Mobile video solution for transit administration

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is deploying March Network's mobile video surveillance systems on its 669-vehicle, fixed-route bus fleet to dramatically improve incident investigations and coordinate with police and Homeland Security operations. MTA selected the solution based on its remote wireless downloading and monitoring capabilities, as well as its proven reliability and high performance in challenging mobile environments. The administration plans to have its entire bus fleet upgraded with the March Networks solution by March 2011.

While MTA staff must manually retrieve video from buses still equipped with legacy recorders, video from March Networks 5412 Mobile DVRs installed on approximately 130 new and retrofitted buses is downloaded automatically via a wireless network as vehicles enter one of four depots. In the future, the MTA plans to enable real-time video monitoring while buses are in service, taking advantage of the solution's support for remote video access over GSM/CDMA/EVDO and WiMax mesh networks. The administration will work to provide law enforcement and Homeland Security agencies with access to the live video captured by cameras mounted both inside and outside of the buses to provide real-time, roaming surveillance in the case of an emergency or a security incident.

"The March Networks solution supports our plan to become one of the first transportation authorities in the United States to deploy a live, metro-wide surveillance capability using a state-of-the-art wireless mesh network. It has already significantly improved our ability to retrieve and store video and remotely monitor system health to ensure optimal performance," said Tammi Bolden, manager of systems and equipment, MTA. "March Networks' reputation for reliability, as well as its global footprint and vision, convinced us that this is the right company to partner with as part of our ongoing efforts to provide a secure environment for the public and our staff."

The MTA's fixed-route bus fleet serves 250,000 passengers daily in the city of Baltimore. Before choosing the March Networks solution from a field of more than a half-dozen competitive options, the administration visited transportation authorities in West Palm Beach and Miami, Florida, to learn about their successful March Networks deployments.

In tests conducted by the MTA, the 5412 MDVRs consistently downloaded 700 MB of video - the equivalent of one hour of video from 10 cameras on each bus - in less than five minutes. The systems enable operators to record video at 30 fps and stream the same video wirelessly from each camera at lower frame rates for live viewing. Furthermore, the 5412 MDVRs easily store video for up to 30 days, enabling the MTA to satisfy a state mandate it was unable to achieve with its legacy system.

"Recognized for exceptional performance and reliability, our mobile surveillance solutions are used by transportation authorities around the world to protect passengers and employees and reduce liability," said Peter Strom, president and CEO, March Networks. "We are currently ranked as one of the leading providers of mobile video equipment by IMS Research, and we expect to continue expanding our market share in both the mobile and fixed transportation segments."