Video analytics is a technology that uses specialised algorithms to analyse video footage and generate descriptions of video metadata. These functions enable security professionals and transportation managers to identify and monitor important elements within the field of view (FoV) so they can determine the appropriate actions to take.

Video is one of the richest sources of data available. Combined with the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and other hardware, video data provides powerful insights for increasing safety and improving the customer experience. Here are some examples of common transportation industry uses for video analytics.

Overcrowding issues

During peak hours, public transport can easily become overcrowded, negatively impacting passenger comfort and safety. Over time, constant overcrowding can also lead to reduced vehicle performance, which can drive up repair and maintenance costs for public transport providers.

Cameras equipped with IoT motion sensors on vehicle doors can help track the number of people boarding at a time. When the vehicle is nearing its maximum capacity, it can alert the driver, who can then manage the situation accordingly.

Station managers could also combine their video analytics system with a real-time station display or a passenger app to improve the passenger experience. By informing passengers that the vehicle has reached capacity, passengers can change their plans accordingly.

Improving time management

Video analytics technology can help officials determine the average length of each route. Beginning when the engine starts, drivers can use video cameras to map their journey.

This information helps drivers and system administrators understand when, where and why delays typically happen. Officials can then adjust routes and schedules as needed to reduce or even eliminate delays in the future.

Additionally, using historical data gathered from previous journeys, the analytics system can predict peak traffic hours, enabling drivers to reroute as needed to keep their journey moving according to schedule.

Creating a safer environment

One of the top benefits from leveraging video analytics on transportation is the technology’s ability to improve passenger safety. Basic video security technology is useful for recording incidents both inside and outside vehicles, but it’s a largely reactive way to respond to incidents.

Most transportation providers already have counter-terrorism measures in place to prevent and respond to severe threats, but transportation managers more often deal with everyday concerns, such as overcrowding, traffic bottlenecks, theft, vandalism, trespassing and passenger behaviours etc.

Data-driven technologies like video analytics enable transportation companies to take a proactive and preventative approach to safety and security without disrupting passengers’ personal privacy or the flow of travel.

Developments in software capabilities are driving these changes. For example, according to BCD Video, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) evolving Forensic Video Exploitation and Analysis (FOVEA) technology enables users to quickly analyse the situation surrounding an unattended package or bag. Human users can select the concerning item and review the related footage to identify the person who left it and follow them through the station to determine whether a threat is present.

Accelerating security investigations

Video security technology has become critical to the transportation industry. However, with conventional closed circuit television (CCTV) technology, authorities must review and analyse tens of hours of footage after an incident occurs, which can significantly delay their investigations. Video analytics software accelerates video data aggregation and automatically filters through hours of footage to identify key insights that are relevant to the case, on the same day as the incident, drastically improving investigative response times.