staff is critical. Transit authorities require comprehensive protection to ensure the highest level of security.

Video surveillance is a crucial tool that transit authorities can use to improve security protocols. In many deployments today, video management software is used as the backbone of comprehensive security command systems that support thousands of cameras. Other advanced solutions, such as video analytics, access control and emergency communication tools, work with video to ease high availability and resiliency to all systems.

While more cameras lead to more data, transportation staff continuously search for ways to use this information for better insight, detection and awareness. Emerging technologies like machine learning and video analytics can vastly improve accuracy, allowing stakeholders to make continued operational improvements. At the same time, transit authorities must ensure the highest security of the data collected and protect network-enabled solutions from cyber threats.

Aside from making systems safer, transit stations can use technology that can be leveraged to increase operational efficiencies and build more robust business processes. Video data can be used to evaluate current processes, such as ticketing, or help retail stores within the facility reduce theft. Mobile video applications can support staff in the field, making operations more efficient and reducing queue lengths.

Ensuring the safety and security of passengers has always been a significant concern for transit system operators. With intelligent infrastructure, trusted IT processes, and advanced video surveillance platforms, operators can create safer, more intelligent transit systems.

Containerized VMS is becoming an essential technology that transit authorities can use to improve security protocols and modernize video management. A container is a lightweight executable that runs on any infrastructure and is created by packaging software code with the operating system and dependencies required to run the code. Containerization bundles the application code with the required configuration files, libraries and dependencies.

This "container" can run on any platform or cloud by itself. Pre-configured and installed prerequisites are needed for containerized VMS solutions functionality, and no additional frameworks or database software are necessary. Deployments of these systems need less retrofitting and communication across enterprise servers because they do not have separate server requirements.

Containerization is a popular technology used in IT environments to package and deploy applications, providing a lightweight and portable solution for software deployment. Containerization enables developers to create consistent and reproducible environments for their applications. Containers are isolated from each other and from the host system, providing a secure and controlled runtime environment. This isolation ensures that applications running within containers do not interfere with each other and helps prevent conflicts between different software dependencies.

Containerization also promotes scalability and resource efficiency. Containers can be rapidly deployed and scaled horizontally to manage varying levels of workload. Each container can run multiple instances of an application, allowing for efficient use of system resources.

Additionally, containerization platforms often include orchestration tools that automate the management of containerized applications, making it easier to scale, monitor and manage large deployments. Containers also enable the adoption of microservices architectures, where applications are broken down into smaller, loosely coupled components running in separate containers. This approach promotes modularity, scalability and easier maintenance of complex applications.

Containerized VMS is an ideal solution for transit authorities that need a comprehensive and secure system. The technology can provide an intelligent and data-driven approach to security management and response, allowing for a quicker and more effective response to security incidents. The use of containerized VMS can also help transit authorities investigate equipment breakdowns, diagnose operational problems, and monitor device health, allowing operations within the command center to act quickly.

As the world continues to evolve and new security threats emerge, transit authorities must remain vigilant and adapt to meet the challenges ahead. By leveraging intelligent infrastructure, trusted IT processes, and advanced video surveillance platforms, transit authorities can create safer and more intelligent transit systems. Ultimately, these efforts will improve safety for passengers and staff, increase operational efficiencies, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the transportation industry.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2023 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3

  • XS4 Original+

    XS4 Original+

    The SALTO XS4 Original+ design is based on the same proven housing and mechanical mechanisms of the XS4 Original. The XS4 Original+, however, is embedded with SALTO’s BLUEnet real-time functionality and SVN-Flex capability that enables SALTO stand-alone smart XS4 Original+ locks to update user credentials directly at the door. Compatible with the array of SALTO platform solutions including SALTO Space data-on-card, SALTO KS Keys as a Service cloud-based access solution, and SALTO’s JustIn Mobile technology for digital keys. The XS4 Original+ also includes RFID Mifare DESFire, Bluetooth LE and NFC technology functionality. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3