Chicago Beefs Up Rail Security With Video Surveillance

Video surveillance technology is being introduced on commuter trains in Chicago, US, to speed up emergency response times.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will be able to tap into live videos shot from inside new railcars to respond more quickly to crime or other emergencies, transit officials told the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

The security cameras are among almost US$27m in upgrades approved this week by the CTA board for 406 rail cars, scheduled for delivery at the start of 2010.

The new rail cars will also feature seats with an anti-stain fabric, flat-screen TV monitors providing the train's location, next station and travel time estimates and a new traction system to provide faster and smoother rides, writes the newspaper.

CTA officials say they expect the new technology to address security concerns among commuters following the phasing out of conductors on commuter services.

By staff writer