Subject: / Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
The NMDOT is considering equipping it's motorist assistance patrols with cameras to monitor support activities. I'd be interested to know if other DOT's have done this, and if so what has the results been - both benefits and issues of concern.
With Best Regards,
Charles Remkes, P.E.
From: / "Mcdiarmid, Meredith M" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
NCDOT does not have cameras in patrol vehicles.
Meredith McDiarmid
From: / "Remkes, Charles A., NMDOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Thank you for responding.
Thanks and with best regards, Charles Remkes
From: / "Reshadi, Anne - DOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
In Wisconsin we currently do not have cameras in the vehicles. At the present time we have two models, patrols of major construction projects that are contracted with private tow companies and patrols in Milwaukee and Madison that are contracted with the sheriff agencies. I observed benefits from Maryland's in-vehicle cameras usage during the Ops Academy ride along and tour of CHART.
Anne L. Reshadi
From: / "Frank C. Horne" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Tennessee does not place dash-cams in FSP vehicles at this time, however, like many other states we are considering the matter and welcome a discussion on the subject.
Frank Horne
From: / "Zahul, Kathy" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Georgia's Emergency Response Operators do not use dash cams.
From: / "Gibson, Rebecca (DOT)" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Hi Charles,
We have purchased them for all of our HELP trucks here in NY, however it's only up and running in one Region at this point (we are working on getting them going in the others). I asked that Region for their thoughts:
"We use them all the time. We remote into them during snow storms and can watch up to 4 cameras at a time. We have used them for major events and accidents to get live feeds. We have also used them when investigating complaints to prove or disprove allegations. It is a little pricey, but we really like them."
Becky
From: / "Remkes, Charles A., NMDOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Thank you for the response.
With Best Regards,
Charles Remkes, P.E.
From: / "Remkes, Charles A., NMDOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
I welcome that discussion and would be glad to participate in it.
With Best Regards,
Charles Remkes, P.E.
From: / Scott Yinger[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Charles,
The Maryland CHART program has had mobile video cameras for several years. We are very active in traffic incident management and these activities take priority to motorist assistance. There is a level of value when assisting motorists but I can assure you these camera/video systems are invaluable when it comes to TIM operations.
After using a portable version and working through many integration hurdles, we are moving forward to a fixed mounted device. The portable camera systems have integrated GPS, so icons come up on our mapping software locating our trucks and with the click of a mouse, the video appears. The shortcoming to these devices is that they are portable, can be unplugged by the driver and they solely provide a view through the windshield to which the camera head is adhered with a suction cup. At times, drivers were requested to reposition their vehicles to provide a better view of an incident. These requests distract the at-scene personnel from their primary duties and may compromise the best position of the truck for effective traffic control. Some drivers have resisted having video as some have resisted having GPS tracking.
At this time, we have procured the next generation camera system, again integrated with GPS but these will be mounted to the exterior and hard wired to the ignition. The cameras are Milspec, heated and are remotely controlled from the TOC, SOC (TMC) or even a laptop. They will have full pan, tilt and zoom capability and are mounted on the rack holding the arrow panel providing a 360 degree view around the truck. These devices will be configured similarly into our mapping system. The latency of the video has been decreased to 3-5 seconds and that depends on the strength of the cellular connection. Much like the previous camera system, this video can be viewed on many devices to include a smart phone. Very advantageous for managers and supervisors.
The views provided by Maryland SHA CHART trucks have received much attention and praise from the highest levels of State government. The real-time view of an incident or event prevents many time consuming inquiries, provides more timely information as to which incident responders are on scene, any changes in lane configurations (openings and closings), types of vehicles/debris being encountered and in the event of inclimate weather, road conditions, all without the necessity of radio transmissions. We still transmit this information however this communication is really a confirmation to what is being seen.
Scott
From: / THOMAS K BLAIR <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Scott
Was is the estimated cost/CHART vehicle for the Milspec 360 degree cameras? Sound great!!
Tom Blair
From: / THOMAS K BLAIR <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Scott
Was is the estimated cost/CHART vehicle for the Milspec 360 degree cameras? Sound great!!
Tom Blair
From: / "Remkes, Charles A., NMDOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Thanks Scott very informative and helpful. Appreciate all of the information.
With Best Regards,
Charles Remkes, P.E.
From: / "Remkes, Charles A., NMDOT" <[log in to unmask]Subject: / Re: Motorist Assistance Patrols Equipped with Dash-Cams
Thanks Scott very informative and helpful. Appreciate all of the information.
With Best Regards,
Charles Remkes, P.E.