Transit Security & Surveillance Best Practices
Table of Contents About Seon
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The importance of a proactive approach to transit safety
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By Lori Jetha
Reducing the risk of operator assaults
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By Lori Jetha
Calculating the ROI of transit surveillance
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By Lori Jetha
The key to video surveillance implementation success
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By Lori Jetha
Preparing for emergencies: The latest in surveillance technology
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By Lori Jetha
Operator assault prevention: Training and best practices
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By Lori Jetha
Hybrid DVRs: Preserving your security investment
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By Lori Jetha
Enhancing driver visibility – removing the deadly blind spot 18 By Lori Jetha
Practical tips for better video management
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By Lori Jetha
Video integration: the secret sauce
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By Lori Jetha
Accident prevention: 4 safety improvement technologies you should consider
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By Lori Jetha
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ABOUT SEON Consistently ranked #1 in mobile video for the bus and coach industry in the IHS Group bi-annual report on mobile video surveillance, Seon helps make public transportation safer and more secure for operators, passengers and pedestrians. Our products are designed in-house, rigorously tested, purpose-built for the transit environment with proven reliability. In business since 1999, Seon has sold over 250,000 surveillance systems to over 5,000 public transit and school districts throughout North America. As part of the Safe Fleet family of brands since 2014, Seon has the expertise and productbreadth to enhance fleet safety and productivity. Our video technology has proven to help transit agencies proactively monitor passenger and operator safety and reduce the effort and expense of on-board incident investigations. In this eBook Working with customers in transportation industry for more than 17 years, we have helped many address the security needs of their business, prevent common safety issues, minimize risks and avoid liabilities. We’ve analyzed the results of each project, looking real life scenarios to uncover best practices. One key contributor to a successful safety track record is proactive approach to transit safety. By preparing for issues in advance and using the right technology, transportation teams can respond to emergencies faster and even avoid them, resolve complaints, and prevent long investigations. In this eBook, we would like to share expert insights and best practices that will help you increase safety and security of your passengers and operators, keep your fleet operations under control, and reduce costs of onboard incident investigations.
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Security & Surveillance Technology is a key part of a proactive approach to safety.
The importance of a proactive approach to transit safety By Lori Jetha
A transit operator once told me: “When people board our buses they come with different expectations for the quality of our service, but everyone expects their ride to be safe.” So how do agencies make sure they are delivering on that most basic of expectations? The answer: a proactive approach to transit safety. Anticipate, assess, and prioritize Being proactive means first dedicating the time and resources to anticipate common safety issues and to accurately assess needs and risks. Although this may seem time-consuming, a little up-front planning can identify areas of concern and help minimize, or even avoid, future risk. On the flip side, being reactive and waiting for an incident to occur may mean that agencies don’t actually have the tools or resources to efficiently resolve or address it. This can lead to longer resolution times, customer and employee dissatisfaction, and greater long-term costs. Make a list of all foreseeable safety risks and then determine their frequency and cost to the organization. Costs might include labor involved in investigating an issue, repair costs, legal costs or lost work hours. This will help an agency assign a relative priority to determine where to focus its efforts. Agencies may list vandalism, on-board crime and operator assaults as top issues, but the frequency of operator attacks may have risen recently and resulted in union grievances, lawsuits and lost work hours. The increase in frequency and cost makes it the highest priority. The recipe for a proactive approach to transit safety The perfect recipe for a proactive approach to transit safety requires three essential ingredients: policies, education and technology. Blended together, they result in a comprehensive security plan. It’s essential to not miss any key ingredient for the best possible result. Agencies may not always be able to prevent security situations, but by preparing for these issues in advance (using these three key ingredients), they can respond to them more quickly and avoid a prolonged and expensive investigation. Developing the right policies Policies might include a code of conduct to address safety issues and guide passenger-driver interactions, or a fare collection policy 4
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that minimizes the risk of operator assault. Doug Mosher, Halifax Metro’s manager of transit security, recommends operators act as Fare Informers, instead of Fare Enforcers, as a way to ensure that conflicts over fare payment don’t lead to operator assaults. Training staff Operator training is important in the prevention of operator assaults. Conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques can be especially useful to defuse emotionally charged situations so that assaults are prevented. Bill Parsons, personal safety expert at Roadworthy Communications, recommends a comprehensive communication, safety and customer service program rolled into one. This type of program gives operators an effective set of tools to mitigate and manage conflict by influencing the decisions that riders make in subtle but noticeable ways. Using technology Technology also plays an important part in preventing, responding to, and investigating operator assaults. Having operators point to the surveillance cameras and remind unruly passengers that they are being recorded, can actually help prevent an operator attack. When an assault is happening, a driver-triggered panic alarm in conjunction with live vehicle tracking can alert security staff, help them quickly locate the vehicle, and dispatch emergency services and engage law enforcement. Security staff can even tap into installed bus cameras to monitor the situation using live video streaming. By proactively installing the right on-board technologies, agencies can also significantly reduce the cost of assault investigations by reducing the labor involved in the investigation and mitigating any legal repercussions. Recorded video of an assault can provide clear, indisputable evidence of the events leading up to the attack and can help apprehend and prosecute the perpetrator. Operator assault is just one important transit safety issue that can be addressed with a proactive approach. Take a moment to consider your pressing safety issues, whether you are being proactive or reactive, and what blend of policy, education and technology will ensure you meet customer expectations. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based in Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
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CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY Find out how video surveillance helped BC Transit increase driver and passenger safety and reduce liability and investigation costs.
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Reducing the risk of operator assaults By Lori Jetha Daily news headlines tell a horrifying tale of drivers being slapped, punched, kicked and even stabbed while trying to complete their daily routes. The nature of their job, working alone, with the public, collecting money in a small confined space, puts them at risk. Operator assaults have increased by 31 percent over the last six years according to the National Transit Database (NTD). These assaults can have a lasting financial impact on the transit system. Lost work hours, absenteeism, worker’s compensation claims, and lawsuits are just the beginning, and can lead to loss of public confidence in the safety of the transit system, decreased ridership, and ultimately reduced fare box collections. To mitigate these significant risks, there are five things every transit agency should be doing to reduce the risk of operator assault. Conflict de-escalation training Many assaults on bus operators are related to fare disputes or enforcement of bus rules. They often start as a verbal exchange which can quickly turn into a violent attack. Many of these assaults can easily be prevented by incorporating conflict de-escalation techniques in regular customer service training for bus operators. Bill Parsons of Roadworthy Communications recommends a comprehensive communication, safety and customer service program all rolled into one. This type of program gives the operator an effective set of tools and techniques to mitigate conflict and manage it when it arises, by influencing the decisions that riders make in very subtle but noticeable ways. On-board security technology Video surveillance is considered one of the most effective ways to protect operators from assaults according to a survey conducted by the Transportation Research Board and summarized in TCRP Synthesis 93. Simply pointing out the presence of video cameras and signage warning passengers they may be recorded has helped countless bus operators to prevent conflict from escalating into violence. As a leading provider of video surveillance technology, Seon has seen results of a combination of video and audio surveillance and a driver panic alarm. When an assault is anticipated, the driver presses a panic alarm to mark the surveillance footage for future review, or if the bus is equipped with real-time transmission technology, the alarm can alert transit security who can tap into the installed bus cameras to monitor the situation in real-time. Having a camera placed over the driver’s shoulder pointing at the stepwell of the front entrance of the bus will capture fare box interaction and help identify assailants, while a camera placed by the front door pointing at the driver will capture the entire driver-passenger interaction leading up to an assault.
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Launching a public awareness campaign Capturing an assault on video is just the first step in reducing the future risk of assault for other operators. The public needs to receive the message that all assaults on operators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Key to a public awareness strategy is publicizing key arrests and penalties received for operator assaults to discourage future transgressions. Many transit agencies have also seen success by launching public awareness campaigns to inform the public of appropriate bus behavior and the penalties for assault against a bus operator. Lobbying for tougher penalties Essential to the public message against operator assaults is an adequate penalty for the offense. The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) saw recent success of its lobbying efforts for tougher penalties for bus operator assaults with the introduction of Bill-221 into law this past March. The bill amends the criminal code to require a court to consider the fact that, if the victim of an assault is a public transit operator, it must be considered an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of sentencing by a judge. The new law is supported by a new advertising campaign for bus stops across Canada to help spread the message that assaults against operators could land perpetrators in jail. Tracking operator assaults Every agency should have a procedure and system in place to report assaults and track their frequency. This data is important in justifying security upgrades and demonstrating the effectiveness of any initiatives to reduce assaults. Without a benchmark, any improvements or worsening of the situation can’t be measured. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based in Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
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Calculating the ROI of transit surveillance By Lori Jetha
Safety and security are at the core of every successful transit system operation, but when it comes time to cough up the money to upgrade surveillance equipment, it can often be difficult to secure funding. Getting the budget for an upgrade is usually the first hurdle to taking a proactive approach to passenger and operator safety. Money always talks. Supporting your request with a return on investment calculation (ROI) can be very convincing. This shows exactly what improvements and cost reductions can be achieved through investment in the latest security technology with real dollars and cents. It helps to start with a basic model for calculating the return on investment to convince key funding contributors and decision-makers. Here is a step-by-step guide we have developed to help transit agencies measure their own ROI. Step 1: Quantify security risks One of the best places to start is by making a list of problem areas, or the biggest security risk in terms of time and finances. For a lot of agencies, this is fraudulent injury or accident claims. For others, it might be vandalism such as graffiti or seat destruction, increasing crime rates, or driver assaults. Try to put together as comprehensive a list as possible. It may be surprising to see how a few small things can add up to make a big impact. Step 2: Collect historical data to create a benchmark The next step is collecting historical cost data to create a baseline. Use actual data to establish credibility. For example, to create a benchmark for fraudulent injury claims, collect data such as the average number of claims by type, the average claim payout, the number of claims settled vs. dismissed, and the hours spent investigating claims. For onboard crime, consider the average number of crimes by type, average cost of repairs, and the cost of taking the bus out of service to perform repairs. Consult risk management, legal or human resources departments to collect this data. It helps to calculate the monthly costs in order to establish a payback period. You can be as detailed or as general as your agency allows or time permits. Step 3: Set goals and objectives for the upgrade Once data is compiled, the next step is to set some realistic and feasible goals and outcomes for the surveillance system upgrade. Take the same data collected in the last step and determine which of these costs can be reduced or eliminated after the security upgrade. 8
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In Synthesis 93 (released by the Transportation Research Board) Coast Mountain Bus Company estimated that they reduced operator assaults by 40.2 percent between 2006 and 2009 and they attribute that success to the deployment of AVL, advanced communications and video surveillance equipment on their buses. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their recent report on Commercial Vehicle On-Board Video Systems estimates that having on-board video equipment together with operator training programs can result in a 20-35 percent reduction in the number of vehicle accidents. Step 4: Do the math Now it’s time to do the math. First tally up the current monthly costs and then subtract the projected costs after equipment is installed to calculate the monthly cost savings. Then use the calculation below to determine your payback period:
Halifax Transit was featured in a recent case study citing a payback period of 18 months for a $2 million investment in Seon video surveillance technology, mainly attributed to a reduction in on-board crime and easier claim investigation. Regina Transit claims their video systems decrease accident investigation times and have significantly reduced the number of assaults and crimes on board. Take those numbers and calculate the ROI over the optimal operating period of a typical camera system (five years). Subtract the costs of the upgrade from the savings anticipated from the investment and divide that by the investment cost to calculate the ROI percentage. With this, you have a very powerful business case, spelled out in dollars and cents, to bring to your board or decision-making committee to justify your continued investment in transit security. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
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A GUIDE TO CALCULATING ROI This Slideshare presentation will help you measure the ROI of video surveillance and justify funding.
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The key to video surveillance implementation success By Lori Jetha
Video surveillance technology can be an important tool to address security and liability issues on public transit, but an equipment purchase alone is not enough to ensure success. Once a transit agency has calculated the ROI of their surveillance upgrade (see the August Installment of Security and Surveillance) and secured funding, the real work begins. We’ll use a real-life customer scenario in the state of North Carolina to illustrate some key factors that contribute to a successful video system implementation. Establish clear objectives Having clear goals and objectives is the first step in any technology implementation project, and it is no different for video security upgrades. Start with a project charter that specifies what problems the technology will address, and quantifies the expected improvements and the timeframe those improvements are expected. This will both keep the project on track and in scope, and can be used to assess your success postimplementation. For the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the goal was to equip 1500 paratransit and demand response vehicles in 83 counties with video surveillance technology from a single supplier within a 12 month period. The key objectives for the technology were: reducing accident re-construction costs, improving driver behavior, and streamlining the incident investigation process.
short-listed vendors to ensure their systems met claims of reliability, ease-of-use and functionality. Plan for success Have a detailed plan, not only for implementation, but also for postinstallation and ongoing maintenance. Assign roles to responsible teams. Develop a technology refresh program, to make sure the equipment is replaced in a timely fashion. Also consider the following: 1) H ow will you retrieve video recorded on the bus, and then ensure the chain of custody for that footage? 2) What is the process required to request video footage? 3) H ow will you restrict access to video and ensure driver and passenger privacy.
Having clear goals and objectives is the first step in any technology implementation project.
Build the right team Assembling the right team, and ensuring that all key stakeholders and influencers are consulted, is another key element. NCDOT used a multipronged approach. First, they secured key executive sponsorship for the project, to display a top-level show of support and demonstrate the project’s top priority. Second, they consulted every key stakeholder that would either be involved in the implementation, or would be impacted by the new technology on an ongoing basis, to ensure they were committed to its success. Finally, they chose tech-savvy people to add to the project team that understood the technology and its benefits, to drive the project forward.
Do your research Once the project team is in place, do your research so that you select a technology and a vendor that will support your objectives. Technology should suit your current needs, plus accommodate any future requirements or initiatives, without a full-scale replacement. Choosing the right vendor is critical. Consider not just price and functionality, but experience with projects of similar size and scope, reputation for reliability and support, and overall responsiveness. NCDOT did extensive research on their technology options, discussed their needs with multiple vendors, and then tested five 10
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Put all of these decisions into a formal video surveillance policy, vet it with your legal team and publish it. NCDOT researched and created a template document that made it easy for all participating transit agencies to modify and adopt.
Spread the word Once your new surveillance system is installed, it is important to let drivers, passengers and the general public know about your security upgrade. Show drivers how the new technology can protect them, and how they can use the presence of that technology to diffuse conflict. Make sure that you address any concerns with the driver’s union up front and secure their help in making drivers comfortable with the change. For NCDOT, it was important for drivers to see how the camera footage could help them improve their customer service levels, and prevent or address on-board incidents. Consider a public awareness campaign to make the travelling public aware of the change in security. This can be as simple as posting a notice at the entry of the bus, or as sophisticated as a multimedia campaign to inform customers of the added protection measures. Studies have shown that public awareness that the cameras exist can actually reduce the number of incidents that occur. Measure your success After your security upgrade is complete, don’t forget to look back at your initial objectives to ensure you’ve attained the goals of the project. If there are shortfalls, determine why and develop a plan to address them. By following the key success factors above, NCDOT was able to get 95 percent adoption of the technology in just over 12 months, prove 75 percent of injury claims were false, and reduce insurance costs and payouts. In addition, video proved to be a great tool for driver coaching and helped reduce accident investigation times significantly. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com.
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PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES: the latest in surveillance technology By Lori Jetha
In an emergency situation, every second counts. To prepare for the unthinkable, you not only need to train operators and conduct drills, but implement the right tools and technologies in advance. Here are a few suggestions to give transit security staff better on-board visibility to assess and respond to emergencies quickly and improve incident investigations.
Integrated vehicle tracking A live fleet tracking application can tie all of this technology together in a single map-based view. Your emergency response team can view live on-screen alerts when panic buttons are pressed, locate the exact GPS location of the bus to dispatch help to the scene, and even click on the bus to tap into live on-board video to assess the situation.
One of the newest and most effective technologies for assessing emergency situations as they happen is live streaming video.
Locate the right footage and auto-download With video management software and a wireless network in your bus depot, you can download alarmed video footage automatically as the bus returns to the yard. Or when an incident occurs you can schedule a download from any device via a webbased application. Video management software also makes it easier to locate video related to a crime scene. Simply highlight the incident location on a map to display all vehicle tracks travelling through the area and click the vehicle track to set a start and end point for your download.
Add more cameras for a better view You never get a second chance to get a better view. Camera placement is critical to delivering the right footage no matter where an incident happens on and around the bus. While there is a trend towards highresolution cameras to improve views outside the bus (i.e. capture license plates), ensure you have enough cameras to prevent any gaps in visibility inside the bus, especially in high incident-prone areas, such as the bus entrance, driver seat and fare box area. Alarm-triggered recording and live alerts Give drivers the tools to alert security staff to an on-board emergency and trigger recording of the incident. A panic button connected to the on-board surveillance system can trigger recording of a special camera view of the driver in case of assault, if union agreements prevent you from continuously recording drivers. It can also transmit a live security alert via email or on-screen in a real-time vehicle tracking application such as Seon’s vMax Live Plus. Live streaming video One of the newest and most effective technologies for assessing emergency situations as they happen is live streaming video. This technology allows authorized transit staff to tap into secure footage from any installed bus camera in real-time, to access live video and audio as the emergency unfolds. This technology is particularly useful in hostage situations or where a driver is unreachable via radio due to a medical condition.
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Ensure you have enough cameras to prevent any gaps in visibility inside the bus.
When disaster strikes on a transit vehicle, transit agencies are under intense public scrutiny. Could the incident have been prevented? Did they do everything they could to respond quickly and efficiently? What really happened and who is at fault? Having the right evidence at your fingertips can mean the difference between a prolonged civil suit costing millions, and a speedy investigation absolving you of wrongdoing. In this case, it pays to be prepared in advance. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com.
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OPERATOR ASSAULT PREVENTION: TRAINING AND BEST PRACTICES By Lori Jetha
We started this series by talking about the importance of taking a proactive approach to transit safety with three key ingredients: policies, education and technology. This recipe for success applies to operator assault prevention. We have explored a number of technologies that help address operator assaults, such as on-board video systems, panic alert buttons and live vehicle tracking, but the best way to protect bus drivers is to train them to prevent conflicts, put in place supportive policies and create public awareness campaigns.
Calgary Transit recently revealed the “Be an Easy Rider” campaign to help stop driver abuse.
Positive attitude for conflict prevention Bill Parsons, a recognized expert and trainer in personal safety, feels that a key component of assault prevention training is getting drivers to choose a positive mindset and attitude toward service to others. This way of thinking influences how operators are perceived and treated. A colleague of mine had a perfect example of a bus driver using a positive attitude for conflict prevention on a recent ride home from work. She was traveling on a bus full of primarily business commuters when a loud, intoxicated group of people boarded at the next stop. As the ride progressed, passengers were becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the group’s use of foul language and the volume of their voices. At that point the driver decided to jump in and improvise. Instead of arguing or lecturing, the driver greeted everyone on board, introduced himself and said that when it is raining it was usually challenging to navigate the bus. Since it was pouring rain outside, he apologized for the slower traffic on the roads. Then he added, “But today, you should enjoy your trip even more since we have a very special drive with both stormy showers, and ‘stormy’ passengers.” Everyone on the bus laughed, and the noisy revelers quieted down. This was a great illustration of how humor and a positive mindset helped to prevent a confrontation that may have led to violence. 14
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Explore communications strategies Operator training should help drivers to understand that the way they communicate impacts not only their own personal safety, but job satisfaction, customer service and organizational perception. Teaching drivers to choose the right tone of voice and use their words carefully can help them avoid conflict that may result in violence. Video surveillance footage can be useful to correct deteriorating driver communication habits. When investigating a passenger complaint that a driver was rude or provoked the situation, pull the video footage, view it with the driver and their union representative when applicable, and use it for a positive coaching experience. If the driver used the right words and tone, compliment them and share the good deed with others. If the driver was rude, they often will recognize this during the viewing. Ask them how they could have handled the situation differently and work together on choosing a more positive approach. Seeing themselves on video is often a catalyst to better self-awareness and future customer interaction. Policies for conflict avoidance A great way to help drivers avoid conflict is to develop policies that support rather than put operators in harm’s way. Disputes about fare collection are one of the most common examples of driver-passenger conflict. Halifax Transit’s fare collection policy allows operators to be Fare Informers, not Fare Enforcers. Many transit agencies also have a ridership code of conduct that they post at the entrance of every bus. Drivers can avoid conflict by pointing to the guidelines when confronted with a difficult situation. Campaigns to curb driver abuse Putting the right policies in place and training drivers are effective means of avoiding conflict that leads to assaults, but the actions of passengers are often not within your control. That’s where the success of public awareness campaigns can help. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 583 that represents Calgary Transit operators recently revealed a campaign to help stop driver abuse. Their ‘Be an Easy Rider’ campaign featured posters aboard problematic routes, transit shelters and billboards, encouraging transit riders to “be good to your driver and enjoy the ride.” According to an ATU publication, “Preventing Violence Against Bus Operators: A Fact Sheet for Local Unions”: “A media campaign aimed at enlisting the support of the public can reduce assaults and increase respect for operators. Successful media campaigns address passenger safety concerns as well as driver protection.” Operator assault is one of the biggest risks to passenger safety and organizational liability. Having the right tools and training in place to mitigate that risk and prevent assaults from happening in the first place should be something every transit agency puts into practice. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com.
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PREVENT CONFLICT ON THE BUS: A VISUAL GUIDE FOR OPERATORS Download this infographic to help drivers avoid or solve conflicts.
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Hybrid DVRs: Preserving your security investment By Lori Jetha
Keeping up with the latest technology is hard. New mobile security products are being developed every year with more bells and whistles. It seems the only constant is change. So how does a transit agency ensure that their mobile surveillance system is up to date while keeping budgets in check? One costeffective solution is to consider a hybrid digital video recorder (DVR). What is a hybrid DVR? Similar to a hybrid vehicle that uses two forms of energy (gasoline and electric), a hybrid DVR can record video and data from two types of video security cameras – traditional analog and digital highdefinition (HD) or ‘IP’ cameras. Traditional analog cameras are most common in mobile surveillance and still made up almost 95 percent of new camera sales in 2015 (Source: IHS Group). Hybrid DVRs give you the flexibility to add new high-definition cameras where it makes sense while preserving your initial analog camera investment. An example of a hybrid DVR is Seon’s new Explorer model HX16, a 16-channel DVR designed for mobile applications. HX16 DVRs support connection of up to 12 analog cameras and up to four HD (IP) cameras. A brief history So what is the difference between traditional analog and IP cameras? Analog cameras go way back to the days of VHS tape recorders, when operators were required to search through hours of video evidence to find videos of interest. But analog cameras continued in popularity even after the introduction of digital video recorders in the late 1990’s. Even with the adoption of DVR technology, high-definition, ‘IP’ cameras really have only emerged in the mobile surveillance market in the last three years. One of the reasons for this is due to gradual improvements in analog camera technology in terms of camera size, lens options, reliability, digital signal processing and more lines of resolution. According to the 2015 IHS Report on Mobile Surveillance, in some cases there is an overlap in resolution and image quality of high-end analog cameras and low-end IP cameras. Another reason for the continued popularity of analog cameras is video storage and retention. Although high-definition cameras can produce an image three-to-six times the resolution of an analog camera, they also consume three times more storage space, thereby reducing the number of days of video you can store on the hard drive before being overwritten.
Replacing an entire surveillance system with a DVR, up to 16 cameras, wireless technology, playback and video management software can be expensive. Hybrid DVRs allow you to improve your return on investment and extend the useful life of your analog cameras and software. You can focus your budget dollars on adding more cameras to provide more coverage in and around the bus, rather than replacing existing cameras. Being able to continue to record video and audio from analog cameras also reduces the DVR storage requirements, allowing you to store more hours of video on the DVR hard drive before needing to download. Once you’ve installed a hybrid DVR you can gradually introduce high-definition cameras in specific areas of the bus where a higher resolution image is required for incident review, such as the farebox, windshield, or exterior of the bus. You have a wider range of camera selections to choose from to suit your application. You will have a higher quality picture and the ability to zoom-in on images to create better video evidence essential in license plate capture.
3 reasons to go hybrid 1. Phase in newer technology 2. Extend life of existing cameras 3. Improve ROI When does a hybrid DVR make sense? The main reason for purchasing a hybrid DVR is to introduce new high-definition camera technology to your fleet while preserving your existing investment in analog cameras. It makes sense for any size fleet with a large investment in analog camera infrastructure and resource constraints. Hybrid DVRs are a great way to introduce stateof-the-art technology into your surveillance system without breaking the bank. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com.
What are the benefits of a hybrid? Beyond the simple connection of two camera technologies, hybrid DVRs have a number of advantages for transit agencies looking to upgrade their security systems. The obvious benefit is cost. 16
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Enhancing driver visibility – removing the deadly blind spot By Lori Jetha Every vehicle has blind spots, but transit vehicles are particularly vulnerable to blind spots due to their size and composition. On a transit bus, blind spots not only impair driver visibility but often lead to deadly (and costly) collisions. Improving driver visibility can increase the safety of passengers and pedestrians and should be an integral part of any transit system’s safety program. But what are some solutions available today that help solve the killer blind spot? Let’s examine a few that have been tried to increase driver visibility and prevent common types of collisions. Defensive driving techniques and policies Rock and Roll. Bob and Weave. These aren’t just dance moves, but real-life strategies bus operators are trained to use to improve their visibility around the bus. These types of defensive driving techniques as well as policies on turning procedures are recommended to prevent pedestrian collisions in the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Guidebook for Mitigating Fixed-Route Bus-and-Pedestrian Collisions. The key behind this approach is to attempt to overcome and compensate for the presence of blind spots. Although mandatory turning procedures, such as no right turns on red lights or continual scanning when entering an intersection, have been reported to reduce the likelihood of a pedestrian accident, they do not materially improve driver visibility or eliminate the blind spots causing collisions, particularly those contributing to lane change crashes. Furthermore, some techniques such as square left turns or bobbing and weaving can take a toll on the operator’s body and increase disability rates. Operator training and public outreach Another approach is to train both operators and pedestrians to be especially vigilant of potential bus blind spots and take steps to avoid collisions. Examples of this would be bus safety posters or decals with awareness messaging about staying alert and mindful of bus blind spots. Although this takes steps to reduce the risk of a pedestrian collision, or at least reduce the severity of injuries, the blind spots remain. Bus stop design or bus modification In some cases technology designed to improve safety, such as side mirrors or thick bus A-pillars, can create vehicle blind spots that are particularly dangerous for pedestrians. Use of smaller mirrors, or adjustments to their placement, can improve driver visibility. At bus stops, better lighting can improve visibility at night, while increased sidewalk space and traffic control technology can help prevent the likelihood of pedestrian accidents. 18
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Collision avoidance technology The most common technology used on transit buses to reduce blind spots is mirror technology. This can improve visibility along the left and right sides of the vehicle, but does not completely eliminate sideof-vehicle blind spots or improve rear views. Traditional back-up or rear-vision camera systems help with the rear view, but rear-backing scenarios and collisions are less common in a typical fixed bus route. One of the more promising emerging camera technologies to eliminate blind spots is the around-vehicle monitoring system, such as the recently introduced inView 360 product from Seon. With this technology, four cameras are strategically placed around the vehicle to capture an ultra-wide angle view of each side of the vehicle. These four views are blended and stitched together to give drivers a real-time, 360 degree bird’s eye view around the vehicle on a dash-mounted monitor. A split screen also displays a second view that changes depending on operating conditions. For example, when a driver employs the turn signal to change lanes, this will change the view displayed on the right side of the monitor — from the front view, to the left or right side view. Although data on the impact of this technology for preventing collisions is limited due to its relative infancy, a 2002 study on side-view camera-based systems by the Florida Department of Transportation revealed a number of promising conclusions. Wide-angle side view cameras were able to eliminate 100 percent of blind zones on the left and right sides, and provided better observation
Effectiveness in Improving Driver Visibility
SOLUTION
Blind Spot Reduction
Defensive Driving
No
Operator Training
No
Bus or Stop Design
No
Mirrors
Only Partial
360 Degree Camera System
Yes
of boarding and late arriving passengers, and better lane change visibility. Camera systems also provided better visibility in dark conditions or inclement weather than mirror solutions. Finally a driver survey showed that a camera-based system provided an image that is simpler and faster to process and that drivers were quick to adapt to. Drivers reported feeling more confident in lane changes and believed it would reduce side crashes. Although we’ll never eliminate transit bus collisions caused by operator fatigue and distraction, or pedestrian inattention, this new camera technology is so far one of the only ways to eliminate one of the deadliest contributing factors in collisions – the blind spot. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
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MORE STRATEGIES TO SAVE LIVES Learn how to eliminate dangerous bus blind spots and save lives.
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Practical tips for better video management By Lori Jetha protect innocent bystanders. Lastly, data verification and encryption can ensure that once a video clip is created, the content is not altered.
Video management software can help save time by providing authorized maintenance personnel a cloud-based system health dashboard indicating which surveillance equipment needs attention.
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nstalling a video surveillance system helps protect against false claims, improve operator safety and reduce overall risk for transit systems, but safety and security departments need to plan ahead to avoid being swamped by requests to deliver video evidence. To reduce strain on resources supporting your video safety program, there are several strategies to ensure success. Publish a video surveillance policy The first step in maintaining a manageable workload for staff handling video requests is by creating a comprehensive video management policy. Your policy should cover the ‘5 W’s’ - who, what, when, where, and why video footage should be accessed. Clearly describe the situations when it is appropriate to pull and review video footage as a pro-active measure in reducing the number of frivolous requests for video review. This can save your security team a lot of time and effort in the long run. Detail why video surveillance is being conducted and what will be reviewed, citing the steps you’ve taken to protect the privacy of operators and the general public. Ensure that you have consulted any union and legal representation to protect the privacy of individuals recorded, and ensure the integrity of video evidence. Assign roles and be specific about who is authorized to maintain versus view versus distribute video and to whom. Dictate exactly where video will be stored and for how long. Video protection features A good video surveillance policy will ensure video does not get into the wrong hands and become a viral sensation on YouTube, or a PR nightmare, but there are a few features you should also look for before selecting the right video surveillance system. The first is a locked case for the digital recorder that prevents cables from coming loose and unauthorized access to storage media. Cameras should also be tamperproof and vandal-resistant. Aside from physical security features on video hardware, playback software should feature proprietary video formats so video cannot be viewed without authorized software. Password protection can further limit unintentional access to software installed on a shared device. Privacy blurring is critical to
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Minimize video retrieval and handling The best way to reduce video retrieval and incident investigation timeframes is to invest in automatic wireless downloading and video management software. Without it, you risk having requests from insurance companies and law enforcement tying up resources to retrieve hard drives, a timeconsuming task when buses are parked in multiple yards, or
spread across a large geographic area. Avoid an exhausting search for which bus may have been in the area at the time, and tedious review of hours of irrelevant footage by using video management software to create a zone of interest and display any bus routes that travelled through that area in a given timeframe. You can click on the route path on a map to set start and end points to schedule video download when buses return to the yard. Or you can have alarmed video trigger automatic downloads for later review. A word of caution when architecting your wireless network: Video requires a high-bandwidth connection with consistent throughput and connectivity to ensure fast, reliable downloads. Ensure your chosen vendor has Certified Wireless Network Administrators (CWNAcertified) on staff to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road. Proactive maintenance One last tip to ensure video is always there when requested is a pro-active maintenance program. Just like your fleet vehicles, video surveillance systems require regular inspection and maintenance for smooth operation. Video management software can help save time by providing authorized maintenance personnel a cloud-based system health dashboard indicating which surveillance equipment needs attention. See immediately which hard drives have been left unlocked or not replaced, cameras need maintenance, and even GPS units need adjustment. Scheduled, random automated video clip downloads can even help identify cameras not positioned correctly or tampered with. These are just a few practical tips that, when addressed up-front, can help make managing video easier. Don’t wait until you’re overloaded with requests for video footage. Plan ahead to make better use of technology to free up staff to focus on what they do best – keeping your transit system running safely and efficiently. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com.
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CONSIDERING WIRELESS VIDEO DOWNLOADS? Learn what questions to ask to ensure a successful implementation.
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Video Integration: the secret sauce By Lori Jetha Technology plays an important role in transit operations today. Passenger counting, electronic ticketing, CAD/AVL systems, video surveillance, wireless, and even onboard Wi-Fi help transit agencies deliver a better, more efficient public transit experience. Developing a world-class transit organization means implementing solutions from best-in-class technology partners. But in order to meet increasing customer expectations, these solutions need to be able to talk to each other and work together to deliver real-time insight to passengers and transit operators alike. This is where data integration is essential. Video surveillance is no longer a stand-alone system but an essential part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) ecosystem. Selecting a video partner experienced in integrating with multiple platforms is critical. Custom integrations can be complex, but when done right, those integrations can deliver better data more efficiently to meet the demand for real-time information. Once integration is completed, the entire system is more feature-rich and tailored to the needs of the organization. Data synchronization An integrated solution requires coordination and development by all companies involved to achieve “plug-and-play” functionality between the system components. For example, systems that enable the driver to tag video for review at a later time will want the time reference on the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to be identical to that on the video system. This ensures that the time recorded by the CAD system at the instant the driver tags the video (via a button press) is identical to the time that is recorded by the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) operating in the bus. The same is true for vehicle GPS integration. Most video systems have the ability to record GPS co-ordinates. This provides additional context to the video evidence, allowing security staff to see the location of the bus on a map alongside the video and audio during playback. Combine this with the power of Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and the transit operator will know the location of each bus in real-time and then later be able to trace a vehicle’s route historically using the video system. Again, synchronization of GPS co-ordinates is essential to re-creating the scene, preparing an accurate case and determining the best path forward as a resolution or in making improvements. Each location-recording device on the bus must integrate with a single GPS receiver to accomplish this. BUSRIDE | SEON
Establishing information flow Most often, integration of the bus video system with other components of the overall solution will require a two-way information flow. Not only will the DVR receive information from the CAD System, recording it on the hard drive for future playback, but the DVR will need to report key service-affecting events to the central dispatch site – events such as video camera maintenance and record-to-hard-drive status. There is also the need to identify the common data points and the authoritative source, as there may be multiple systems capable of providing the same data points. A successful integration plan will carefully map the data that is shared and how it flows between critical components to deliver meaningful information. Shared connectivity Engineering the integrated video system must take into account the entire end-to-end system. That typically includes devices on the vehicle that the DVR will interface to, the Wi-Fi and cellular communication network topologies used to keep the vehicle in contact with the central site, and the software used by dispatchers, system administrators, case investigators, and security and maintenance personnel. Real-time connectivity is essential, and sharing that communications network is more efficient and cost-effective. Video, audio, vehicle operating and GPS data, ticket revenue, and passenger counts can all be transmitted in real-time over a single point of connectivity, eliminating the expense and administration of multiple data plans. The end result: better decisions At the end of a successful custom integration, you have technology that operates intuitively as a single system instead of separate uncoordinated parts. You have the efficient flow and transmission of real-time data to and from the bus operators and transportation support staff to improve the speed of problem resolution and decision-making. To achieve the highest level of integration, customized to your transit environment, video and ITS providers use observational voice-of-customer methodology to develop a clear understanding of what the various roles of the end user are and their individual needs. For additional information on video systems as a component of a fully integrated fleet solution, or a stand-alone system that can be upgraded in the future as a fully integrated system, contact a Seon transit representative via http://www.seon.com/support/ sales-support. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com for more information.
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ACCIDENT PREVENTION:
4 safety improvement technologies you should consider By Lori Jetha
Sixty-three pedestrians lost their lives in single vehicle accidents involving buses in 2015. That represents an 11 percent increase in fatalities involving buses over 2014. This disturbing trend is fueled by pedestrians focused on mobile device screens, urban congestion, distracted motorists, and blind spots around the bus itself. At a 2016 bus safety symposium, former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind urged participants to look at “changes that give operators the best visibility… advanced technologies that have the potential for exponentially increasing pedestrian protection.” To improve pedestrian safety and prevent bus accidents, transit agencies should look at several emerging technologies that increase driver visibility and correct unsafe driving behaviors. #1 – Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) Lane-departure warnings, blind spot detection sensors, forward collision alerts and back-up cameras have gradually been introduced into the consumer automotive market over the last several years as standard vehicle safety features. Look for these features to become more readily available to the transit bus market in the near future. Cameras, radar, lidar, and microwave sensor systems have also proven effective in detecting unsafe conditions that could lead to collisions and alert the driver to take corrective action. Agencies should also be aware of the updated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111 rear visibility requirements that went into effect in May 2017 for passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds. These changes expand the required driver field-of-view in order to reduce back-over accidents. Any rearADAS sensors view camera systems installed must be in compliance with the revised standard. Look for guidance in selecting the right aftermarket driver-assistive technologies from experienced camera and sensor providers. #2 – Perimeter safety solutions 2016 brought the introduction of ‘around vehicle monitoring’ (AVM) technology to give drivers better visibility around the perimeter of the vehicle. Views from four cameras strategically placed on each side of the bus are stitched together to deliver a bird’s eye view, and the view relevant to the current operating condition, to the driver to help prevent collisions with nearby objects and pedestrians. Look for enhancements to this technology that display sensor data and deliver audible alerts to drivers so they can take corrective action to avoid injuries and vehicle damage. inView 360 Around Vehicle Monitoring System
Although a relatively ‘low-tech’ solution, proper mirror installation is also important for improved driver visibility in large transit vehicles. Training on pre-trip mirror adjustment should continue to be reinforced in all operator safety programs. #3 – Driver performance management software 94 percent of vehicle crashes involve human error, so efforts to coach and reward safe driving behavior are an essential part of any safety improvement program. Research on human behavior has proven that measurement and competition are two effective means of changing entrenched habits. Driver performance management applications aggregate and prioritize the huge volumes of vehicle operating data coming in from computer aided dispatch/automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL), route tracking, and video surveillance systems into reviewable video event records that supervisors can use to coach better driving behavior. GPS, video, and vehicle sensor data is analyzed and combined to produce driver rankings and scorecards. The gamification of driver scoring as well as incentives or rewards for good driving habits can lead to sustainable accident reduction. #4 – Pedestrian detection technology Bus A and B pillars can create significant blind spots that pose real danger to pedestrians, particularly in a left-turn scenario. New pedestrian detection technology brings together specialized cameras with advanced video analytics to create a ‘visual sensor’ that can detect pedestrians located in common bus blind spots and issue audible warnings or visual alerts of an impending collision to bus drivers and pedestrians. Unlike traditional video Pedestrian detection warning system surveillance technology that simply records incidents for later review, pedestrian detection systems can actually assist drivers in preventing an accident. Integration is key to sustainable accident prevention Each of these four emerging technologies have one thing in common: they all combine video, sensor, and telematics data to deliver actionable information to drivers for the prevention of accidents. Data integration from multiple systems or components is key to sustainable accident prevention. 63 lives lost is unacceptable and preventable. Giving drivers greater visibility and advanced warning of potential collisions will lead to reduced accident rates, lower liability claims, and ultimately save precious lives. Lori Jetha serves as marketing manager for Seon, a video surveillance and fleet management company based on Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Visit www.seon.com for more information.
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