looked at my stocks and found this in for bnsf. FORT WORTH, Texas, May 18, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has begun taking delivery of production locomotives equipped with forward-facing video cameras from GE Engine Services (GE). The cameras are being installed to help provide information on grade-crossing and train/pedestrian accidents. The railway expects to equip a total of 350 locomotives, including about 180 new locomotives and 170 retrofits, by the end of 2005. BNSF plans to install the cameras on lead-qualified locomotives that will operate throughout the system. One camera will be mounted on each locomotive. The camera is intended to capture the view of the track ahead as seen by the locomotive engineer. The camera will be mounted inside the windshield of the cab and will be pointed down the track ahead. It will not provide a view of any activity inside the locomotive cab. The camera will be mounted behind the locomotive's windshield and will be fixed in position; it will not be able to move from side to side or up and down. The camera is located so as not to interfere with train crew members' vision from the cab. The camera installation will also include a microphone, placed outside the cab. Its purpose is to record exterior sounds, such as the locomotive whistle and bell; it is not intended to capture conversation inside the cab. The camera will be synchronized with the locomotive event recorder. The camera will provide color video at 15 frames per second, compared with 30 frames per second for standard broadcast video. Each camera will record at least 70 hours' information, given normal locomotive operating conditions. Recorded audio and video can be downloaded by BNSF and used for such purposes as confirming the operation of grade crossing warning devices and motorist behavior. BNSF installed cameras on six GE Dash 9 locomotives as part of an initial implementation in August 2004. The first six cameras helped BNSF determine specifications and requirements for locomotive-mounted video cameras.
Interesting! While not the first I have heard of this, it is the first official word I have seen. Curious, is this video info going to used to nab trespassers, railfans, and others in the interest of 'national security'?
Yeah, this also was included in the email BNSF Today for May 12, 2005. I believe the big reason is for law suits involving grade crossing accidents. It is hard for the plaintiffs lawyer to claim the things they usually do when there is video evidence to the contrary. The horn did not sound, the right of way was full of tall weeds so the train could not be seen but the railroad cleared it all right after the accident, etc. An attorney friend of mine was employed by a railroad to defend them in these kind of cases. It just amazes you how a sympathetic jury can be swayed by such nonsense.
A while back, a UP conductor told me these were forthcoming on their engines. Same described application and intent. But who knows how far they can stretch the whole thing? Boxcab E50
It can also bite the railroad!! If the weeds get mowed a day later, or a sign and post suddenly appear...................
The railroads are in the habit of documenting and photographing the site of an accident as soon as possible for this reason. However, many a jury has been convinced that the railroads doctor such evidence to cover up any problems. With a real time video of the actual accident it is much harder to claim things were doctored although I am sure some will still try.
If this was really happening frequently on a railroad then they surely would NOT be interested in putting cameras in their locomotives. The fact that they are, indicates to me that they are not trying to cover anything up but trying to help prove that they are not at fault in these cases.
I guess time will tell how many times the video gets used in court............ I agree, with so many lawsuits out there, just one ominous video will no doubt stop a million plus dollar payout, but will it be seen each and every time there is an incident???????? These cameras were tried once before. They disappeared as fast as they showed up! [ May 18, 2005, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: doofus ]
BNSF mentioned this program almost a year ago, according to this article in the Google cache. Curiously, I don't see anything on BNSF's site today about this.
As a liability adjuster for airports, I can tell you a good investigation would document all of these things. Signage, vegetation growth, visual sight lines, etc. Legally the addition of signage after an accident does not indicate liability (or in some minds guilt). Without notice of a condition, a property owner, railroad, airport, etc. can argue that they had no prior knowledge of the condition. What frightens me, is that even a well argued case in defense of a railroad, etc. or where liability clearly rests on the plaintiff, jurys are still awarding the palintiffs. The legal system is totally off kilter.
That's SO digitally manipulated. The guy looks like a blob of clay, and the way his legs move is really suspicious. I remember when someone showed me a video from that same site of a clerk shooting a robber and that was also staged/and or photoshopped. There was no blood and the gun flashes were too bright and big. Also the people overlaped the time on the security camera. I'll never trust that page... ever.
Digital technology makes it affordable to put camera and recorders in all locos (and police cars, buildings, etc.) I am not surprised by this at all. Harold
We have had them on our Dash9's for a while on the NS.The picture is very clear and graphic when you collide with a vehicle or person.We get to see video's every year at our rules classes.They have won many court cases and I would imagine that is the reason why other RR's are going to use them now.All I can say is the camera don't lie.At least the camera on the engine don't.
Everybody was worried that the NS cameras were recording crews talking trash about officials and I still find -9s with the sunshades bent around to hide the in-cab reflections in the windshield. I've wished I could get the video off them a few times so I could use them in OL.
