PROJECT DALLAS ZOO BY KIMBERLY GUIDRY TANYA RODRIGUEZ

Presentation Overview We will be presenting problems and solutions for two different projects at the Dallas Zoo. –Project 1: Reduce or disguise excessive internal maintenance vehicle traffic. –Project 2: Present ideas for a more secure perimeter gating system.

PROJECT 1: INTERNAL VEHICLE TRAFFIC

Current Internal Vehicle Traffic The Dallas Zoo has an enormous amount of interaction between the visitors and the zoo vehicles in Zoo North. During zoo hours, the internal vehicles range from golf carts and Daihatsu’s (off-road vehicles) to half-ton trucks (road vehicles). These vehicles frequently interrupt pedestrian traffic as the following two slides will illustrate.

Daihatsu’s frequently seen throughout the zoo

Garbage Pick-up Truck

Off-Road Vehicles The off-road vehicles such as golf carts and Daihatsu’s do not have a set pattern or starting point and cannot be re-routed outside the zoo. –We suggest that these vehicles should be disguised for visitors viewing pleasure. –Here are a couple of examples.

Road Vehicles We have designed an external routing system for road vehicles using the Shortest-Path Model with a distance factor versus a disturbance factor. The objective was to find the smallest amount of disturbance from each origin(node) to the destination.

Employee Gate (7,633) ( -, 0) (4,438) (7, 369) (5,805) (7, 422) (6,234) (7,424) (5, 663) (8, 851) [100%] [0%] [95%] [100%] [90%]

PROJECT 2: PERIMETER GATES

Current Gating System The Dallas Zoo currently secures all gates with padlocks. The policy of the Dallas Zoo states that gates should be locked at all times. Unfortunately this policy is not upheld or enforced creating: –easy and free access into the zoo –a weak second barrier for animal containment

Gates Left Open and/or Unlocked After extensive visits we noticed the same gates being left unlocked. Of the 5 gates surrounding the outside perimeter of Zoo North, 2 of the 5 gates were frequently left open. Also, 4 of the 5 gates were usually left unlocked Gates referenced: –Employee Gate on Clarendon –Havendon –Page Street –Page Street (Construction Gate) –Marsalis

Our observations show a 40% chance of a loose animal escaping, and an 80% chance of someone entering for free. These percentages show that Zoo North is an extremely ineffective perimeter Here are a few pictures to demonstrate.

This gate is frequently unlocked.

This gate is always left unlocked and open.

Researching Gating Alternatives We did extensive research on alternatives for making the gates stay closed, locked, and secured. Our research consisted of contacting several different gating and fencing companies along with an extensive Internet search. We would like to recommend two local companies that were quite helpful in our research effort: –Jeff Goodwin at Southwest Automated Security –Chris Brown at Fence Supply Inc.

We recommend using the existing swing gates and adding automation. Which consists of: 1. A swing gate operator6. Inductive Loops 2. A control panel 7. An exit switch 3. An entrance switch8. Gate stops 4. Reversing Loops9. Warning lights 5. Photocell

Six Decisions on Selecting a Gate Operator What direction should the gate swing, inward or outward? How many degrees of swing are required? This is usually 90 degrees. What type of mounting geometry or placement is needed for the swing gate arm to achieve the desired effects? What type of internal locking is needed, “gate safe” or “gate secure”? What speed should the gate leaf travel? This depends on the length of the gate leaf. How many operations per hour, or in other words how many times will each gate open and close?

Initial Ideas In deciding recommendations for each gate, we initially wanted to recommend a barrier arm with a card reader for the employee entrance. This was much more expensive and hard to maintain because each card cost $4. We also considered solar powered gating systems, but they were not recommended for industrial use. Sliding gates were another option, but retrofitting an existing swing gate would be more expensive than using the original swing gate.

Recommendations We recommend utilizing Station 1, which is currently an office that is manned 8:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. 7 days a week for any future intercom or closed-circuit television installed. We have eight gates that we recommend for automation. Gate 1: Employee Gate on Clarendon –recommend automating the existing swinging gate –install a digital keypad with an intercom –possibly install closed-circuit television

Recommendations Cont. Page Street (Current Intercom) Page Street (Construction Gate) Havendon Marsalis (Construction Gate) –automate the existing swing gates –install an intercom with closed-circuit television –possibly install digital keypad with intercom

Recommendations Cont. Subway Gate, internal gate between employee entrance and the zoo 15th Street Gate under Marsalis by visitor entrance –Automate the current swing gate and install loops detectors that allow automatic entry by detecting a magnetic field of an automobile.

Conclusion and Recommendations We recommend utilizing an external path for road vehicles to reduce disturbance. Off-road vehicles should be decorated to create a more enjoyable atmosphere. Perimeter swing gates are recommended for automation to increase security and to prevent future lost revenue.