EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS: IMPROVED EMERGENCY ALARM/RESPONSE SYSTEM. FINAL REPORT

The purpose of the Emergency Alarm Systems Study is to provide management and supervisory personnel with the background of the bus emergency alarm system of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, and problems associated with the system's use. METRO is used as the basis of this study as its systems and problems are typical of many urban bus systems. This report provides a perspective on emergency alarms as used by transit properties in general. It describes the range of problems involving the use of alarm systems and further addresses the methods and forms of procedures to help remedy the problem of alarm misuse. It examines transit security problems relating to emergency alarms, including false alarms, malfunctions, misuse of the alarm system and alarm system training. It is an effort to understand the nature and extent of the problem and to develop a strategy to increase the efficiency of the emergency alarm system and thereby enhance the safety of mass transit employees and patrons. The report points out that the effectiveness of emergency alarm systems linking buses to police and security support is seriously hampered by a high percentage of false or misused alarms. Research done for this report and elsewhere indicates that human error and misunderstandings caused by a lack of training are the greatest problems in alarm misuse. To gain an overview of emergency alarm systems, the Houston (Harris County) METRO system was evaluated and visits were made to four transit properties. Nine properties were contacted by telephone. Contacts were also made with several nontransit organizations, both government and private firms in order to learn what percentage of the emergency alarms they deal with are false alarms.