Anti-terror technology embraced by New York MTA

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is beefing up its security system by adding 1,000 surveillance cameras and 3,000 sensors. The cost of this security enhancement program is $212 million, in a contract with Lockheed Martin. The deal was announced in late August and installation of the electronic security devices was expected to begin immediately throughout the MTA’s transportation network. MTA Executive Director Katherine Lapp said the project had been in the works for more than a year, but had been accelerated in the past month. “This system, we hope, will detect a terrorist before an incident happens,” Lapp told Newsday. The system, called IESS/C3 (Integrated Electronic Security System, Command, Communication and Control), is expected to provide enhanced monitoring, surveillance, access control, intrusion detection and response capabilities. Security sensor technology integrated with the electronic system will include motion sensors, perimeter sensors, intelligent video, conventional closed-circuit television, as well as other threat-detection technologies. The modular IESS design is configured to be readily expandable to additional locations as well as to incorporate evolving advanced sensor technology as it becomes available. C3 centers will be part of an integrated incident response and recovery management system across the MTA’s network. These centers will link to the new MTA Police Department Mobile Command Center. C3 software will also be available that provides operators and dispatch personnel decision support aids and advanced near real-time analytical tools. An MTA spokesman said the agency will put out another RFP later this year for detectors that will identify biological, chemical and radioactive threats.