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UP to begin installing inward-facing Cab Cams
Author: OPRRMS
Date: 08-21-2013 - 13:17
Press release from Union Pacific:
Inward-facing Cab Camera Questions and Answers
Q: Why is Union Pacific installing inward-facing cameras in locomotive cabs?
A: At Union Pacific, safety is our top priority and a way of life that all of us support. Reducing injuries and eliminating fatalities depends on personal commitment, as well as integrating constantly evolving processes, innovations, technologies and equipment. Using data from inward-facing cameras is one more way we can prevent train collisions and save lives. Nothing is more important.
Q: What prompted the technology?
A: A head-on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a UP train in Chatsworth, Calif., on Sept. 14, 2008, caused 24 fatalities. Subsequently, Congress approved the Railway Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008, which imposed significant safety regulations affecting railroad employees, including hours of service and cell phone use, as well as Positive Train Control implementation. The Federal Railroad Administration’s Risk Reduction Program continues developing and enforcing regulations in response to RSIA.
Additionally, in its report on the Chatsworth collision, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for installing inward- and outward-facing cameras that can provide recordings (information that cannot be captured by other available means) to verify train crews act in accordance with safety rules and operating procedures.
Q: Are other railroads installing in-cab cameras?
A: In 2009, Metrolink became the first railroad in the nation to install inward-facing cameras, with a goal of being the safest passenger railroad in the country. Additionally, the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) decided this year to install inward-facing cameras in cabs of locomotives operating over its property in Mexico and, eventually, in the United States.
Q: Have there been any court decisions regarding the camera installations?
A: Federal and state courts sided with Metrolink over challenges filed by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers involving the inward-facing camera program. One court specifically acknowledged that Metrolink’s in-cab camera policy has several legitimate purposes, including improving public safety and the safety of its employees.
On July 25, a Louisiana District Court ruled in favor of the KCSR, finding that any union dispute over the installation or use of inward-facing cameras is a minor one – and thus covered under existing agreements. The decision means any related issues will be resolved through arbitration without the possibility of a legal strike. Among her findings, the judge ruled it was a minor dispute due to the already existing use of other cameras and employee monitoring within KCSR property.
NOTE: Use of video technology to ensure safety, security and situational awareness is expanding in public places, government facilities and businesses. The rail industry reflects this worldwide trend, with cameras used in yardmaster towers, tunnels, shops, office buildings, crew vans, border locations and remote control locomotive (RCL) crossings.
Q: What about privacy?
A: In the conduct of business, there is no expectation of privacy in the workplace for anyone. However, recording cameras will not have any view into private spaces, such as restrooms.
Q: Do locomotive cabs have other cameras?
A: External-facing cameras called Track Image Recorders (TIRs) have been installed on UP locomotives since 2005, providing an image of the track, crossings and signals directly in front of the locomotive. The video is used in conjunction with the locomotive’s Event Recorder data, which includes train speed, throttle and brake settings, traction power levels and horn use.
Through the years, the TIR/Event Recorder data has validated the professionalism of train crews – the vast majority of whom want to do everything possible in the cab to stay safe – and we expect the same result from inward-facing cameras.
TIR data also has helped identify improvement opportunities for problematic grade crossings to reduce accidents involving motorists and pedestrians; and protected the company from trespasser and crossing-related lawsuits. Combining inward-facing camera recordings with TIR/Event Recorder data is another step toward preventing the most catastrophic of incidents, such as last year’s head-to-head collision in Goodwell, Okla., that claimed the lives of three UP train crew members.
Q: How will the inward-facing camera data be used?
A: Pro-active performance sampling of video can increase our understanding of crew behaviors so we can improve training and coaching. Sampling will be data-driven and in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration’s Risk Reduction Program. The data prompts will include train handling exceptions, emergency air applications, train separations, red signal violations and speeding.
Q: What is the chain-of-custody process?
A: The chain of custody process for inward-facing recordings will be similar to the handling of TIR recordings. Installation and maintenance procedures ensure integrity of the video. Access to the recordings will be restricted to authorized personnel and as required by law.
Q: What is the implementation schedule?
A: More than 5,000 locomotives in UP’s fleet will be equipped with inward-facing cab cameras. Of that total, 200 will be installed in the last two months of 2013, with about 4,300 in 2014-15, and another 600 in 2016, concluding in early fall. Model numbers include SD70M, C45, SD70ACE, C44AC, C44-9 and SD60M.
Q: Will audio be recorded?
A: There are no plans at this time to record audio.
Inward-facing Cab Camera Questions and Answers
Q: Why is Union Pacific installing inward-facing cameras in locomotive cabs?
A: At Union Pacific, safety is our top priority and a way of life that all of us support. Reducing injuries and eliminating fatalities depends on personal commitment, as well as integrating constantly evolving processes, innovations, technologies and equipment. Using data from inward-facing cameras is one more way we can prevent train collisions and save lives. Nothing is more important.
Q: What prompted the technology?
A: A head-on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a UP train in Chatsworth, Calif., on Sept. 14, 2008, caused 24 fatalities. Subsequently, Congress approved the Railway Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008, which imposed significant safety regulations affecting railroad employees, including hours of service and cell phone use, as well as Positive Train Control implementation. The Federal Railroad Administration’s Risk Reduction Program continues developing and enforcing regulations in response to RSIA.
Additionally, in its report on the Chatsworth collision, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for installing inward- and outward-facing cameras that can provide recordings (information that cannot be captured by other available means) to verify train crews act in accordance with safety rules and operating procedures.
Q: Are other railroads installing in-cab cameras?
A: In 2009, Metrolink became the first railroad in the nation to install inward-facing cameras, with a goal of being the safest passenger railroad in the country. Additionally, the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) decided this year to install inward-facing cameras in cabs of locomotives operating over its property in Mexico and, eventually, in the United States.
Q: Have there been any court decisions regarding the camera installations?
A: Federal and state courts sided with Metrolink over challenges filed by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers involving the inward-facing camera program. One court specifically acknowledged that Metrolink’s in-cab camera policy has several legitimate purposes, including improving public safety and the safety of its employees.
On July 25, a Louisiana District Court ruled in favor of the KCSR, finding that any union dispute over the installation or use of inward-facing cameras is a minor one – and thus covered under existing agreements. The decision means any related issues will be resolved through arbitration without the possibility of a legal strike. Among her findings, the judge ruled it was a minor dispute due to the already existing use of other cameras and employee monitoring within KCSR property.
NOTE: Use of video technology to ensure safety, security and situational awareness is expanding in public places, government facilities and businesses. The rail industry reflects this worldwide trend, with cameras used in yardmaster towers, tunnels, shops, office buildings, crew vans, border locations and remote control locomotive (RCL) crossings.
Q: What about privacy?
A: In the conduct of business, there is no expectation of privacy in the workplace for anyone. However, recording cameras will not have any view into private spaces, such as restrooms.
Q: Do locomotive cabs have other cameras?
A: External-facing cameras called Track Image Recorders (TIRs) have been installed on UP locomotives since 2005, providing an image of the track, crossings and signals directly in front of the locomotive. The video is used in conjunction with the locomotive’s Event Recorder data, which includes train speed, throttle and brake settings, traction power levels and horn use.
Through the years, the TIR/Event Recorder data has validated the professionalism of train crews – the vast majority of whom want to do everything possible in the cab to stay safe – and we expect the same result from inward-facing cameras.
TIR data also has helped identify improvement opportunities for problematic grade crossings to reduce accidents involving motorists and pedestrians; and protected the company from trespasser and crossing-related lawsuits. Combining inward-facing camera recordings with TIR/Event Recorder data is another step toward preventing the most catastrophic of incidents, such as last year’s head-to-head collision in Goodwell, Okla., that claimed the lives of three UP train crew members.
Q: How will the inward-facing camera data be used?
A: Pro-active performance sampling of video can increase our understanding of crew behaviors so we can improve training and coaching. Sampling will be data-driven and in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration’s Risk Reduction Program. The data prompts will include train handling exceptions, emergency air applications, train separations, red signal violations and speeding.
Q: What is the chain-of-custody process?
A: The chain of custody process for inward-facing recordings will be similar to the handling of TIR recordings. Installation and maintenance procedures ensure integrity of the video. Access to the recordings will be restricted to authorized personnel and as required by law.
Q: What is the implementation schedule?
A: More than 5,000 locomotives in UP’s fleet will be equipped with inward-facing cab cameras. Of that total, 200 will be installed in the last two months of 2013, with about 4,300 in 2014-15, and another 600 in 2016, concluding in early fall. Model numbers include SD70M, C45, SD70ACE, C44AC, C44-9 and SD60M.
Q: Will audio be recorded?
A: There are no plans at this time to record audio.
UP to begin installing inward-facing Cab Cams