OC Transpo is considering implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to notify special constables of criminal activities and emergencies taking place within its vehicles and facilities, as revealed to Ottawa city councillors. Peter Scislowski, OC Transpo’s chief special constable, informed the transit committee about the agency’s exploration of utilizing AI to monitor security cameras in real-time for anomaly detection. This AI system aims to identify unusual behaviors such as assaults, vandalism, loitering, and emergencies, enabling prompt notification to special constables for intervention.
Inspired by Montreal’s initiative, which employs AI in a pilot project to prevent suicides in the Metro, Scislowski mentioned that Ottawa seeks to adopt similar technology to enhance safety measures. He and Sabrina Pasian, OC Transpo’s chief safety officer, visited Montreal to learn from their successful use of data and technology in operational efficiency.
Pasian highlighted OC Transpo’s growing reliance on AI technology as part of its upcoming public safety strategy. With a network of over 10,000 security cameras, the agency aims to leverage AI for anomaly detection support. Pasian plans to provide updates on the progress of AI research to the transit committee in the near future, emphasizing that the current efforts are in the preliminary stages.
Despite the potential benefits, Laura Shantz from the Ottawa Transit Riders expressed concerns about the untested AI technology leading to racial profiling and increased policing. Shantz emphasized that boosting ridership would be a more effective approach to enhancing safety on OC Transpo, as having more people present at stops can create a sense of security. Pasian acknowledged the need for further examination and addressing risks associated with AI implementation, stressing the importance of thorough research and precautionary measures.