What, if any, changes have you recently made to your campus bus service in regard to security?
Tighter security coordination with police
At the University of North Texas (UNT) we have begun formal security coordination meetings between UNT Police and the Denton County Transportation Authority (service provider for the UNT shuttle service). The topics include emergency response procedures and 911 protocol. At UNT, Transportation Services reports to the Chief of Police. Our area is known as Police Parking and Transportation. This makes for a very efficient line of communication. We also have some late night demand-response service that we directly operate with student drivers. These drivers are in constant contact with the police dispatcher.
Joe Richmond, Associate Director for Transportation Services
University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
NextBus has security application
At Georgia Tech, we are using NextBus for real-time bus and trolley arrival, but more for convience than security. However, it does have the advantage of tracking the bus/trolley if a situation does occur. The bus/trolley compound has razor-wire fencing due to the off-campus location. Also, we are extending the hours of our night-time point-to-point shuttle van service to include a third shift for 24/7 shuttle/bus/trolley service for campus night-time safety. Buses are available in a crisis or really any situation for campus use. There have been discussions about adding cameras, but no major incidents up to this point have been documented for the need.
Lance Lunsway, Director, Parking/Transportation
Georgia Tech
Atlanta
Security cameras added to building perimeter
At Western Kentucky University (WKU), we have installed cameras around the building perimeter within the past few months. Rather than monitoring, we tape the area daily and can review a specific date if suspicious or questionable activity occurs. WKU is also conversing about installing GPS systems in our buses within the next couple of years.
Alonda Massey, Transit General Manager
Parking and Transportation Services
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Ky.