The World Cup and Olympics are bringing much-needed transportation technology to Brazil
Article published in The Review, special edition (January 2012)
Two major upcoming sporting events may herald a new, tech-savvy era for transportation in Brazil. The 2014 World Cup, and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, are behind the drive to update the country’s creaking transportation infrastructure. And not a moment too soon: the Brazilian tourism ministry is expecting between 800,000 and a million visitors for the 2014 World Cup – a huge influx that will test the transport network to the limit. The lack of transport infrastructure also hinders Brazil’s economy through inefficiencies in cost structure and competitiveness.
A key area of focus is the country’s airports, which are already running at overcapacity, often resulting in long delays for passengers. The government has its work cut out: in April 2011, the Economic Research Institute of Brazil pronounced that it was unlikely that the airports would be ready in time for the World Cup.
RAPID action
While the government rushes to meet the deadline, recent and upcoming technological developments will benefit Brazilians long after 2016. In August, the Brazilian federal police force started testing the RAPID system that is already used at Faro Airport in Portugal. RAPID enables speedy and automatic recognition of passenger ID documents that have been issued with computer chipsand biometric technology.
The system consists of a VBeGate, produced by Portuguese company Vision-Box, and a biometric verification system. The technology is designed to reduce the time passengers spend at immigration and the need for officials to check passports individually – handy when processing hundreds of thousands of visitors. It uses biometric data analysis to compare passport photographs with passenger faces and the goal is to roll out the technology in time for the World Cup, should it meet with approval.
Super-fast 4G
Cities hosting World Cup games in Brazil will be among the first to get 4G wireless technology. Soon, Cuiabá, Curitiba and São Paulo will boast the 4G networks that are up to 10 times faster than the 3G equivalent. This will allow users to access all the latest traffic and transportation information at blistering speeds.
Crowd control
Another futuristic development is the implementation of biometric-enhanced glasses that, in conjunction with a facial recognition camera, capture 400 facial images a second. These images are relayed to a database that can store up to 13 million faces and alerts the user in real time if further action is required.
The glasses, to be worn by police for the World Cup, are being rolled out at bus terminals and airports in Brazil and used to manage crowds at soccer matches and concerts.
Brazil goes contactless
The country is already ahead in certain aspects. In 2009, the MasterCard PayPass contactless technology was implemented in Rio de Janeiro, allowing users to access certain train stations, cinemas, restaurants, parking and the Metro system. The benefits for visitors – and residents – are obvious: instantaneous access to services and goods for users of MasterCard’s contactless cards and efficient transportation around the events.
Cracking down on car theft
In July 2007, the Brazilian government took a technological stance on vehicle theft. In a country where 1% of its 35 million vehicles are stolen every year, a telematics system that uses GPS and cellular connections to both track and shut down stolen vehicles seemed ideal. Since the government first proposed it, however, the program, SIMRAV, has met with opposition from stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Concerns over privacy, cost and differing levels of enthusiasm from car makers have slowed the rollout, which is currently scheduled for January 2012. When it finally goes ahead, the technology could prove an effective deterrent.
Related Focus : The success of London’s Oyster smart card
Oyster – London's hidden treasure
Technology on show – the Olympic dividend
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are being viewed as an opportunity to showcase more than just sporting prowess to domestic and foreign visitors alike.
