Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) entire rail system is now equipped with high-definition (HD) cameras, CTA President Dorval Carter and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently announced.
The installation of 1,000 HD surveillance cameras throughout the Red and Blue line subway stations marked completion of a project to install the cameras throughout the entire rail system, according to a CTA press release.
Since May 2018, CTA crews have been switching out analog surveillance cameras with new HD cameras across all nine Red Line subway stations and all 12 Blue Line subway stations, as well as installing additional cameras to improve surveillance coverage.
In total, 660 existing cameras were upgraded and 340 cameras were added, expanding the previous subway station camera coverage by more than 50 percent, officials said. CTA’s security camera network has more than doubled in size since 2011 and now boasts more than 32,000 cameras systemwide – making it the most comprehensive networks among major U.S. transit agencies, they said.
As part of the multiyear Safe and Secure program, 1,000 additional cameras will be added and more than 3,800 older model cameras will be upgraded throughout the rail system.
Additionally, new lighting, repairs and other improvements will enhance safety at all 145 CTA rail stations. Video monitors will be added to all CTA rail stations to aid personnel in monitoring station and customer activity
