PRISMATICA: a multi-sensor surveillance system for public transport networks
Sergio A. Velastín · 2004
Public transport systems play a vital role in the daily lifeof all citizens. There is a recognised need to shifttransport patterns of usage from private means to publicmeans as this has beneficial effects in terms of theenvironment, reduced road-related deaths and generalquality of life. Public transport environments arecomplex ones involving a large number of people(passengers and staff), control management andprocedures. One of the many factors that play againstincreased patronage is related with personal securityaspects, both real and perceived. To understand whatthese factors are and to propose technical, operationaland social solutions, the project PRISMATICA (?PRoactiveIntegrated systems for Security Management byTechnological, Institutional and CommunicationAssistance?) was funded by the European Commission,involving important European transport operators(London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Prague and Lisbon),research institutions, manufacturers and transportconsultants.A public transport environment is then conceived asbeing in the hands of what sociologists call a ?capableguardian?. Traditionally, this has meant an operatingcompany deploying staff and monitoring systems (suchas CCTV) to carry out manual based surveillance of theenvironment to prevent undesirable events and toreassure the travelling public that they are in a safe andsecure environment.