When considering safety and security in cities, it is commonly primarily focused on visual. Every effective security system consists of cameras as it plays a crucial role based on the amazing advancements as technology has progressed. At the same time, audio should not be neglected as it is also valuable.
Modern connected audio systems ensure that important communication is conveyed at the right time and place. Accompanied by superior sound quality. Advance audio technologies also assist smart cities to flexibly tackle issues impacting the wellbeing of citizens.
Let’s have a look at how audio solutions can contribute to a safer and smarter city:
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Emergency Notifications
Many cities around the world experience emergency situations, such as severe weather and natural disasters. In such occurrences, it is crucial to inform and guide citizens as early as possible to ensure their safety. Network speakers can reach citizens in selected zones efficiently and effectively. In the event that such a scenario occurs, it is important to have a reliable audio announcement system. Lives can be saved with the implementation of high-quality network cameras, sensors, onboard analytics, and speakers. Which can identify emergencies and communicate warnings.
Audio systems can be programmed to issue a warning signal, play a pre-recorded message. These messages could provide traffic incident instructions, guidance for evacuation, extreme weather warnings, or missing child notifications.
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Non-Emergency Messaging
Non-emergency messaging solutions are used more frequently, if not daily. Safety and behavior guidelines, mobility guidance, background music, or information during events for tourists are just to name a few. The benefits also extend to assist handling parking violations. If a vehicle is parked in a prohibited area, a warning can be issued via the audio system. This also assists in reducing the burden on law enforcement caused by accidental parking violations.
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Crime Prevention and Deterrence
Utilizing limited resources to ensure a city’s safety is a common challenge in cities worldwide. Many cities rely on a surveillance system to oversee the city and manage law enforcement resources efficiently. Video detects crimes such as intrusion into restricted areas or buildings, however, there is no guarantee that guards or police will reach the location on time to prevent vandalism or theft. The combination of video surveillance with audio solution allows the camera to prompt automated audio warnings to the intruder or inform the operator to give a live warning to the intruder by using the audio system. This type of warning is usually sufficient in most cases as the criminals are deterred, resulting in the prevention of requiring additional security measures.
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Sound Detection and Noise Pollution
Whilst the last three solutions primarily focused on ‘audio out’ solutions, let’s consider an ‘audio in’ functionality. Most security incidents in a city are initiated by some kind of noise, such as aggressive behavior, breaking glass, gunshots or raised voices. Audio system advancements are capable of automatically detecting and recognizing pre-defined sounds and send alerts for real and potential incidents.
Surveillance cameras combined with sound detection sensors are valuable to security systems implemented in public places such as parks. The combination of video and sound can be a powerful method to both detect and verify a situation, and enable quick, relevant action to decrease the consequences. For example, when there are loud voices detected in a park, the system could identify the noise and activate the networked cameras for operators to verify if it is kids playing or an attempted mugging.
The safety and security of citizens is frequently emphasized as one of the most important aspects of the development of a modern city. Authorities are increasingly seeking innovative connected technology to improve their cities. This is when the combination of visual and audio offers maximum benefits. The potential applications of audio solutions are practically limitless. The flexibility of these systems allows the user to alter the specific style of messaging based on their needs – it could be pre-recorded, scheduled, live or something else. In conclusion, it is evident that the incorporation of both visual and audio systems will soon become the inevitable solution to ‘Smart Cities’ in the years to come.