Understanding Metro Station Usage using Closed Circuit Television Cameras Analysis

In this paper, we propose to show how video data available in standard CCTV transportation systems can represent a useful source of information for transportation infrastructure management, optimization and planning if adequately analyzed (e.g. to facilitate equipment usage understanding, to ease diagnostic and planning for system managers). More precisely, we present two algorithms allowing to estimate the number of people in a camera view and to measure the platform time-occupancy by trains. A statistical analysis of the results of each algorithm provide interesting insights regarding station usage. It is also shown that combining information from the algorithms in different views provide a finer understanding of the station usage. An end-user point of view confirms the interest of the proposed analysis

An Approach for Actions to Prevent Suicides on Commuter and Metro Rail Systems in the United States, MTI Report 12-33

The primary goals of this report are to discuss measures to prevent suicides on commuter and metro rail systems, and to outline an approach for suicide prevention on rail systems. Based on existing literature and analysis of data obtained from the Metrolink system in Southern California, it was found that most suicides occur near station platforms and near access points to the track. Suicides occurred most frequently when relatively more trains were in operation and in areas of high population density. There do not appear to be suicide “hot spots” (e.g., linked to mental hospitals in the proximity, etc.), based on data analyzed for U.S. systems. The suicide prevention measures range from relatively inexpensive signs posting call-for-help suicide hotline information to costly platform barriers that physically prevent people from jumping onto tracks in front of trains. Other prevention measures fall within this range, such as hotlines available at high frequency suicide locations, or surveillance systems that can report possible suicide attempts and provide the opportunity for intervention tactics. Because of the relatively low number of suicides on rail systems, as compared to the overall number of suicides in general, a cost-effective strategy for preventing suicides on rail systems should be approached in a very focused manner. The prevention measures executed by the rail authorities should be focused on the suicides occurring on the rail systems themselves, while the broader problem of suicides should be left to community-based prevention efforts. Moreover, prevention measures, such as surveillance and response, could “piggyback” on surveillance and response systems used for other purposes on the rail systems to make such projects economically feasible

MULTIMEDIA KNOWLEDGE-BASED CONTENT ANALYSIS OVER DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE

International audienceIn this paper, we review the recently finished CARETAKER project outcomes from a system point of view. The IST FP6-027231 CARETAKER project aimed at studying, developing and assessing multimedia knowledge-based content analysis, knowledge extraction components, and metadata management sub-systems in the context of automated situation awareness and decision support. More precisely, CARETAKER focused on the extraction of a structured knowledge from large multimedia collections recorded over surveillance networks of camera and microphones deployed in real sites. Indeed, the produced audio-visual streams, in addition to security and safety issues, represent a useful source of information when stored and automatically analysed, for instance in urban planning or resource optimisation. In this paper, we overview the communication architecture developed for the project, and detail the different innovative content analysis components developed within the test-beds. We also highlight the different technical concerns encountered for each individual brick, which are common issues in distributed media applications

Code and the Transduction of Space

The effects of software (code) on the spatial formation of everyday life are best understood through a theoretical framework that utilizes the concepts of technicity (the productive power of technology to make things happen) and transduction (the constant making anew of a domain in reiterative and transformative practices). Examples from the lives of three Londoners illustrate that code makes a difference to everyday life because its technicity alternatively modulates space through processes of transduction. Space needs to be theorized as ontogenetic, that is, understood as continually being brought into existence through transductive practices (practices that change the conditions under which space is (re)made). The nature of space transduced by code is detailed and illustrated with respect to domestic living, work, communication, transport, and consumption

Code and the Transduction of Space

The effects of software (code) on the spatial formation of everyday life are best understood through a theoretical framework that utilizes the concepts of technicity (the productive power of technology to make things happen) and transduction (the constant making anew of a domain in reiterative and transformative practices). Examples from the lives of three Londoners illustrate that code makes a difference to everyday life because its technicity alternatively modulates space through processes of transduction. Space needs to be theorized as ontogenetic, that is, understood as continually being brought into existence through transductive practices (practices that change the conditions under which space is (re)made). The nature of space transduced by code is detailed and illustrated with respect to domestic living, work, communication, transport, and consumption

Moving Beyond Cameras in the Courtroom: The Supreme Court, Technology, and the Media

From the introduction: News media, legal blogs, and law reviews routinely cite a panoply of reasons why the Supreme Court will not permit the televising or videotaping of oral arguments: the Justices’ desire for anonymity , the risk that creative editing of sound bites will mislead the public , the risk that the Justices’ question s and comments will be taken out of context , the need to separate the judicial process from the political branches of government, a lack of confidence in the public’s ability to understand the proceedings, and the concern that both the lawyers and the Justices will grandstand for the cameras. More cynical commentators believe that the Justices are reluctant to be recorded on camera because of their view that their branch is exceptional. Others suggest that the Justices “are simply not used to being second-guessed.

The History, Policy Implications, and Knowledge Gaps of the CCTV Literature: Insights for the Development of Body-Worn Video Camera Research

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) and body-worn video cameras (BWVCs) have rapidly spread throughout policing. Such widespread deployment has heightened the importance of identifying best practices for both of these technologies. The research community has worked toward the identification of such best practices, with bodies of knowledge emerging for both CCTV and BWVCs over recent decades. Given its earlier emergence, research on CCTV is more developed. Nonetheless, the BWVC literature is quickly becoming robust, with BWVC research developing at a much more rapid pace than research on most other police technologies. This essay reviews the CCTV and BWVC literatures across four main areas of inquiry: (1) program effect and common outcome measures, (2) contextual factors influencing program effect, (3) intervention costs, and (4) implementation issues. Specific attention is paid to knowledge gaps within the CCTV literature and how BWVC research can avoid (or, in certain cases, already has avoided) similar knowledge gaps

Closed circuit television as a surveillance technique: a case study of filling stations in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa

The researcher attempts to establish how CCTV footage can be used as a surveillance technique, for evidence gained in that way to be admissible in court. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the application of CCTV footage, its purpose, its benefits and shortfalls. To achieve the goals and objectives of the practice of CCTV footage, investigators must know how to utilise the value of its evidence, and how to use it to identify suspects. The clarification and application to the crime situation, the identification of the perpetrator or suspect of a criminal act is mostly impossible, if CCTV footage is not available to assist in identification and tracing of suspects.Police PracticeM. Tech. (Forensic Investigation

Effects of closed circuit television surveillance on crime

Closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras serve many functions and are used in both public and private settings. The prevention of personal and property crime is among the primary objectives in public space, which is the main focus of this review. CCTV is viewed as a technique of “formal surveillance” and in this regard it is seen to enhance or take the place of security personnel. Results of this review indicate that CCTV has a modest but significant desirable effect on crime, is most effective in reducing crime in car parks, is most effective when targeted at vehicle crimes (largely a function of the successful car park schemes), and is more effective in reducing crime in the United Kingdom than in other countries. These results lend support for the continued use of CCTV to prevent crime in public space, but suggest that it be more narrowly targeted than its present use would indicate. Future CCTV schemes should employ high-quality evaluation designs with long follow-up periods