- Vastly improved security and safety on Bogota’s public buses with cameras backed by tailor-made back-end software
- Allows for seamless integration and communication when sharing technical knowledge with local partners
- Global references for transportation industry
Experienced provider with global reach
VIVOTEK Inc. is a leading global provider of IP surveillance solutions. The company has created an international network that includes offices and subsidiaries in the US, the Netherlands, India, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Japan, as well as over 183 authorized distributors in more than 116 countries.
Bogota revamping its bus fleet with high-tech requirements to improve safety, address theft and stop fare evasion.
Colombia’s capital, Bogota, suffers from significant traffic congestion and most residents commute by bus. The biggest concern on city buses is security, particularly personal safety and incidences of theft. In addition, widespread fare evasion affects the revenue of bus operators.
Due to the public’s reliance on buses for transportation, Bogota’s mayor in 2018 began planning a massive overhaul of the city’s bus network, with several requirements for replacement buses.
First, because of the large number of buses in use, which cause significant air pollution, the new buses needed to be energy-efficient, eco-friendly and have low floors for passengers with disabilities. Second, the city government sought to maximize capacity with two and three-segment articulated buses able to carry up to 160 and 250 passengers, respectively. Finally, the buses should be connected with a smart video surveillance network that would contribute to better safety and security for passengers and staff.
Work began in 2018 to introduce a total of 2,700 new smart buses to the city’s transportation grid. The first phase of the project aimed to replace 594 buses, of which 500 new buses were introduced in 2019.
One-stop shop provides complete solution, from onboard cameras to network to storage, reducing costs and maintenance efforts.
VIVOTEK Business Brand Division Vice President William Ku said that “to provide for public safety on buses and overcome problems of fare evasion, the best response is to implement intelligent video analytics able to quickly provide information to law enforcement agencies.”
Each bus is equipped with 11 or 13 mobile dome cameras — depending on whether it is a two or three-segment articulated bus — all of which are designed specifically for use in vehicles.
“Buses are a special application, because they are a transport tool, so designing and planning the wiring and image transfer systems require a professional solution provider,” Ku said. “We were much honored to be selected for the project.”
Due to its scale, the Bogota project was split into three phases. At least 4,500 mobile dome cameras and 450 network video recorders were provided for the project in the first quarter of 2019.
From the cameras and the onboard Power over Ethernet switches to the network video recorders and back-end video management software, all parts were supplied by VIVOTEK. As all the systems need to work together accurately and achieve image transmission without legacy, the choice to deploy solely VIVOTEK devices was a natural one.
The resounding success of this project is largely due to VIVOTEK providing the customer with one-stop shop service through its profound experience and complete product portfolio. This is important for both users and management, as it reduces integration barriers, as well as maintenance costs.
“VIVOTEK places great value on ecosystem partnerships and works closely with local partners through our project teams, which consist of a dedicated professional team, providing practical and technical support for VIVOTEK solutions,” Ku said.
Durable cameras provide round-the-clock security, even in a high-vibration environment
The onboard surveillance system is necessary to provide information to authorities in case of a security incident. Therefore the cameras being used in the project have to meet several requirements for durability — primarily the ability to withstand damage by hostile parties, so the casing must be impact resistant. In addition to external factors, the devices also need to comply with traffic regulations, as they are being used in a vehicle, as well as product safety rules.
A bus is a high-frequency vibration platform, but the project’s objectives require clear images. As such, the cameras selected must have specifications that are generally superior to those of normal cameras to ensure a clear picture.
Further complicating the issue, normal security cameras usually incorporate infrared lights to improve low-light visibility. These lights are typically accompanied by a red light, which alerts people that surveillance is underway. However, for the Bogota project, the red light was eschewed, because the primary objective is to help protect passengers without making them feel like they are being watched.
Smart Search in back-end software allows users to rapidly search for critical video
The project also implemented VIVOTEK’s self-developed video management software to monitor all cameras.
Security systems need to operate around the clock and incidents calling for the rapid search of critical video footage are on the rise. Thanks to VIVOTEK’s Smart Search function, the security operator no longer needs to search through extensive footage for critical videos, improving both efficiency and the response time following any incident.
Seamless communication between headquarters and local support.
As this is VIVOTEK’s first and largest transportation project in Latin America, it has invested a significant amount of personnel, time and effort, Ku said, citing challenges integrating various parts of the project with different parties, communication issues and a high level of technical difficulty.
Most of the challenges involved in the Bogota project are derived from its sheer scale and state-of-the-art goals, Ku said, citing as examples the vendor for the buses not being familiar with IP camera technology and having to work closely with the local systems integrator, which often meant that VIVOTEK teams needed to spend more time both in communication and also on the ground in Colombia.
VIVOTEK prepared ahead of time and established communication early on, Ku said, adding that Colombian authorities have been collaborating with the firm during product testing, expediting the regulatory process.
VIVOTEK established its Latin American office in Mexico with local technical support and sales managers. They provide services and communicate with the principal, and relay any technical needs back to the firm’s research and development team, which creates custom solutions.
The headquarters provides the technical know-how to local sales — an example of perfect teamwork, Ku said.
As the Colombia project has been the company’s largest case in transportation, it is the benchmark for other countries, he said.
VIVOTEK Inc.
Smart surveillance
Intelligent mobile surveillance
Selling points:
- First 500 of 2,700 new buses introduced to city transportation network featuring smart surveillance system for improved public safety
- In the first quarter of 2019, at least 4,500 mobile dome cameras provided for Bogota’s new buses
- One-stop shop — all hardware and software provided by one provider, guaranteeing interoperability and reducing costs and maintenance efforts.
- Smart Search incorporated into back-end software, allowing users to rapidly search for critical video
- Durable cameras that can deal with high-frequency vibrations ensure uninterrupted surveillance coverage
