Optimizing safety across Dutch Railways
Learn how the largest passenger carrier in the Netherlands created a unified control room and how operators can now quickly gather evidence and easily share it with police officers, paramedics, and other partners.
The company
Dutch Railways (NS) facilitates the use of public transport in the Netherlands and keeps travelers in the region moving. It is the largest passenger carrier in the Netherlands, providing more than 4,800 train rides per day for 1 million people. With passenger and staff safety top of mind, NS implements many measures to increase physical security. This includes using video surveillance at railway terminals and in trains, managing gate access to stations and deploying on-site security personnel. Over 900 employees oversee security at NS, which is divided into two groups— Regional & Social Safety Management, the Safety & Service (V&S) department and the control room.
The challenge
Until 2018, the NS control center operators used in-house developed software to monitor security and manage incidents. When that software reached the end of its lifecycle, NS issued an invite for a tender. According to Frank Bontje, Manager of the NS Control Room: "The procurement procedure included three important elements. Firstly, the continuity of the IT platform had to be improved. Secondly, our goal was to implement an integrated alarm center. Finally, we also emphasized that that the new provider should not just be able to deliver the best functionalities; but they should also understand the importance of working closely with and supporting its customers."
The solution
Unified transit operations
Using Genetec™ Security Center, Dutch Railways was able to create the unified control room they were aiming for. All video and data comes back into one view, enabling faster decision-making.
Guided operator response
Genetec Mission Control™ helps control room operators better understand unfolding events and quickly identify the best course of action
Simple evidence sharing
With Genetec Clearance™, NS operators can quickly gather evidence and share it with police, ambulances and any other chain partners, if needed.
Flexible system architecture
A custom-made module was also part of the implementation. Insightful incident information is now available quickly to colleagues, making coordination during incidents go smoothly.
“By using Genetec Security Center, we’ve been able to create the unified control room we were aiming for. And with Genetec Clearance, NS operators can quickly gather evidence and share it with police, ambulances and any other chain partners, if needed.”
Frank Bontje, Manager of the NS Control Room at Dutch Railways
Results
NS selected Bosch as its System Integrator for the implementation of Genetec Security Center, Genetec Mission Control, and Genetec Clearance. “We were aware that Genetec offers general solutions that allow organizations to share data easily if required— an important element for NS. Our Schiphol contact also confirmed that Genetec supports organizations’ preferences about how to set up the security platform. Due to our complex security and IT situation, this was an important factor in selecting Genetec solutions," said Jan Teekens, Architect, Social Safety.