RTC using AI software to improve safety at Las Vegas transit centers
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada announced Wednesday that it will be using artificial intelligence to strengthen security at transit centers.
In a joint release, RTC revealed that it would be adopting and implementing security company ZeroEyes’ AI-based gun detection program. RTC says the software is already being used within its facilities.
This partnership will see RTC become the first transit agency in the country to use “weapons detection analytics,” according to a press release. The software has been rolled out on a one-year contract.
If a gun is identified by the program, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center, which is staffed around the clock with military and law enforcement veterans. Those experts will then determine if the threat is valid, and inform local law enforcement and RTC staff with a visual description of the suspect, gun type, and last known location.
In situations where a weapon may be hard to see, the software’s algorithm has been trained to identify the gun’s shape and features over any background.
“Part of our training process is to include the hand placement on the firearm,” said JT Wilkins, Senior Vice President of Sales for ZeroEyes. “You’re going to hold a gun very differently than... any other type of object.”
He added, “By adding the hand placement in there, it really allows us to identify a firearm quite a bit faster in more opaque situations.”
Response times average around three to five seconds from image detection to notifying the authorities.
As far as when valley residents may see this technology on RTC buses, Wilkins confirmed to FOX5 that the idea was discussed with RTC leadership, and implementing the platform in transit centers is only the first step.
Bus drivers, however, are skeptical about how the software will increase safety overall.
“It is the worst I’ve seen it in 14 years in terms of safety right now for drivers and passengers,” one bus driver, who wished to stay anonymous, told FOX5. “Transit police. That’s what we’ve been saying for years. Not security. Transit police.”
This news comes as bus drivers continue to raise concerns about safety on RTC buses. However, RTC reports that between 2022 and 2023, incident numbers on buses dropped by 12% while ridership increased by 21%.
The driver added, “Who’s going to enforce this system? If you had transit police, they at least are going to be there and enforce it. I don’t trust the RTC being involved in the enforcement part of it at all.”
RTC is currently prohibited by statute from having transit police.
“RTC prides itself on its ability to identify transportation challenges and implement solutions,” said MJ Maynard, CEO of the RTC. “Tens of thousands of people depend on our transit system every day, and we continually look for ways to improve their safety and security.”
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