Your fleet may have cameras—but are they doing enough to protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians? A basic camera system provides an important foundation of a truly effective surveillance strategy but may only be used to reactively view what has already happened. Advancements in technology now allow transit agencies to be proactive in preventing incidents, improving response times, and enhancing the passenger experience.
Why Expanding Your Video Camera System is Critical
Public transit fleets face evolving challenges, from accident prevention to real-time monitoring and passenger engagement. As new safety technologies emerge, integrating complementary solutions into existing camera systems provides transit agencies with better oversight, faster incident response, and improved data accessibility.
According to Lucius McCelvey, VP of Mass Transit Sales for Safety Vision, “With technology available today, transit fleets can address common challenges such as blind spots, limited video storage, and security concerns while improving the overall rider experience.”
Key Upgrades to Enhance Your Transit Fleet’s Video System
1. AI Blind Spot Detection – Eliminating Hidden Dangers
Blind spots pose a major safety risk for transit vehicles, increasing the likelihood of collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. AI-powered cameras monitor these areas in real time, providing drivers with visual and audio alerts when objects are detected in critical zones, helping to prevent accidents before they occur.
Impact on Safety:
- Reduce side collisions and pedestrian accidents.
- Improve driver situational awareness, particularly in busy urban areas.
- Support compliance with new safety regulations on blind spot monitoring.
2. Mirror Replacement Monitors – Expanding the Driver’s Field of View
Traditional mirrors have limited visibility, especially in poor lighting or adverse weather conditions. They are also expensive to replace once damaged, which is a growing problem in the transit industry. Digital camera monitor systems (CMS) offer a clearer, more reliable alternative, replacing standard mirrors with high-definition camera feeds that provide a wider and more dynamic field of view. Digital mirrors offer more flexible placement within the cabin, helping minimize the risk of damage in tight or crowded spaces.
Benefits:
- Eliminate mirror-related blind spots.
- Enhance visibility with night vision and glare reduction.
- Reduce mirror maintenance and replacement costs.
3. Cloud Storage & Wireless Video Retrieval – Improving Data Security & Accessibility
When an accident happens or a security incident arises, every second counts. Delays in accessing crucial video footage can mean the difference between resolving an issue quickly or facing prolonged investigations. Onboard video storage methods require manual retrieval, increasing labor costs and the risk of data loss or tampering. With wireless connectivity, video can be scheduled for automatic uploading to a secure cloud platform, allowing for remote access and faster incident review. This ensures that transit agencies can respond in real time and access the data they need when it matters most.
Impact on Efficiency:
- Eliminate the need for physical SD card or hard drive retrieval.
- Protect video footage from tampering or hardware failure.
- Enable real-time incident response and data sharing.
4. Infotainment Monitors – Engaging and Informing Passengers
Effective communication is crucial for transit agencies looking to improve their rider experience. Infotainment monitors display real-time transit updates, safety messages, advertisements, and emergency alerts, keeping passengers informed and engaged throughout their journey. These monitors also offer multilingual support, ensuring accessibility for diverse passenger demographics. By providing important route updates, public service announcements, and even entertainment options, infotainment screens create a more connected and informed transit experience, leading to increased rider satisfaction and confidence in the system.
Benefits:
- Keep passengers informed with real-time schedule updates and route changes.
- Enhance onboard communication with safety alerts and announcements.
- Provide an opportunity for ad-based revenue generation.
A Transit Agency Tests Mirror Replacement Monitors to Improve Driver Visibility
A recent example of digital mirror adoption comes from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), which launched a one-year pilot to test a rear-view safety system that replaces traditional mirrors with high-definition screens and cameras. The goal was to address visibility issues and blind spots that often affect driver awareness, especially in busy urban settings and during poor weather conditions.
To support a smooth transition for operators, STM prioritized ease of use by placing the monitors in the same location as traditional mirrors, positioning them on the pillars inside the driver’s compartment. This positioning helped drivers retain their natural scanning habits while adapting to the new system.
Early feedback from STM drivers has been encouraging, with several operators reporting improved visibility when navigating dense urban environments. As one STM official noted, "The drivers who took part in the testing were very enthusiastic about it.” These initial results suggest that mirror replacement technology is not only practical but could also become a long-term solution for enhancing fleet safety and reducing incidents related to blind spots.
Source: STM Press Release
Final Thoughts: The Future of Transit Surveillance
The next generation of transit safety goes beyond standard video recording. By incorporating AI-powered detection, digital mirror replacements, cloud-based video access, and infotainment displays, transit agencies can ensure a safer, smarter, and more efficient fleet.
Being a leader in transit safety begins with staying abreast of industry trends. As technology evolves, modern, passenger-friendly transit networks will integrate these innovations into their existing camera systems.
About Safety Vision
With over 30 years of experience, Safety Vision continues to be a trusted leader in mobile video surveillance solutions for public transit. Known for helping agencies evolve their camera systems beyond the basics, Safety Vision provides integrated technologies such as AI-enabled blind spot detection, digital mirror monitors, wireless video retrieval, and passenger infotainment systems.
Our focus is on delivering solutions that not only enhance safety but also improve operations and the rider experience. Working with transit agencies across North America, we continue to support smarter, more proactive approaches to fleet management through innovative video and data solutions.
