PC-1 was approached to partner Secure-IT and installed three Axis 209FD-R network cameras per bus operating on public routes between Cardiff and Llandow. As part of the solution one camera is installed looking out through the front windscreen to capture the driver’s view, another camera covers the front door and driver’s area, with the final camera installed to cover the length of the inside of the bus.
The 209FD-R is designed for use in transportation applications and has a flat design measuring just 4cm tall. The camera is vibration, humidity and dust resistant, offers progressive and features Power over Ethernet (PoE) for simple power and data connection.
Axis’ network cameras were combined with Secure-IT and PC-1’s own specially designed digital video recorder system, which created a solution to cope with the high levels of vibration and extremes of temperature on EST’s buses.
Stumbling black conquered
The DVR is the main stumbling block for most automotive applications but an arrangement for the supply of specialist hard disk drive units, together with some innovative software configuration, has ensured that the units can cope with the harsh reality of transportation installations.
PC-1 has designed application-specific software applications for the transfer of images to the depot’s central computer. When a bus reaches the depot, the driver can download all images, images relating to a specific day or just images linked to a specific incident via a wireless network.
Following the success of this initial implementation, EST Buses has now instructed Secure-IT to install Axis network cameras into a further six buses in its fleet.
Insurance protection
The company is investing in IP surveillance to tackle a number of issues including the protection of their bus drivers from threats and violence through to monitoring fraudulent ‘trip and fall’ insurance claims. Secure-IT is now in discussions with other leading bus operators in the UK.
Carl Hookings, director, EST Buses Ltd, said: “Fraudulent insurance claims were causing our premiums to rise sharply. Providing clear images of individuals involved in incidents really helps with the process of identification in these situations. Already we have seen this system diffuse a claim by a passenger who alleged that one of our bus drivers was being abusive. On seeing the video footage, the passenger accepted that the driver was not at fault and apologised.”
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