Jul 16, 2015

Mesh networks are an alternative to traditional ones and are stronger in many ways. With mesh, every point in the network can become an access node, so these provide a more secure system than traditional networks that could shut down if a central node were to go offline. For that reason, video surveillance networks benefit from utilizing mesh – because if one point goes down, it doesn’t compromise the integrity of the entire system, allowing seamless, continuous video surveillance to take place.

Wireless networks are important for the continued success of today’s society, because so many things depend on speedy communication and wireless access. In this vein, public transportation can benefit from using mesh networks in many ways. From augmenting surveillance systems to helping speed up the maintenance process in rail yards, mesh networks provide the tools for transit authorities to keep cities’ public transit systems safe.

Use cases: The CTA and SMRT
Earlier this year, the Chicago Transit Authority implemented wireless mesh networks at its rail yards to help with ongoing maintenance on the train cars. Until utilizing mesh, the CTA had conducted manual inspections on the cars, reporting defects, taking mileage readings and ordering repairs. However, the new process drastically cuts the time from these inspections and allows the CTA to monitor its assets with video, as well. Workers use handheld devices to quickly scan and report details from the field using a mesh network. This helps the city keep its assets safe and makes processes easier.

When using these kinds of solutions, train cars maintain a steady stream of communication with operations centers, which can help estimate arrival times and provide important information in the event of emergencies or slowdowns. Tracking apps can alsoprovide more accurate location data of the trains when mesh networks are used, according to TMCnet​ contributor Robert Schena.

Another metro system that benefited from the implementation of mesh networks was that of Seoul, South Korea. Firetide helped the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation add a video surveillance network to defend against events like the subway fire that took the lives of 168 people in 2003.

Networks are stronger because of mesh
Mesh networks are essentially better than traditional systems due to their added level of dynamic flexibility, according to Wired contributor Primavera de Filippi. What this basically means is that in a traditional network, if the central access point is taken out, the entire interconnected field of nodes can experience an outage. Not so with mesh. In addition to offering flexibility in the event of a network outage, these kinds of systems can also heal themselves by linking to other available wireless nodes, according to Schena. This allows transit authorities to maintain video surveillance of the entire train system without having to halt service to fix a node in an emergency.

To learn more about how wireless mesh networks can help augment public transport systems and keep our cities safe, contact Firetide today.