Paul H. Barnes

Automatic surveillance in transportation hubs

Surveillance and video analytics systems are typically only used for security.We explore how emerging video analytics can support security and operations needs.A conceptual framework combining security and operations is proposed.An analysis of the proposed framework as applied to an airport is presented.We show how many technologies have dual applications, and the benefits this brings. As critical infrastructure such as transportation hubs continue to grow in complexity, greater importance is placed on monitoring these facilities to ensure their secure and efficient operation. In order to achieve these goals, technology continues to evolve in response to the needs of various infrastructure. To date, however, the focus of technology for surveillance has been primarily concerned with security, and little attention has been placed on assisting operations and monitoring performance in real-time. Consequently, solutions have emerged to provide real-time measurements of queues and crowding in spaces, but have been installed as system add-ons (rather than making better use of existing infrastructure), resulting in expensive infrastructure outlay for the owner/operator, and an overload of surveillance systems which in itself creates further complexity. Given many critical infrastructure already have camera networks installed, it is much more desirable to better utilise these networks to address operational monitoring as well as security needs.Recently, a growing number of approaches have been proposed to monitor operational aspects such as pedestrian throughput, crowd size and dwell times. In this paper, we explore how these techniques relate to and complement the more commonly seen security analytics, and demonstrate the value that can be added by operational analytics by demonstrating their performance on airport surveillance data. We explore how multiple analytics and systems can be combined to better leverage the large amount of data that is available, and we discuss the applicability and resulting benefits of the proposed framework for the ongoing operation of airports and airport networks.

Protecting the protectors: Legal liabilities from the use of Web 2.0 for Australian disaster response

The traditional model for information dissemination in disaster response is unidirectional from official channels to the public. However recent crises in the US, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Californian Bushfires show that civilians are now turning to Web 2.0 technologies as a means of sharing disaster related information. These technologies present enormous potential benefits to disaster response authorities that cannot be overlooked. In Australia, the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission has recently recommended that Australian disaster response authorities utilize information technologies to improve the dissemination of disaster related, bushfire information. However, whilst the use of these technologies has many positive attributes, potential legal liabilities for disaster response authorities arise. This paper identifies some potential legal liabilities arising from the use of Web 2.0 technologies in disaster response situations thereby enhancing crisis related information sharing by highlighting legal concerns that need to be addressed.

Intelligence and anticipation: issues in security, risk and crisis management

This article deals with the way in which intelligence flows and other critical information can be embedded into a risk framework that will facilitate the early warning of emerging threat scenarios. That is, an organisation should be able to anticipate crisis triggers and know when a crisis situation will manifest itself. As an outcome, a conceptual framework that defines how to make sense of complex situations, datasets and real world anomalies is suggested.

Modelling Resilience of a Water Supply System under Climate Change and Population Growth Impacts

Climate change impacts and increased demand due to population growth are among the most common disruptions or pressures that can undermine the service potential of a water supply system. Consequently, the successful management of a water supply system depends on an in-depth understanding of the resilience of the system to such pressures. This study developed a robust modelling approach to assess the resilience of a water supply system enabling the identification of critical trigger points at which the system would fail. The trigger points identified included maximum rainfall reduction percentage to maintain system functionality under increased demand and minimum initial storage beyond which the probability of failure increases rapidly. Additionally, a logistic regression model was developed for taking into consideration the cumulative effects of rainfall, demand and storage variations in order to predict the probability of failure of a water supply system. The study outcomes are expected to provide improved guidance to infrastructure system operators for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of water supply systems under threats posed by climate change and population growth impacts.

Stagnancy in Indonesia's reformed state asset management policies and practices: a wicked problem?

The policies and regulations governing the practice of state asset management have emerged as an urgent question among many countries worldwide for there is heightened awareness of the complex and crucial role that state assets play in public service provision. Indonesia is an example of such country, introducing a ‘big bang’ reform in state asset management laws, policies, regulations, and technical guidelines. Indonesia exemplified its enthusiasm in reforming state asset management policies and practices through the establishment of the Directorate General of State Assets in 2006. The Directorate General of State Assets have stressed the new direction that it is taking state asset management laws and policies through the introduction of Republic of Indonesia Law Number 38 Year 2008, which is an amended regulation overruling Republic of Indonesia Law Number 6 Year 2006 on Central/Regional Government State Asset Management. Law number 38/2008 aims to further exemplify good governance principles and puts forward ‘the highest and best use of assets’ principle in state asset management. The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze specific contributing influences to state asset management practices, answering the question why innovative state asset management policy implementation is stagnant. The methodology of this study is that of qualitative case study approach, utilizing empirical data sample of four Indonesian regional governments. Through a thematic analytical approach, this study provides an in-depth analysis of each influencing factors to state asset management reform. Such analysis suggests the potential of an ‘excuse rhetoric’; whereby the influencing factors identified are a smoke-screen, or are myths that public policy makers and implementers believe in, as a means to explain stagnant implementation of innovative state asset management practice. Thus, this study offers deeper insights into the intricate Web that influences state asset management innovative policies to state asset management policy makers; to be taken into consideration in future policy writing.

A Pandora Box Effect to State Asset Management Reform in DIY Yogyakarta

Indonesia’s public policy reform in state asset management ignited from the publication of unfavourable quarterly external audit results, in which many regional governments achieved low results. It is therefore interesting to observe that after the introduction of said reform in 2006 there is slow improvement of the quarterly external audit results, inducing increased concerns as to the level in which it new state asset management laws and principles are understood and implemented by regional government (Padirman 2009). Mardiasmo (2012) posed the question of ‘what are the influencing factors to implementation of reformed state asset management laws’; in which the ‘voices of reason’—bureaucratic culture, political history, and traditional culture—are identified as a potential explanation to stagnancy in reform. The purpose of this paper is to further analyse the potential role of ‘voices of reason’ in the conceptualisation, introduction, socialisation, and implementation of newly reformed state asset management laws and regulations; with the aim to determine whether or not ‘voices of reason’ does play a role, and if so, how. Mardiasmo’s (2012) work suggested as such, however its validity and in what form does such influence take shape, is not yet known. In achieving the above objective, this paper will provide an in-depth discussion and analysis of one of the main case studies in Mardiasmo’s (2012) work, DIY Yogyakarta Special Region, outlining their version of state asset management laws and regulations; and elements that influences the conceptualisation and implementation of said laws. Further this paper will draw upon qualitative data (available laws and reports, interview transcripts, and observation notes) collected during the period of June–July 2010. Through a meta-analysis and thematic approach this paper creates an ethnography of DIY Yogyakarta’s journey (thus far) in interpreting and moulding expected international and national standards to sit comfortably within its ‘voices of reason’.

Enhancing business continuity management capacities in the insurance industry : a Southeast Asian perspective

As a resilience enhancing practice, business continuity management (BCM) can play an important role in aiding preparation of the insurance industry for coping with the losses incurred by major discontinuity incidents: regardless of cause. Acknowledging the increasing frequency of unpredictable man-made disasters and natural catastrophes, the insurance industry would benefit from examining and implementing, where suitable, key elements of BCM. Such strategic decisions would assist insurers and re-insurers collectively to enhance mutual capability to respond to, and recover from, the impact of significant losses. This paper presents a comparison of opinions about BCM practitioners in both retail and re-insurance companies on the importance of generic continuity practices with actual levels of BCM practice across the two industry groups in Southeast Asia. It suggests means by which multi-lateral cooperation across Asian economies and between retail and re-insurance market segments might enhance the viability of the insurance industry in the face of increased stress from major natural and socio-technical hazards.