Parramatta Station - Transport Hubs

Stakeholder: RailCorp

The brief was to reduce the loitering around Parramatta Station caused by truants and other youth during school hours.

There are several factors contributing to this situation including:

Youths loiter within and around Parramatta station due to the ease of transport and the presence of Westfield

High presence of anti-social behaviour within youths, as they are intimidating proper users of the space, provoking fights and reducing the quality of the community through their behaviour

Youths respond minimally to being asked to move off the premises, merely relocating to a location that is less visible

In response to the brief the following solutions were proposed:

1. The Guardian

2. My School

The Guardian - An Integrated CCTV Camera, High Frequency Sound Emitter and Projector System

The 360 degree CCTV camera within the system will monitor and detect youths that are loitering. Once youths are detected, the sound system can be switched on, where a sound of 18 kHz in frequency and 30dBZ in decibels is emitted.

This level can only be heard by youths between the ages of 10-25 years and becomes uncomfortable after only minutes within its presence.

The projection system will be displaying images of the new youth zone within Parramatta, as well as way finding signage and advertisements, with all these integrated systems passively prompting youths to relocate.

The benefits of The Guardian solution are:

Upgraded CCTV cameras and their recognisable presence allow for increased surveillance and monitoring, ensuring safety

Frequency and intensity levels generate passive relocation strategies that only target loitering youths and do not affect older or proper users of the site, however levels can be adjusted

System operates on kinetic energy generated through the mediation of space

Projection images and signage can be updated and altered to changing conditions

My School - Technology based truancy prevention

The solution to this problem comes in the form of a three step method of preventative and eactionary measures, based around the introduction of the MySchool ticketing system.

With synchronised database systems between schools and CityRail, student travel can be restricted and transit officers have the ability to contact schools and carers where truanting occurs.

The benefits of the My School solution are:

Difficulty in using public transport may restrict truants daily activities

Truanting becomes less appealing and more likelihood of being caught

Registered phone numbers with MySchool ticketing system engages WI-FI technology

Linked databases allows for electronic leave passes via network