UP to install inward facing cameras

From the UP web site"

 

Next Step to Prevent Catastrophic Incidents

UP to Begin Installing In-Cab Cameras

August 21, 2013 | 03:38 p.m. CDT

After careful consideration, Union Pacific has decided to begin installing in-cab cameras aboard its locomotives later this year.

"Installing inward-facing cameras in locomotive cabs is another step in Union Pacific's commitment to employee and public safety," said Bob Grimaila, vice president-Safety, Security and Environment. "Safety is our top priority and a way of life that all of us support. Reducing injuries and eliminating fatalities depends on constantly integrating evolving processes, innovations, technologies and equipment."

The inward-facing cameras will join the locomotive fleet's external-facing cameras, called Track Image Recorders (TIR), which since 2005 have been providing images of track, crossings and signals directly in front of locomotives. The video is used in conjunction with the locomotives' Event Recorder data, which includes train speed, throttle and brake settings, traction power levels and horn use.

Through the years, the TIR/Event Recorder data has validated the professionalism of train crews – the vast majority of whom want to do everything possible in the cab to stay safe – and the same results are expected from inward-facing cameras.

Combining inward-facing camera recordings with TIR/Event Recorder data is another step toward preventing the most catastrophic of incidents, such as last year's head-to-head collision in Goodwell, Okla., that claimed the lives of three UP train crew members.

It was a 2008 head-on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a UP train in Chatsworth, Calif., that caused 25 fatalities and prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to call for installing inward- and outward-facing cameras.

UP joins the Kansas City Southern Railroad and Metrolink in equipping locomotive cabs with inward-facing cameras, to verify train crews act in accordance with safety rules and operating procedures.

Pro-active performance sampling of video can increase understanding of crew behaviors, so training and coaching can be improved. Sampling will be data-driven and in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration's Risk Reduction Program. The data prompts will include train handling exceptions, emergency air applications, train separations, red signal violations and speeding.

Use of video technology to ensure safety, security and situational awareness is expanding in public places, government facilities and businesses. The rail industry reflects this worldwide trend, with cameras used in yardmaster towers, tunnels, shops, office buildings, crew vans, border locations and remote control locomotive (RCL) crossings.

Recording cameras will not have any view into private spaces, such as restrooms. The cameras have audio recording capability; however, Union Pacific has no plans at this time to record audio.

More than 5,000 locomotives in UP's fleet will be equipped with inward-facing cab cameras. Of that total, 200 will be installed in the last two months of 2013, with about 4,300 in 2014-15, and another 600 in 2016, concluding in early fall. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Since the unions lost the battle in court, everyone will be getting them soon. The new NS and KCS units already have them right out of the shop. It's only a matter of time.

 

3 cameras...1 in each back corner of the cab, and 1 directly above the engineer control stand. 

 

The ironic part is they are NOT going to prevent a thing, they will only show what happened after the fact, if the cameras survive the wreck/fire in those situations. We already have cameras in our crew vans, and they haven't prevented a thing, but have got many drivers fired after the fact for some petty rule violation. 

I wonder if they'll stream in real time back to whomever wants to watch in Omaha? 

I can't agree.  You and I both know that some -- not most -- crew members will simply not stop listening to their iPods or messing with their phones while the engine is moving.  Additionally, some -- again not the majority -- routinely sleep in the seat while the train is moving.

 

With "limo glass" in the side windows, nobody can observe them from the outside.  The other crew member(s) must decide to report the offending employee to management and be branded a Judas or to reluctantly put up with the practice.  I see this as a way to take the pressure off of the good employees who do not need the stress caused by unwilling co-workers or the bullying that would result from taking action.

 

There is not enough time to monitor all cameras all the time, and anybody who thinks this is another big brother scheme is misinformed about what managers think and do.  However, I knew that certain people on my territory were sleepers.  A couple were sleeping routinely because they had very active social lives at the away from home terminal.  One Engineer had been reported to me by three Conductors and I had ridden with him several times, but he was on his best behavior during those rides.  Finally, he ran a red signal and provided excellent event recorder evidence that he was dozing and fell asleep just before passing the signal.  It was obvious that he had sleep apnea but would not admit it, so we had to dismiss him.  Finally, he saw the light and got treatment for the apnea and  was reinstated.  That could have been prevented by use of a camera to monitor specific employees who are recognized sleepers or electronic device violators but can't be caught by observations made during train rides by supervisors.

 

There's no time for petty stuff with the locomotive cameras.  There are too many employees and too few supervisors to go "prospecting" without some reason to look at specific employees.  And there is also no time for a personal vendetta by a supervisor who might have a burr under his saddle caused by a personal affront from a specific employee.  Remember, too, that electronic surveillance works both ways - any time it is accessed there is a record of who accessed it and when.  Any supervisor using it for personal retribution could be caught at his own game.  No manager gets extra points for assessing discipline.  The van drivers are few in number and work for contractors who often have a different attitude than railroad management, so that is comparing apples and oranges.

 

This can be a tool for use in correcting unsatisfactory behavior, and will do that in most cases.  Modern discipline practices give employees opportunities to correct behaviors instead of exacting punishment.  For the minority that won't cooperate after having been given an opportunity . . . well, they simply do not deserve continued employment in safety-sensitive railroad jobs.

Well Tom...so you think they will do some "RANDOM CAMERA MONOTORING" like they do "RANDOM DOWNLOADS"? I don't doubt that, but they still can't stop it while it happens. Discipline after the fact, sure. All the cameras at every terminal don't stop anything at the time, and we are watched non stop every day. Called in after the fact, and talked to, or disciplined for it afterwards, absolutely.

 

The outward facing cameras almost take an act of Congress to get the footage pulled. That footage has never been pulled for an investigation, whether for the employees side or the company side, to clear an "alleged" offense, or consider discipline. Crews have also been disciplined for what was seen on the crew van footage, after the fact.

 

Lets not forget that all this came about because 1 Metrolink engineer made bad decisions. The RR's and FRA can keep putting out rules and regulations, but they are never going to stop "stuff" from happening.   

Sorry Rich...I have the hang of it now.

Chris

I can tell you that the railroad is extremely reluctant to use video recordings as evidence in formal investigations where employee discipline could result.  Investigations are held to develop facts and place responsibility, if any, through testimony, usually requiring the testimony of a witness with direct knowledge (or expertise in the case when event recorder data is used), and not just a stationary surveillance device.  

 

The railroad is caught between a rock and a hard place.  On the safety side, the technology is available, attorneys and lawmakers know about it, public safety at large demands it, and the railroad can be made to look negligent after a wreck if the technology was not employed.  If railroads do not voluntarily begin to use this technology, then the FRA will have Congress pass legislation requiring use of it (and with a lot more onerous conditions attached, as they always over-fix problems when the railroads don't fix them).  

 

On the labor law side, the railroad is obliged to build a case to dismiss an employee.  This means showing repeated failure on the part of the employee to correct his unacceptable behavior.  I can guarantee that - if the inward facing camera detects electronic device use or sleeping - then some corrective action will be taken, and, if that corrects the problem, then all is well and good.  If the employee does not correct his behavior, then there is only one choice.

 

Nobody really likes being watched at work.  But don't you want the sleepers caught and either remediated or fired so that they cannot be working aboard an opposing train when you are working?  I feel certain you do not like working on the same crew with them, but that you like it even less when they are working on an opposing train separated from yours only by a Stop signal or a written authority such as a Track Warrant.

We are getting cameras linked to magnetic stripe cards at our general aviation airport.  You will be next.  Cameras and recording devices are now cheap.  Maybe all this will go to the NSA?

We already have cameras on many school buses and public transport vehicles and trains. Most of that video isn't going to be seen unless there is a known problem situation that has to be addressed. No-one wants to review every bit of video or event recorder history unless there is a good reason to do so. The need for enhanced security and safety of the public at large outweighs supposed individual rights to privacy in these situations.

You could argue that black boxes on airplanes don't prevent accidents at the time, but the data provides knowledge to ultimately improve safety in the long run.

Well, they get cameras watching the crews, so, who is watching the boring monitor that is showing the crew and how does one keep that person from getting bored out of his mind and fall asleep?

 

And, when do we get cameras on the CEO's etc., etc. so we can monitor their every move so they won't blow the investor's money?

I'm going to tell the guys I know they better stop picking their nose.    

 

 

Kent in SD

In the p.o. facility were I work, they have what is called a Gallery that runs across the whole floor- a series of enclosed catwalks with one way windows and sound cones underneath that view and hear every section of the work floor and docks. You don, t know :

 

a: if you are being watched and

b: don't know when you are being watched

 

You don't dare to even pick up discarded coupons in a garbage can!

Stealing is a non reversable terminable offense- no matter how long you have worked there.

 

Cameras are definitely in our world and our everywhere....someone is always watching.  It was only a matter of time before they migrated into the cabs.  The only concern I have with cameras is are they capturing the entire story.

 

Chris

No, they should be pointed at the track too.

We already have an outward facing camera in the windshield. Had that for years now