CCTV systems - 3 Year Agreement

National Express and Wayfarer Sign Ground-Breaking Framework AgreementThe bus division of National Express Group has chosen Wayfarer Transit Systems as its sole partner for new generation CCTV systems, signing a three year Framework Agreement that encompasses the Travel West Midlands, Travel London and Travel Dundee fleets that total 2300 buses.Under the agreement, Wayfarer will supply specialist surveillance systems compatible with its latest e-Bus open platform that delivers a multifunctional cocktail of on-vehicle applications, commencing with CCTV seamlessly linked to the bus operators’ back office systems. System Monitoring, Driver Management and Back Office Data Mining come as part of the e-Bus package.The system also includes the unique e-Link connection device that has been specially developed by Wayfarer to assist with commissioning, installation and service. It encompasses the WiFi, power management and promotes total connectivity to the on-board CCTV system.Comments Jack Henry, National Express Group Engineering Director: "The Wayfarer solution was selected because it uniquely enables both operating management and bus drivers to access a range of applications that not only address on-bus surveillance requirements, but also enhance driver management, reduce accidents and improve communications. This system delivers important customer benefits which is fundamental to our business philosophy."Typically the Wayfarer e-Bus CCTV system includes a wireless digital video recorder served by 12 mini-dome cameras on double decker buses and nine cameras on single deck buses. A ’state of the art’ touch screen driver’s display can be included in the cab to allow the driver to monitor passenger behaviour and boarding. Information, including driver sign-on, route number, ticket issued, stage changes and ticket number, is stored in the header of each image recorded complete with time, date and camera information. A 17" LCD passenger display is positioned in the saloon of the vehicle, displaying live multiple camera imagery to act as a deterrent to potential vandals and to create a safer environment for passengers and drivers. For driver management, a growing requirement in today’s over crowded cities, G-force events and log files for alarm, brake and indicators are downloaded from the vehicle as soon as it is in range of the dedicated CCTV wireless network. These are logged against the driver through an interface with the Wayfarer ticket machine. The ’e-Mine’ data mining software will request video footage from the bus if G-Force parameters are exceeded. This footage can either be stored at the local depots for the CCTV operators to copy to CD/DVD or on a central server depending on the communication between the various depots.Camera and recorder status reports ensure that the system’s status is monitored at all times. A daily file downloads automatically when the bus is in range of the network and will report faults such as, No Video, Intermittent Video, Poor Video, Drive Faults and System Restarts.Says Wayfarer’s Chief Executive Tony McNamara: "This is a ground-breaking agreement for the industry covering hundreds of buses. National Express Group has identified significant operational advantages both through Wayfarer’s e-Bus open platform and by committing to a single source provider for all associated CCTV technologies."

Published 28th February 2007