NJ Transit has selected Apollo Video Technology to provide video recording systems with Railhead Corp.’s inward facing cameras for the agency’s fleet of locomotives and rail car cabs. Coinciding with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation, the installation of inward facing cameras will aid in accident investigations and operator performance monitoring by transit agency management.
NJ Transit currently operates 704 trains transporting more than 300,000 customers each week day. This installation will furnish the remainder of the fleet with 1,200 cameras and recording equipment across 230 locomotives, cab cars and Arrow III electric rail cars. New inward facing cameras will record personnel operating trains, and according to the NTSB these recordings can prevent accidents by identifying safety issues before they lead to injuries or loss of life.
“Monitoring for and detecting high-risk actions is perhaps the best way to prevent operator-caused train accidents,” said Rodell Notbohm, CEO of Apollo Video Technology. “With a lower cost, faster implementation and similar benefits to positive train control initiatives, video surveillance is the practical first step for improving train safety.”
As stated in the NTSB’s recommendation letter, inward- and outward-facing audio and image recorders improve the quality of accident investigations and provide training tools to improve operator safety and compliance.
“Passenger and crew safety onboard rail vehicles are of upmost concern for transportation managers. Apollo Video’s solution will not only help identify high-risk situations but also provide supporting evidence and video feeds critical for mitigating these risks,” said Notbohm.
