With high volumes of passengers and staff rapidly moving around and the potential risks to people and property, transportation is a key application for security systems. Integrated security specialist TDSi works with clients right across the transportation sector - from airports, to railways, metro systems and sea ports.
Whilst the transportation methods vary, the challenges of safely moving large quantities of people or goods whilst keeping them secure is always the common goal. Many transportation hubs have similar security concerns to any other heavily frequented urbanised facility, so the same principles often apply. Modern security solutions seek to enhance security teams and their abilities, taking some of the strain off human operators but remaining highly reliable, practical and intuitive to use.
There are a number of key ways in which TDSi’s systems protect people and property in the Transportation sector:
Tracking people
The movements of passengers, staff and visitors are key considerations for security. Features such as virtual airlocking and anti-passback offer an automated and intelligent way to highlight unusual behaviour and alert to any potential security risks. This could range from thieves/shoplifters looking to steal from retail outlets right through to hijackers or terrorists. The security team needs to deal with a broad spectrum of criminals - help from automated security systems makes this task quicker and more efficient.
Boasting over 99% accuracy, a product such as a Tailgate Detector can also help to prevent unauthorised access to secure areas (tailgating or piggybacking) in one or more directions. These can be used in conjunction with access control systems as a virtual mantrap (e.g. single doors) or real mantrap (e.g. airlocks and eGates). These systems also give an accurate analysis of passenger flow management, to ensure airports, stations and ports are able to effectively and safely deal with ever increasing numbers of people.
Using an airport as an example, a people counter identifies bottlenecks, helping to design better people traffic flow (to increase safety and passenger satisfaction) and to also help increase turnover generated in food courts, restaurants, shops and duty free areas.
Perimeter security
Integrated IP-enabled security systems (such as TDSi’s EXgarde security management software) using CCTV and intruder alarm integration, have transformed the way railway companies employ their security systems |
Perimeter protection is another important dimension to any transportation security plan. Perimeter risks can range from potential equipment thefts right through to terrorism threats. Equally these measures protect potential intruders themselves, who could be at risk from the dangerous operations of the site (for example graffiti artists who may attempt to access dangerous areas of a railway)
CCTV and perimeter protection devices are a vital part of monitoring often remote parts of the site perimeter, protecting not only the safety of passengers and personnel but also the general public in the area from various vehicle movements etc.
The perimeter is an ideal place to incorporate access control systems. For example, access to staff or non-public areas can be controlled using identity cards or even biometric systems - ensuring unauthorised people are kept well outside the facility. This is especially useful when it comes to engineering/maintenance areas which contain important equipment and may be hazardous for unauthorised people.
Protecting railways and metro systems
The security of railways and metro systems can be particularly challenging, due to their sprawling geography and often remote, isolated stations. Multiple locations make human security patrols difficult and remote facilities can be prone to vandalism and theft, in addition to the specific security requirements found at larger urban stations (such as shoplifting and other criminal attacks on passengers and staff).
Integrated IP-enabled security systems (such as TDSi’s EXgarde security management software) using CCTV and intruder alarm integration, have transformed the way railway companies employ their security systems. These solutions allow remote locations to be automatically monitored and controlled from a central hub, with local security teams being dispatched at a moment’s notice.
In contrast, at larger and metropolitan stations integrated security also proves to be particularly effective. With complex layouts and close proximity to towns and cities, larger stations can suffer problems with crime (for example thefts or pickpocketing of passengers). The large numbers of people present (passengers, staff and other visitors) can make this quite a challenging task for a human security operator. Integrated systems automate these tasks - alerting the security teams/police and also filing evidence for investigation and possible criminal proceedings.
China Rail
The People’s Republic of China has one of the largest rail and metro networks in the world. TDSi recently signed a five-year Strategic Cooperation Agreement with China Rail Chen Bang Technology Ltd (CRCBT) which will see TDSi’s security systems installed as part of engineering projects throughout the country’s vast rail network.
Each controller has a capacity |
With a mixture of urban and rural lines and facilities, China Rail has a complex set of security requirements. Key locations include the new China Rail headquarters project in Beijing, a new media centre, staff accommodation and medical facilities – along with the proposed high-speed rail services.
With around 20,000 stations on the China Rail network, the operator has stringent needs. Integrated security from TDSi will give China Rail peace of mind that its assets, passengers and staff can be protected and that this security systems can be expanded safely as the network continues to grow.
Shanghai Metro
The Shanghai Metro system is one of the fastest growing rapid transit systems in the world, with 162 stations and over 225km of track running both above and underground. On average two million passengers use the system every day – with future expansion set to see that number increase to over three million.
TDSi, in partnership with its distribution partner, is providing a fully integrated security solution for installation on several of Shanghai’s Metro’s lines. Each line is served by over 40 stations as well as its own Operational Control Centre (OCC) – with around 2,000 doors.
The access control solution for the project involves TDSi’s EXpert controllers, EXgarde Enterprise software and MIFARE smart cards (which were specified for their proven performance in high capacity applications). Each controller has a capacity of up to 48,000 cards and provides fast and effective access control for the project – which caters for consistently high volumes of users passing through multiple access points.
The OCC and each station’s controllers are programmed via EXgarde Enterprise, allowing real-time events and system parameters to be stored both at the main server, the local OCC and at each individual station. In the event of a communications loss, events are stored at local stations until access to the main server is re-established and databases re-synchronised.
EXgarde Enterprise allows the system to be managed centrally, even where the Wide Area Network (WAN) may be of variable quality, effectively removing the risk of single point failure. TDSi’s MIFARE smart card readers provide true contactless technology and are an extremely cost efficient, highly reliable solution that also allows for straightforward expansion in the future—for example, allowing the same access control card to be used for cashless vending and car park management, offering users a true, one-card solution.
