Drakontas demonstrates prototype wireless emergency messaging

Drakontas LLC, a company that develops situation awareness and wireless communications tools for first responders, law enforcement and homeland defense, formally demonstrated its prototype wireless emergency messaging solution for transit passengers in subway tunnels on June 29. The 30-minute demonstration showcased the messaging platform capability inside a passenger train at PATCO's 8th and Market Station in Center City Philadelphia.

The Federal Transit
Administration funded Phase I of the project, the purpose of which was to
explore the specific challenges of providing emergency messages via wireless
networks to transit system passengers in subway tunnels.

Over the past year,
Drakontas has been working with PATCO to survey wireless communications
techniques appropriate for subway tunnels, with the objective of improving
emergency communications with passengers on trains in these environments.

"The FTA has found that
passengers on trains that are experiencing delays or unplanned stoppages
between stations become confused and frustrated due to the lack of communication
with the train operator or control station. This is particularly problematic in
emergencies, where passengers need accurate and timely information," explained
Dr. Alan Kaplan, Chief Technology Officer at Drakontas and the project’s
Principal Investigator. "The FTA asked us to prototype an emergency messaging
system that can operate in subway tunnels and over wireless networks, with the
goal of improving information flow to passengers. We are excited to demonstrate
this new tool that will provide improved safety for transit riders."

Added James Sim,
Drakontas’ President & COO, "Drakontas has built its reputation by
partnering with law enforcement and public safety agencies on the development,
trial and evaluation of communications tools. We leveraged those experiences
for this pilot project with PATCO in order to develop a wireless messaging
system for emergencies in subway tunnels. We are grateful to the FTA for
supporting this effort and to PATCO for lending its expertise and resources to
help us develop a new method of emergency communications in the name of
enhanced transit safety. We look forward to building upon the successes of
Phase I and continuing our work with PATCO in the future."

"Being able to quickly and
effectively communicate with our customers during times of an emergency is of
great importance to us," said PATCO President John J. Matheussen. "It is an
ongoing priority for us at PATCO to do all we can to enhance rider safety and
this cutting-edge technology will assist us in that regard."