This abbreviation may be coming to other transit elevators if it proves its snuff in Atlanta: UDD, short for Urine Detection Device. The sensors and the camera will force offenders to find appropriate places to relieve themselves, or risk arrest.
The good news for users of Atlanta’s transit elevators can’t come soon enough, explains John Bachman of WSB-TV, Atlanta in this newscast about the new program deployed by Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
The olfactory problem is "about to change with first-of-its-kind technology which catches 'offenders' literally -- with their pants down," he explains in the newscast. It all comes down to the "splash factor".
credit: WSBTV - Atlanta
Standing in an elevator, MARTA Director of Elevators/Escalators Tom Beebe tells Bachman (with a straight face) how UDD works. "If somebody was to urinate in here, there's going to be a splash factor. It would splash and it [camera points to UDD in elevator] would sense," Beebe said.
Bachman explains that “if a person relieves her or himself, the sensors sound the alarm and the MARTA police will be there in seconds to catch the offender in the act.”
The pilot program has been in place for a month, and that daily problem dropped to one incident, in which an arrest was made.
The cost: $10,000 per UDD - which MARTA can probably recoup in reduced maintenance costs. But for their transit customers who use the elevators, it may be priceless if it solves the problem.
FULL STORY: Urine detection system installed in Atlanta transit station elevator
Atlanta Announces Four New MARTA Stations
The city’s Beltline will gain a new connection to heavy rail.
Atlanta’s Five Points Station Overhaul Enters Public Review Phase
The project is part of MARTA’s effort to support more transit-oriented development in downtown Atlanta.
New TOD Breaks Ground in Atlanta Area
The project will include over 500 housing units, commercial and retail space, and park spaces.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
