BNSF to install cameras on 350 locomotives by year end

[chad thomas]

from Progressive Railroading

BNSF to install cameras on 350 locomotives by year end

During the past few months, BNSF Railway Co. has begun taking delivery of locomotives equipped with forward-facing video cameras from GE Transportation-Rail.

By year end, the railroad plans to take delivery of 100 new locomotives — as well as retrofit 250 existing units — with the cameras, which are designed to help investigations of grade crossing and train/pedestrian accidents, and improve safety.

Mounted inside the cab’s windshield and pointed down at the track ahead, the cameras record events from the locomotive engineer’s viewpoint. The cameras are synchronized with the locomotive event recorder and record about 70 hours. An external microphone records sounds, such as the locomotive whistle and bell.

BNSF managers can download audio and video recordings to analyze crossing warning devices’ operation and motorists’ behavior.

In August 2004, the Class I installed cameras on six GE Dash 9 locomotives to test the technology, and determine specifications and requirements for locomotive-mounted video cameras.

[tree68]

Maybe they can start collecting them and make a TV show with them - "America's Stupidest Drivers."

Then again, maybe not - "See - he made it - I can, too!"

It should serve to remove any "he said - she said" issues. It would also be good if there was an indication on the recorded video of when the horn, bell, and ditchlight flashers were in operation, in case the microphone fails. You may have noticed the flashing letters on the video from patrol cars...

[Gluefinger]

Hmm...if an accident is resolved at the spot (it was the car driver's fault, he accepts it, and drives home with a damaged car etc.), will the film still be taken frmo the engine? I'd imagine so, with all the liability crap going on these days.

[DPD1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Gluefinger

Hmm...if an accident is resolved at the spot (it was the car driver's fault, he accepts it, and drives home with a damaged car etc.), will the film still be taken frmo the engine? I'd imagine so, with all the liability crap going on these days.

Absolutely... And I doubt they would ever let anybody off that easy. Most legal departments would get on the defensive before anybody has a chance to get them first. The cameras are probably a good idea. I know some crew people fear they will be used as a tool against them, but so far, it doesn't seem that way. Cameras have already been used this way on some railroads for a few years, and it seems to really help with figuring out what happen. If a driver starts some nonsense about the gates not working or something, all they have to do is whip out the tape, and that will be the end of that.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the NEW TrainTenna LP Directional RR Radio Monitoring Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

[AntonioFP45]

Great idea!

It is sickening to hear of the many lawsuits filed by people that were clearly in the wrong in grade crossing accidents. Would love to see some of these leaches lose in court!

But having been a transportation employee myself in the past, I can see where railroad personnel could be uncomfortable. Some employees "might" worry that locomotive cameras could be used by hostile managers. For example, at locomotive servicing facilities or at major terminals where scores of locomotives are parked, could not some "nasty, unscrupulous manger" sneak onboard a unit, flip a camera on and spy on a group of unsuspecting employees?

Sounds crazy, I know. But before some of you flame me, the transit company I worked at for 15 years had a hostile anit-union management team. Collecting video info on "troublesome" employees was done on several occasions.

From reading the past threads here, Class 1 railroads seem to have an abundant supply of managers, foremen, trainmasters, etc., that "burn employees" for the smallest of violations. So like any technology, the potential for abuse will always exist.

Overall, I like the camera idea but stress that caution must always be excercised.

[SSW9389]

Will these be digital cameras? I didn't see what type is to be used in reading the above.

[wabash1]

the norfolk southern has been using these cameras for years they are digital and it is funny to be in court with the people and they swear the gates were not down and you are not blowing the horn but when you pull out the movie suprise.. they leave with their head hanging. the placement of mics was a big issue here on the ns and they are now down in the compartment under the engineer . they record the bell and the horn.

antoniofp45 not to worry about what management will do with the cameras they are on all the time they cant mess with it unless they want to be fired also( at least here on the ns) they are hooked up and record in a loop like the event recorders if you do anything to them cut the power cut a cord to the camera etc... it logs it as a failer and what date and time. all locos are loged by computor where they are so that is all they need . in otherwords if you think you can disarm it it logs yo and then they fire you. it is considered a saftey appliance . my opinion is i like them they wont lie

[Anonymous]

They can install all of the cameras all they want because that's still not gona stop the stupid retarded drivers from violating the law. I was watching a westbound coming my way when some stupid driver just drove right through the crossing gates without any care in the world what so ever. And no I did not call him in because it is just not worth it anymore because the cops are just porely lazy. I mean if the cops ton't seem to care than why should we.

[wabash1]

first off the cops cant do anything unless they see it. the camera is there to protect the railroad. simple enough... many cases have been won by the railroad because of the camera . and correct it wont and cant make people stop going around gates and i dont even stir in my seat when people go around the gates on me i just keep blowing and moving on. until i actually hit them i dont even reach for the automatic.

[eastside]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

from Progressive Railroading

BNSF to install cameras on 350 locomotives by year end

During the past few months, BNSF Railway Co. has begun taking delivery of locomotives equipped with forward-facing video cameras from GE Transportation-Rail.

By year end, the railroad plans to take delivery of 100 new locomotives — as well as retrofit 250 existing units — with the cameras, which are designed to help investigations of grade crossing and train/pedestrian accidents, and improve safety.

They could make lemonade from lemons by Webcasting the output in real-time, letting the viewer select the train to be followed. At first BNSF should do it for free and then, like MS after something becomes hugely popular, charge for it. Amtrak should have done this long ago, broadcasting the driver view to its passengers.

[jeaton]

I think the cameras are a very good idea, and in addition to documenting conditions when there is a collision, could also be used to gather data on "close calls".

As far as the concerns of the engine crew, I can understand the attitude. Few of us like the idea of a supervisor constantly looking over our shoulder. Sometimes it can even be considered an insult. "I know my job and take the responsibility for doing it right. I don't need my boss watching everything I do." Of course, that is a labor-management issue and they write books about it, so I am not going to carry on.

Jay

[coborn35]

What if the camera gets destroyed?
(sorry,I know its a old post)

[ChuckCobleigh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35

What if the camera gets destroyed?
(sorry,I know its a old post)

If I recall, the digital cameras are recording on a flash memory somewhere in the engine, probably near the event recorder. Even if the camera is a goner, the recorded data should survive.

In any event, the types of events that BNSF is installing the cameras for, which would be grade-crossing collisions and similar events, usually leave much of the railroad equipment intact while converting the rest of the participants to general debris.

[wctransfer]

Well, so they only use it if its an emergency, so you could still give rides? Even though its not legal, i was just wondering?

[Anonymous]

I really don't know how I feel about this. At first I thought it would be okay (I support onboard cameras on cop cars), but thanks to your arguments I am not so sure.

[ChuckCobleigh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eastside
They could make lemonade from lemons by Webcasting the output in real-time, letting the viewer select the train to be followed. At first BNSF should do it for free and then, like MS after something becomes hugely popular, charge for it. Amtrak should have done this long ago, broadcasting the driver view to its passengers.

I recall American Airlines putting "cockpit-cam" video on the in-cabin video screens of DC-10 jets during at least takeoff and maybe during landings. It was in monochrome but still pretty neat. If I remember, they had ATC radio audio on one of the headset channels, too. This was in about 1975 or so.

Unfortunately, they were still doing it when they dumped the DC-10 with Flight 191 at O'Hare in 1979.

I suspect the "driver view" on Amtrak would go away after the first grade-crossing collision was shown real-time to the passengers.

[Puckdropper]

I really don't think the "driver view" would be shown in real time. This is one place where I think in the interest of security it would not be a good idea. (This is not paranoia, it's cautiousness.)

However, a 15-20 minute recorded tape of several trips streamed over the Internet would be very neat. Even if it's a year or two old.