Nov 06, 2015

Video surveillance has played an increasingly significant role in keeping day-to-day mass transit operations running smoothly. For example, in October, San Francisco officially implemented the Transit-Only Lane Enforcement program, which uses video surveillance to remotely ticket double parkers. The purpose of TOLE is to help alleviate congestion along public transit routes, especially for morning commuters. The initial pilot program exhibited stellar results: Transportation times were reduced by approximately 20 percent for hundreds of thousands of commuters.

The importance of airport video surveillance

It's not just the roadways that are need of constant monitoring and maintenance. Airports, like other forms of mass transit, are subject to strict security regulations designed to keep cohorts of travelers safe on a daily basis. A lot hinges upon successful execution of these security tactics.

This is especially true in the United States, which is home to the top 10 airports for connections in the world, according to the OAG's Megahubs Index, released in October. Hartfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta was ranked as the most connected air transit hub, immediately followed by Chicago O'Hare and Dallas/Ft. Worth. With so much traffic passing through these and other U.S. airports, video surveillance is as important as surveillance for public transit on the ground, if not more important.

The most dire threat airport video surveillance aims to mitigate is terrorism. Airports in U.S. are massive revolving doors through which many millions of travelers pass through every single day. Keeping these passengers safe is the top priority, and the inability to do so can have far-reaching implications. Video surveillance is just one among multiple tactics used by TSA and airport management to ensure the safety of travelers. 

Smoothing out day-to-day operations

On a day-to-day basis, airport video surveillance is employed for a breadth of other important reasons. For example, it can help staff look out for loiterers or thieves, and locate lost items. It can also help reunite lost children with their parents, or identify where someone has fallen down. International airports are frenetic environments where a lot can happen on any given day, and these might not necessarily be related to national security. In addition to helping keep travelers safe, video surveillance allows airport management to more effectively oversee daily operations to ensure that efficiency is optimized. 

Reliability is key

Regardless of how video surveillance is employed – for law enforcement, smart city implementation, building security or to monitor the comings and goings of millions of people in international airports – reliability is essential. Keeping cameras up and running is extremely important for effective security monitoring in all large transportation hubs, but especially international airports. A solution that won't quit unexpectedly is of the utmost importance. 

Explore Firetide's online resources to learn more about how to enhance the reliability of video surveillance systems.