Winnipeg Transit has launched a six-month pilot aimed at boosting operator and passenger safety by live streaming bus camera feeds into its control center during emergency situations.
The pilot began June 1 and involves 50 buses. The pilot makes use of existing LTE modem technology, which allows the bus cameras to connect to the Transit Control Center in real time in emergency situations.
Bus operators are trained to contact Transit’s Control Center in emergencies, and with this new technology, Control Center supervisors will be able to immediately tap into the live camera feed from the bus to assess the situation and dispatch the appropriate emergency services. The Transit Control Center is staffed by transit supervisors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Winnipeg Transit began installing LTE modems on buses in 2019 as part of its commitment to updating the technology and technical capabilities of its fleet. The existing camera technology on buses is being leveraged for the pilot, which did not require the installation of any additional equipment.
The recommendation for the live camera feed pilot project was made by the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC consists of a bus operator representative and representatives from transit management, the Winnipeg Police Service, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers (WAPSO), the Winnipeg Committee for Safety, Functional Transit and is chaired by Councilor Matt Allard, chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works.
