Transportation Notes
Naturally, our hard-working Wiener Verkehrsbetriebe are consantly trying to improve the journeys of their passengers. They even pay attention — they noticed that people, especially the young kind, listening to loud music care a lot more about their headphones than their ears or their annoyed fellow travelers.
You may have come across this already: Headphones take damage from listening to music loudly. — A warning by the ministry of music
. Why thank you, I’m already thinking about getting new ones.
This not the only recent fad, the new all walkable trains are seemingly now being used for the U1 as well (at least I haven’t seen it until very recently). Walking through the whole train isn’t their only new feature though, you’re also constantly filmed while doing so! They have stickers at the doors that inform you of it: For your security
they say. You’re nuts, I say.
A few years ago, I was robbed and threatened to be killed inside an average 2 AM Saturday night filled nightbus. No-one noticed, or cared enough to say anything. When I contacted the driver because of it, he kicked me out. Mochts as eich söwa aus, owa ned in mein Bus
— I was supposed to deal with someone obviously a lot more stronger than me alone.
How would that have been prevented by cameras watching us? It looked like normal interaction, not even a little suspicious at all. Let me ask this way: which cases of crime can cameras inside trains prevent? Will they keep burglars away that nick purses out of pockets? Unlikely, every wagon has two of the cameras, that’s a lot of video content to look at. Neither will it prevent anything that’s similar to what I’ve experienced.
What it could prevent is beggars asking for money, who no-one really minds (except for old ladies that also think that the MuseumsQuartier is branch office of Sodom and Gomorrah), beggars that stink, someone lighting up seats (note: it doesn’t work) or fights. To me, this is not enough to consciously ensure my security as I enter the train, let alone invade my privacy. I’m sure I’m not alone in this.
maybe the cameras don’t prevent crime, but displace it into other areas where there aren’t people around that could help you. not that anyone would really help you with a robber, as you’ve been unfortunate enough to find out first hand.
i think what would be worse than cameras everywhere would be security staff constantly monitoring them. if the video is just recorded and kept around for 24 hours, and something bad happens, you can inform the police, they get the recording, and you can help them find a good shot of the criminal(s) in question. i don’t know if this would actually improve security, but it would surely be a lot less GeStaPo than enlisting civilians as deputies who spy, via CCTV, on fellow citizens. (i read about this recently, forgot where they’re doing this now … but it’s being done.)
About the only positive thing I can see about those cams is that they are prone to raise the subjective feeling of security in some people - and if you feel secure, you act and appear more secure, thus lowering the chance of being robbed or attacked. Apart from that, it’s a typical “no boom for a big buck” thing - on the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if those cameras would turn out to be dummies one day.
how was the concert? did you go there by metro…?? :D
@Simo: I noticed how much it cost and I really really can’t afford that right now :/ I’d have loved to go, even though I couldn’t find anybody to go with. How about a Metblog Author Fund? :P And yes I do read your blog ;) I’m also considering featuring articles from local blogs, similar to Boing Boing, but I have to discuss this with a few people before I start doing so.
@Nex: Heard about the Quintessenz analog CCTV hacking project from the Schwedenplatz? The monitoring stuff didn’t actually monitor anything useful …
@Philipp: Makes sense, and I agree, the only thing I’m not fine with is the fact how they’re advertising it. From my point of view, it’s just too bold (and I think that’s understandable, considering my experience in the nightbus).
yes michael, heise news ran that story. apparently quintessent also have some knowledge about making yourself invisible for those cameras.
as soon as flickr adds geotagging, we could make a pool with pictures of spycams. and maybe organise guided tours.
I remember reading something about cctv cam cloaking devices.. something with reflection and tinfoil?
i’d suggest lasers, IR blasters, duct tape, paintball guns.
oh, ok. I’m sure she’ll come back soon.. and then I’ll take you there with U3!
about the idea with the fund..well, we are thinking about a linzerwiener convention.. and of course we need loads of dinero for that aswell.. to party at the “club” in schönbrunnerstrasse 105..hehe
Yeah, I reckon those “clubs” can set your budget back by quite a bit ;)
Hi guys!
I’ve just recently moved to Vienna for a six month long project and I was looking around at Viennese blogs. I’m glad to have found you.
The topic of public security cams is hotly debated. If I’m not mistaken the cities that have issues with them right now are Boston and San Francisco. Mondo cash for little or no gained measurable difference.
Anyway, for my personal view: I don’t think that the state has any business *automatically* monitoring public spaces. I’ve noticed the cameras on exits/entrances to the U-Bahn, but I didn’t realize that the trains themselves were monitored as well.
Thanks for the tip! :-)
P.S. The web page looks broken when I preview my comment.
ivan, although i believe i remember that an experimental CCTV system has once been fitted in one of the current trains, it currently seems that the monitoring will only be done in the new ones that haven’t quite arrived yet.
by the way, last time i rode the prototype and tried to use my s65 phone at the same time (not that i wanted to, but someone important had called me), it turned out the interference from the train’s motors all but killed the connection. i barely managed to arrange for being called 10 minutes later when i would be out of the train. and i thought, why, oh why can’t siemens stick to making washing machines. they make such wonderful washing machines. but no, they’re allowed to fuck up public transportation and communications.
well, it’s probably not their fault, but i really like to think so :-) and i definitely am a bit spoiled. in linz, the electronic displays at tram and bus stations show when the next tram/bus *really* will leave, not when it *ought* to leave. and the traffic lights are smart enough to always give trams and busses a green light. and the new trams have nice, comfy upholstered seats, don’t squeak and creak everywhere, and don’t have water leaking in. way to go, vienna.
PS.: whoa, the preview looks proper fscked. but it’s pretty much on par with much of the rest of the current system here. it’s being worked on :-)