New wireless technology designed to make Queensland trains safer will enable commuters to surf the web while on the train says Transport Minister Rachel Nolan. Minister Nolan said new wireless equipment to allow security footage to be streamed in real time to a central point would also create wireless hotspots at stations and on trains.
(Media-Newswire.com) - New wireless technology designed to make Queensland trains safer will enable commuters to surf the web while on the train says Transport Minister Rachel Nolan.
Minister Nolan said new wireless equipment to allow security footage to be streamed in real time to a central point would also create wireless hotspots at stations and on trains.
“This means that commuters will be able to log on to the internet and catch up on emails on their train ride to work or while waiting at a station,” she said.
“Access to wireless internet is becoming more and more important in people’s professional and social lives and this technology means a journey on the train can become even more attractive to commuters.
“People travelling to work with their laptops will be able to rely on a strong signal which means they can read the paper online, receive and send emails or simply surf their favourite sites.
“We envisage that the technology will be available on every train and every train station in the Citytrain network.”
The Transport Minister said the new technology would make Queensland the only state in Australia where commuters could rely on constant wireless access.
“This initiative will put us ahead of the track and provide just one more incentive for people to leave their cars at home, get on the train and get online.”
The wireless news follows the announcement yesterday of a plan to crackdown on troublemakers on trains by introducing real-time monitoring of train carriages via security cameras.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the move follows a successful trial of the concept on the Gold Coast line network and the Government intends to go to tender for the new system in July.
“Under this initiative the Government will provide live links from all security cameras on trains to a central control room, allowing police and security personnel to respond rapidly to incidents.
“Staff in the control room will also be able to keep an eye on known trouble spots and crackdown on antisocial behaviour.”
The Minister said the Bligh Government was committed to cracking down on criminal and anti-social behaviour on public transport as part of its strategy to make public transport more accessible.
“Currently, there are more than 6 000 security cameras covering trains, stations and car parks on the Citytrain network,” she said.
“The cameras on trains are capable of recording illegal activities, giving police the evidence they need to catch and prosecute offenders, but they are not able to be monitored live.
“Now police and security guards will be able to monitor travellers on trains, and any incidents, in real time over a wireless network.
“This will give the control room the capacity to track offenders on trains and at stations, and also to co-ordinate a rapid response by police and transit officers.
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