The Challenge

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, used to have a reputation as one of the most graffiti-plagued cities in Europe and every year Helsinki City Transport spent a fortune cleaning and repairing its fleet of 131 streetcars. The city began cracking down on graffiti in 1998, but without onboard video surveillance systems, its streetcar fleet was an easy target. In 2002, the transportation authority cleaned or repaired 16,000 square meters.

The Solution

When Helsinki City Transport began considering video surveillance for the safety and security of passengers and employees, the city’s anti-graffiti project director realized that onboard surveillance would also be an effective way to discourage and identify those responsible for defacing and vandalizing Helsinki’s streetcars. Following the deployment of March Networks Mobile DVRs, the incidence of graffiti plummeted to 5,000 sq m per year and savings in cleaning and repair costs add up to 200,000 Euros annually.