Tuesday, May 12, 2015

NTSB Releases Report on Commercial Vehicle Onboard Video Systems

©iStockphoto.com/Tony Tremblay
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a safety report about the benefits of commercial vehicle onboard video systems and recommendations to make these systems more effective. Commercial vehicle onboard video systems can either continuously record or start recording once a trigger event occurs. In the event of a crash, NTSB uses information from the onboard videos to investigate and determine the probable cause of the crash, to make recommendations to prevent future crashes, and to reduce loss of life and injury.

According to the agency, its report discusses advantages of the video systems and highlights improvement areas such as the need to be able to see the driver and each occupant’s seating location, the need to be able to see forward of the vehicle, optimized frame rate and low-light recording capability. Proper installation and maintenance of these systems is also a concern.

In addition, the report lists recommendations that address improper camera positions, benefits of systems that capture events inside and outside the vehicle and facilitating research into real-world scenarios to mitigate occupant injuries.