FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2024
MARTA
POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES APTA RAIL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GOLD AWARD
MPD
Recognized for Innovative & Proactive Emergency Management Capabilities
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) has been awarded the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) 2024 Rail Emergency Management Gold Award for heavy rail stations for its outstanding Unmanned Aircraft (drone) System Program. The Gold
Award recognizes MPD’s demonstration of a forward-thinking approach to enhancing event preparedness and security in rail transportation.
“It is an honor to receive this award and for the MARTA Police Department to be used as an industry benchmark,” said Chief Scott Kreher. “In light of the major events happening in Atlanta in the coming years, it is imperative that MPD employs the most cutting-edge technologies and practices to
ensure MARTA’s patrons and employees are safe and secure on the MARTA system.”
“The most important responsibility as a transit agency and our number one priority is keeping our customers and employees safe,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “To see Chief Kreher and MPD recognized for their efforts on a national stage is further proof that the
MARTA Police Department is one of the top law enforcement agencies in the state.”
MPD’s Unmanned Aircraft System Program was created in 2022 and has greatly increased the ability to enhance situational awareness by allowing for proactive surveillance and early detection of security threats. The Unmanned Aircraft System flight crewmembers have conducted over 355 flights and
accumulated over 30 hours of flight time including training sessions and missions.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems create a secure transit environment for employees and passengers by providing timely, high-quality video of locations that may be difficult to access during special events. The high-quality video feed is accessible from the MARTA Emergency Operations Center and the MPD
Mobile Command Center. MPD’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems have been utilized during events such as the Taylor Swift concert, Southeastern Conference (SEC) football championship game, Dragon Con parade, Peachtree Road Race, full-scale exercises and rail station construction.
MPD accepted the award at the APTA Rail Conference in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4. To see a video honoring MPD’s efforts click here
MPD Receives 2024 APTA Rail Emergency Management Award - YouTube
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