In-vehicle camera recorders are one of the tools that fleet managers have at their disposal to help improve driver behaviour and with it, reduce injury and damage, as well as fuel consumption. Cameras can also be used for security monitoring. Many of the systems are passive in that they record video, usually forward facing, from a camera mounted behind the windscreen. Video images are then frequently recorded on a card, which can either be removed for later analysis, or the system may have a modem to permit uploading of the images. The system may over-write data, recording continuously, including normal driving events.
Just as telematics systems can transmit data from a number of vehicle sensors, they can also transmit video data from a number of cameras mounted on board a vehicle.
DriveCam is based in San Diego California, in the US and a few months ago, the company opened an office in London to expand its operations in the UK and Europe. The London office is managed by Paul Jones, vice president and general manager, UK operations.
The company offers a camera system which only records when the system is triggered. This occurs automatically when on-board sensors record excessive acceleration, deceleration or cornering forces. The driver can also trigger the system manually, for instance to show when access to a location was barred by a locked gate. In an impact, the system will record the impact forces.
The system incorporates a forward facing camera, which records a 131-degree horizontal view and a 152-degree vertical view in front of the vehicle. In addition, the DriveCam system comes with an in-cab lens which will record events inside the vehicle, including driver behaviour and what may be visible through the rear and side windows. The system will record for 12 seconds after it is triggered, designed to capture the eight seconds before and four seconds after an event. This means that the fleet manager does not need to keep hours of video footage, but only the seconds where the system has detected risky behaviour, or evidence from an accident.
The recorded material is uploaded in a secure, encrypted format, via the Vodafone mobile network in Europe, to DriveCam’s Analysis Centre. The data is then analysed by experts and risky driving events are notified to fleet managers. The events can then be discussed with the driver and appropriate driver training can be given, if necessary.
In an accident, the fleet manager also has video evidence of what was happening in front of the vehicle and inside it in the seconds before the accident. The system does not permit camera monitoring in real time, so driver’s need not worry that the system is being used to “spy” on them.
The video database has given DriveCam the opportunity to analyse many driving events, using trained analysts. The information is then used to predict driver behaviour and identify drivers most at risk of accidents before they happen. DriveCam claims it can reduce collisions by up to 75%. All video material is password protected, so can only be viewed by those authorised to view it.
In addition to this, the DriveCam system will give real time feedback to the driver in the vehicle to help them improve their driving.
The system can be integrated with fleet tracking and fuel management to extend its fleet appeal.
Cobra’s Global Live system is designed to deal with vehicle security issues, rather than driver behaviour. Cobra says that up to 16 cameras can be mounted in a van, including an in-cab forward facing camera for accident monitoring purposes. If a vehicle were involved in an accident, footage of the event would be available and may help to avoid a conviction for the driver. Both the interior and exterior of the vehicle can be monitored by using multiple cameras. The images can be monitored remotely for 24 hours a day if needed.
Cobra says that earlier this year, video evidence from a dash-mounted camera was used to help convict a gang who deliberately drove into a van in an attempt to make a fraudulent insurance claim.