Overview
Rail storage yards for a major US metropolitan transit system were being repeatedly broken into during nighttime hours and experiencing repeated vandalism of cars. The perpetrators were able to climb down from an adjacent bridge and gain access to the yard undetected. The existing video system was only able to display evidence of the break-ins after they occurred. The low-light environment also reduced the chances of identifying the vandals.
There were sizable costs associated with the intrusions. Restoring an individual rail car after an act of vandalism or graffiti is many thousands of dollars; such repairs also took the cars out of circulation, leading to significant lost revenue. Graffiti concerns, while costly, also highlight potentially more severe security vulnerabilities for the transit system overall.
There were sizable costs associated with the intrusions. Restoring an individual rail car after an act of vandalism or graffiti is many thousands of dollars; such repairs also took the cars out of circulation, leading to significant lost revenue. Graffiti concerns, while costly, also highlight potentially more severe security vulnerabilities for the transit system overall.
By employing long-range SightSensors, the rail company was able to eliminate two-thirds the number of cameras along with associated poles, power and communication requirements originally specified in the site plan. In some cases, the long-range capabilities of the cameras allowed the utilization of existing buildings for installation purposes, further cutting costs.
The use of longer-range cameras also yielded an unexpected benefit: In the original plan, PTZ cameras were mounted on poles too short to see over parked rail cars. By employing fewer SightLogix cameras and poles to cover the area, the rail organization was able to shift a portion of the cost savings to higher poles, providing more effective coverage over the entire yard at reduced cost. Key to the successful use of higher poles was on-board electronic image stabilization in the SightLogix cameras, which are able to eliminate the impact of pole sway – along with the vibrations from passing trains – movement which would have otherwise resulted in excessive nuisance alarms.
Shortly after the SightLogix solution was put into place, the technology successfully detected several intruders entering the yard. The automated surveillance system alerted rail security with enough time to intervene and apprehend the intruders.
