Keeping an eye on transit

Users of public transport demand a safe and secure environment, one without any feeling of threat. Unfortunately, that is not the reality in many places. While safety is usually of a high standard, the feeling of personal security is often diminished. This discourages people from using public transport, and for many people it restricts their mobility. Surveillance is a helpful tool in fighting crime and assuring users, but there are often heavy limitations on its coverage, usability and effectiveness. We consider the challenges facing the stakeholders in public transport, and what is needed in the ´surveillance toolbox´. It considers the issues of threat against the person, threat against the systems, vandalism, ambience, customer support, and organisation of the security. It considers the different environments: 1) underground stations, platforms, circulation areas 2) terminals and overground stations 3) surface transport vehicles, especially bus and tram 4) transit stops, both with and without shelters 5) facilities and systems. It then considers the implementation of surveillance and the supporting systems in terms of distribution of functions and intelligence, communications, linkage with the organisational capability, and boundary issues. Legal and privacy issues are also lightly touched.