The big picture
The board of directors approved up to $5.1 million for a contract with Preferred Technologies, a local security systems integrator that has previously worked with Trinity Metro and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
Javier Trilla, vice president of innovation and information technology, said the project will install a centralized access control platform for security badges to be used at all DCTA offices and facilities. The program also includes network surveillance cameras and storage devices at several DCTA facilities, including:
- The DCTA Administrative offices
- Downtown Denton Transit Center
- Bus and Rail Operations Facilities
- A-train station platforms
- Buses
- A-train vehicles
“The A-train vehicles today do have cameras in place,” Trilla said. “What we’ll be doing is updating all the camera and network video recorder technology that’s in the vehicles today.”
Also of note
Preferred Technologies will also implement a unified security monitoring system powered by Genetec Security Center. The new system will unify all of the DCTA’s security measures under one software platform, Trilla said. Officials will be able to monitor all DCTA facilities and DCTA vehicles from a centralized security operations center.
What’s next?
The project was initially expected to take four years but Preferred Technologies proposed a two-year schedule for installing the new security measures, Trilla said. The current timeline anticipates the project will finish in the third quarter or fourth quarter of 2026.
“I’m excited about that because what it does is it means we’re securing the agency at a much faster rate than four years,” Trilla said.
After board action, officials are expected to finish planning and begin acquiring materials. Following that, Preferred Technologies will begin installing the access control systems and cables for the new video surveillance system. Once that’s complete, new cameras will be installed, he said.
