 |
Re: The Worthlessness Of Inward Facing Cameras
Author: Ernest H. Robl
Date: 04-30-2009 - 13:53
Okay, I didn't see the original NBC piece, but ...
As a freelance journalist, I am interested in all types of
transportation and transit issues, though my major emphasis
is rail transportation and transit. I've written for transit
(and travel) trade publications, and receive both of the two
major U.S. transit trade publications (Mass Transit and
Metro) -- and I've written for both in the past.
These publications usually contain a number of ads for video
surveillance equipment on transit vehicles, primarily buses.
The main point of most of these ads is that these video
surveillance systems help prevent crime. I doubt that in
most cases inward facing video cameras at the front of a
vehicle are focused solely on the operator. However,
including the operator in the field of coverage makes sense,
as some crimes aboard transit vehicles are aimed at the
vehicle operators. (Yes, bus drivers have been assaulted
and robbed.)
I have somewhat mixed feelings about these video systems --
but, as transit vehicles are essentially public places, I
think we have to consider them a fact of life. I don't
know how useful they are in preventing crime -- as anyone
can tell you that it is essentially impossible to mesure
things that don't happen.
The North Carolina DOT locomotives used on the in-state
state-subsidized Amtrak Piedmont service have outward
looking video recorders -- in addition to the normal
locomotive event recorders. It's my understanding that
that these tapes have provided useful evidence in several
grade crossing collisions.
Several years ago I was aboard an NS Operation Lifesaver
train (NS engine and two business fleet cars) that had
a tractor trailer (a fortunately empty log truck) pull into
its path. There was a nose-mounted camera that provided
a live feed to the passengers, so we saw the collision in
read time. But, not only that. The video feed was also
recorded. I heard that the trucker tried to sue NS. When
his lawyer saw the video -- which showed the truck not
slowing down and the driver not looking for a train --
the suit was quickly dropped. (Of course, the engine
event recorder also showed that the train had blown its
horn approaching the grade crossing.)
-- Ernest
As a freelance journalist, I am interested in all types of
transportation and transit issues, though my major emphasis
is rail transportation and transit. I've written for transit
(and travel) trade publications, and receive both of the two
major U.S. transit trade publications (Mass Transit and
Metro) -- and I've written for both in the past.
These publications usually contain a number of ads for video
surveillance equipment on transit vehicles, primarily buses.
The main point of most of these ads is that these video
surveillance systems help prevent crime. I doubt that in
most cases inward facing video cameras at the front of a
vehicle are focused solely on the operator. However,
including the operator in the field of coverage makes sense,
as some crimes aboard transit vehicles are aimed at the
vehicle operators. (Yes, bus drivers have been assaulted
and robbed.)
I have somewhat mixed feelings about these video systems --
but, as transit vehicles are essentially public places, I
think we have to consider them a fact of life. I don't
know how useful they are in preventing crime -- as anyone
can tell you that it is essentially impossible to mesure
things that don't happen.
The North Carolina DOT locomotives used on the in-state
state-subsidized Amtrak Piedmont service have outward
looking video recorders -- in addition to the normal
locomotive event recorders. It's my understanding that
that these tapes have provided useful evidence in several
grade crossing collisions.
Several years ago I was aboard an NS Operation Lifesaver
train (NS engine and two business fleet cars) that had
a tractor trailer (a fortunately empty log truck) pull into
its path. There was a nose-mounted camera that provided
a live feed to the passengers, so we saw the collision in
read time. But, not only that. The video feed was also
recorded. I heard that the trucker tried to sue NS. When
his lawyer saw the video -- which showed the truck not
slowing down and the driver not looking for a train --
the suit was quickly dropped. (Of course, the engine
event recorder also showed that the train had blown its
horn approaching the grade crossing.)
-- Ernest
