Fostering Digital Trust for Smarter Places

Sydney Olympic Park Authority is excited to release its latest case study, ‘Fostering Digital Trust for Smarter Places’.

The case study takes an in-depth look at the challenges presented by the introduction of new technologies in public spaces. Specifically, it examines the importance of building trust and engaging meaningfully with local communities, visitors and others who would interact with these technologies, both prior to and throughout implementation stages.

At the centre of the study was the Park’s introduction of Dynamic Crowd Measurement (DCM) technology, an advanced camera-based facial expression detection and analysis system introduced on a trial basis in 2023 to boost crowd safety during major events. 

With a focus on transparent communication, SOPA engaged Helpful Places to assist in putting people’s needs at the centre of responsible technology use, via the implementation of the Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) communication standard. The standard, used by municipal governments and place management organisations, ensures a participatory approach to the deployment of technology in public spaces. 

By utilising the DTPR standard as a framework for engagement, SOPA’s community, made up of workers, residents, visitors and others, was provided with a crucial feedback mechanism and a voice in the roll-out of technologies that would impact them. DTPR principles were incorporated in physical and digital signage deployed around the park, including QR codes linking to further information designed to familiarise users with these new technologies and address questions and concerns, as well as a survey function.