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CCTV for 2010

CCTV technology applications for South African cities hosting a world-class event.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa is getting closer, while the current debate and concerns about South Africa's capacity to provide a secure and safe environment when we host the tournament is intensifying. An integral part of the resources and structures that are part of a well-established and equipped security network is surveillance and CCTV solutions.

"We have identified key areas where CCTV technology would be appropriate for deployment. Stadia, airports, trains and railway stations - and in any other areas of high traffic flow," says Brett Birch, African region leader for GE Security.

"In terms of sports stadia, digital video on IT networks provides more intelligent, scalable and cost-effective video surveillance. Through the integration with other sub-systems, the centralised alarm management and the use of state-of-the-art image processing applications, digital video networks deliver quicker and easier situational analysis and decision-making to the stadium security staff and the police forces."

This typically provides more preventive and effective security through the following features:

* Global stadium surveillance (inside and outside).

* Prevention of incidents and spectator outbursts.

* Dissuasion, prevention and repression of violence.

* Integration with other sub-systems (public address system, stadium display, alarm beeper...) thanks to an open architecture and APIs.

* Software Development Kit to customise the Graphical User Interface.

* Dramatic cost reductions through the use of the existing network infrastructure and the absence of dedicated coaxial cabling.

* Low maintenance required on digital recording system.

* High quality video for image processing applications such as facial recognition, abnormal behaviour or unattended luggage detection.

"Given the requirements of a rail context, the equipment is both robust and resistant to electromagnetic interference," Birch explains.

"More importantly, the equipment is compact and is able to optimise space in a control centre, by disposing of a large number of monitors. This is of particular consideration for technical rooms - which are often rapidly becoming too small for the function they must serve and the profusion of equipment," he continues.

CCTV functionality includes image processing, which makes rail security systems more intelligent and autonomous:

* Detecting abnormal behaviours.

* Estimation of the crowd density at gates (increase the frequency of trains, access management to the gates).

* Detection of fallen objects.

* Detection of unattended objects.

Birch adds, "Video surveillance equipment may also be integrated, to perform additional services for travellers by posting schedules, the diffusion of audio messages and for use as a public address system.

"Another application for CCTV is traffic surveillance systems where, because of the distances involved, digital networked solutions are a must. Wired analog solutions are too costly, complex, limited in terms of processing and not flexible enough."

"Aside from a traffic surveillance function, the video can also be useful to different services, such as the police, healthcare authorities or the fire brigade," Birch says.

Video content analysis for better reactivity features:

* Automatic incident detection.

* Car stopped on highways.

* Wrong way driving.

* Pedestrians on highways.

* Traffic jam detection.

* Speed estimation.

* Statistics.

* Plate recognition (on tolls for instance).

* Smoke detection.

However, Birch points out, airport CCTV needs are wider than one might think at a first glance.

As soon as the core system is deployed, then the video streams can be exploited and put at the disposal of many different users such as:

* Border control teams or agents for queue management.

* Airport control for plane taxiing monitoring.

* Airlines for specific area surveillance.

* Shopping centres for security and flow management.

* Airport managers for public address.

* Baggage handling teams for specific video monitoring and analysis requirements.

"As we move towards 2010 here in South Africa, we have a number of infrastructure and security-related challenges - but none that cannot be successfully resolved, with the right combination of technology, expertise in application of this technology and the crucial element of an appreciation of the local issues and realities," he concludes.

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