A recent CSX Transportation employee bulletin obtained by Trains News Wire informed train service employees to expect more inward facing cameras and cell phone detectors inside of its locomotive fleet. According to the document, the detectors are triggered whenever a mobile device is turned on and available to a cellular network. If a device has its cellular and Internet functions turned off, or to “airplane mode,” the detectors will not trigger an alert.
“While we don’t always share specifics about how the company deploys technology that enhances safety or security, we are expanding the use of inward-facing cameras and will also equip locomotives with cell phone detection technology as we install the new cameras,” CSX Media Relations Manager Laura Phelps says in a prepared statement for Trains News Wire.
She says the technologies can help the railroad to “…recreate the sequence of events, pinpoint problems and make improvements that further promote safety.”
Norfolk Southern is taking a similar approach.
“We plan to install cameras in additional units in 2017,” says NS representative Susan Terpay. “Active cell phone detection technology was added to a small number of locomotives in 2016, and we will continue this program in future years,” Terpay says.
Neither CSX nor Norfolk Southern indicated which company is supplying the cell phone detection technology.
Inward facing cameras are installed here in Canada, but not turned on and of course a judge up here could order them removed if it violates the Privacy Act. (Privacy Act comes first before any Transport Canada regulation). As for cell phone use, well, that’s a real grey area, but I agree with Mr. Antinore. 5 different interpretations from 2 officials. It’s the way it is. You can play the game Telephone too.
In this case, cameras seem to be a hairbringer of punitive action. Like prison.
Of course there will always be ways around it. If you step outside the cab, does that dumb cell phone detector pick it up?
All I’m going to say about all this is I’m glad I was able to hire out on June 7th, 1968 when we could still “still railroad”, and to be able to retire on May 1st, 2010 when they taught the young know it all officials to disguise them selves as tall switch stands in order to catch someone violating some rule for which you would get 5 different interpretations from the 2 officials doing the testing! Welcome to the 21st century style of railroading people.
Charles: every lead locomotive on every train has outward cameras? Just saying each inward facing camera should always be paired with outward camera. that way, you get both sides of a story.
How about outward facing cameras?
What about for Amtrak?
I would make a prediction.. We have not heard the last of this INWARD FACING CAMERA THING…These kinds of article are only the opening salvos, wait until the employees have gotten a ‘taste’ of ‘blowback’ ref\garding the use of these inward-looking camera’s from the companies, and their enforcement proceedings’ involving ‘readings of the photo evidences’. .The cameras are a punitive action and will be a contract issue at some point.
Why not use a system that detects sleeping or distraction but otherwise does not involve a person watching the crew? It has been invented.
Just remember folks. Proper etiquette when faced with cameras at work is very important. When scratching or rubbing an area on your face or forehead, always be sure to face the camera and use your middle finger.
Big Brother is watching you! It used to be nice when folks were both trusting and trustworthy. Oh well.
“How about outward facing cameras?”
They already have those.