Page 18 - Security Today, January/February 2022

The incentive to identify and fix operational issues is financial. If an airline’s ground-support contractors are not performing to the expectations spelled out in their service level agreements, penalties may be enforced. Ultimately, the airline wants to run on schedule, because ratings are based for on-time performance.
Other Use Cases
One example of using IP cameras to improve maintenance comes from a specialty provider that has a smart restroom solution. The camera contains a basic people-counting function and when a certain number of people have used that restroom, it triggers an alert to a maintenance crew to do a cleaning. It sounds simple, but it is actually sophisticated because the system uses different databases, including flight schedules and other data.
Marketing is another role for IP cameras. Most airports have a real estate group, which wants to understand passenger flow — where people hang out while they are waiting for their flights, as well as foot traffic in and out of retail establishments. Therefore, there is a movement to use more IP video technology as a tool to better support that informational need.
The Sky is the Limit
An airport is a major operation that relies on data collection and information management for optimizing all of its various pro- cesses. It is about efficiency and performance, and understanding where the chokepoints and bottlenecks are in the operation.
As well as their role in security and safety applications, IP cameras are equally proficient in collecting and analyzing data for this purpose.
“Today’s IP cameras are the ultimate sensors, supporting processing at the edge and enabling the latest AI and deep learning applications.”
Today’s IP cameras are the ultimate sensors, supporting processing at the edge and enabling the latest AI and deep learning applications. By definition, an IP camera is an IoT device. By adding AI algorithms to the computer vision equation, there can be an interesting debate on how this IoT scheme is competing with other IoT devices.
For example, instead of ground-support equipment having their own IoT sensors, the camera/AI system can classify and analyze the activities of ground-support equipment.
With the avalanche that is coming with AI and deep learning algorithms, use cases are practically endless. This is particularly exciting in light of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal; signed into law in November 2021.
The legislation will upgrade U.S. infrastructure. Airports will share in the $25 billion windfall to address aging infrastructure and reduce congestion, among other uses. With the expanded use of IP cameras for optimizing capacity and enhancing the pas- senger experience, the next five years will be promising for the addition of this technology in airport environments.
Anthony Incorvati is the segment development manager, Transporta- tion, at Axis Communications.
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