Metrolink Awarded Contract - Cameras in Cab

[paulsafety]

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/05/Metrolink-awards-inward-facing-camera-contract.aspx

"The Los Angeles-based Metrolink will become the first railroad system in the nation to install inward-facing video cameras in all of its locomotives and lead passenger cars. The cameras will record all engineer and other staff activity for forensic and investigative purposes and is designed to serve as a deterrent to the type of unauthorized activities that were revealed at the National Transportation Safety Board's hearing on last fall's Chatsworth collision."

I thought airline pilots have been pushing back against cockpit camera recording systems, but this might begin a long slide towards all commercial operators (motor coach, transit, airline) being recorded?

As a safety professional, I see the benefits (post-crash analysis and lessons learned, post-crash litigation defense) and the possible disadvantages (post-crash litigation plaintiff's fodder, "privacy issues", the need to maintain recordings, potential charges of spoliation if recordings can't be fully recovered or are lost subsequent to the crash).

Thoughts? 

[zardoz]

Railroaders (and eventually others) have Ricky Gates to thank for having to submit to the humiliation of the unconstitutional random urine testing; now railroaders (and the same others) will have the loser who was texting while operating to thank for the complete lack of privacy in the cab. A guy's not going to feel comfortable picking his nose or scratching where it itches knowing it all is being recorded.

I would hope the system will have a recording loop (like black boxes) so that only a certain stretch of time is kept before being taped over. If so, then it wouldn't such a big deal.

[henry6]

I don't like someone watching over my shoulder or staring at me from the side or front when I am working.  Or when riding a train for that matter.  As an employee, being so "micro" watched can be defeating; self conciousness could cause over reactions by an employee and actually have an opposite effect on safe and efficient operations.  As for being a passenger, unfortunateley, I  believe the courts have ruled that if you are out in public places then you cannot complain about public place scrutiny.

As for the urine tests, a freind of mine is in that buisness and you'd be surprised at how many in the transportation business are caught being under the influence or using drugs and/or alcohol while working.  And transportation isn't the only industry which has this problem.  You are free to do drugs or dirnk alchohol on your own time, but when impairs your ability to perform your work efficiently,and more importantly safely, then I am all for random testing...especially if I am going to be a passenger on the train you are operating.