Radio Engineering Inc. (REI), announced it has integrated its mobile video surveillance system primarily for sideview mirror vision systems to help school bus drivers and trainers keep a better eye on the “Danger Zone” and illegal passers.
REI optimized its BUS-WATCH DVR system to work out of the box with mirror camera systems manufactured by Velvac. The key, according to Chris Shigley, REI’s sales manager for school and transit, is the integration.
“One of great things about the camera integrated in the mirror itself is it actually puts the angle of the camera in the optimal position to get the best field of view to eliminate the blind spot (around) the bus,” said Shigley, citing studies that indicate side-swipe crashes are one of the largest risk factors for school bus and transit operations, alike.
While Shigley said Velvac supplies mirror systems to the school bus industry, he added the company is best known for its work in the trucking and commercial shuttle arena.
The DVR records the video while the vehicle is in motion for use in driver training plus as evidence of illegal passings, which Shigley said will be a “huge” for the school bus industry to help reduce risk. The camera field of view captures the area of the road ahead of the stop arm to show if it is deployed as well as down side of vehicle.
“(Capturing illegal passers) is exactly where we’re going with the technology,” Shigley added.
He said the system also works with rear-mounted, back-up cameras.
