Icomera
Real-Time Digital Video Surveillance & Monitoring
Safety & Security: A Vital Concern for Transport Operators and Authorities
Maintaining the safe and efficient movement of people to and from their destinations is a priority for public transport operators and authorities, and an important consideration for any policy maker’s agenda. There are several reasons why safety plays a key role in any successful public transport system:
Safe Passengers are Happy Passengers
Research has shown a tendency for the media to over-report terrorist incidents and violent crimes compared to road accidents. Over half of US citizens are concerned about being a victim of terrorist attacks, and over a third of US citizens would stop doing certain activities due to their fear of becoming a victim of terrorism. Additionally, a report published by independent UK public transport watchdog ‘Transport in Focus’ shows that overall passenger satisfaction increases as a direct result of security improvements made by operators. This report concludes that providing real-time security makes significant impacts on public opinion, while urging operators and policy makers to keep improving, demonstrating the importance of keeping up with the latest trends and innovations in safety & security, in order to maintain ridership numbers and passenger satisfaction.
Public Perception is Key
With the prevalence of instant social media communication in today’s world, even minor incidents arising from lapses in safety can be rapidly shared among the population, driving up public consciousness of safety and security concerns, even if reasonable steps have been taken to prevent potential incidents. While public transport remains the safest way to travel, when incidents do occur, it has never been easier for the public and mass media to scrutinise the safeguards that were in place at the time.
Terrorism, Crime & Reputation
It is an unfortunate, yet unavoidable fact that perpetrators of criminal and terrorist activities seek to exploit security flaws in public transport systems and that when they do so, the cost and public exposure arising from such incidents could cause irreparable damage to the business and reputation of all parties involved.
