Metro News Release
For immediate release: August 26, 2010
Metro installs new cameras on Metrobus fleet
Driver assessment system will help improve safe driving
Metro has begun to install new cameras on its fleet of 1,500 buses to assist with improving Metrobus safety by documenting incidents and assisting operators to develop safer, more efficient driving habits.
As part of a five-year contract, DriveCam will install cameras on all operational Metrobuses; review and analyze video footage; and provide feedback on operator driving habits.
Metro currently has security cameras on many of its buses that are primarily used to document customer-related incidents. DriveCam’s main focus is to help the Metrobus staff reduce incidents, and improve safe driving habits. 
The DriveCam system will capture video and audio inside and outside of Metrobuses, detect when an operator makes a defensive move to avoid an accident, brakes or accelerates suddenly, turns sharply, or is involved in an incident. View actual DriveCam footage demonstrating the system's effectiveness at documenting vehicle incidents for evaluation and investigations: Video 1 Video 2
DriveCam will analyze the data from such events and that analysis will be provided to management, supervisors, trainers and operators. The information will be used to encourage good driving habits, correct poor habits, and help in investigations.
“We believe DriveCam’s expertise will help us provide our customers with even safer bus service,” said Jack Requa, Metro Assistant General Manager of Bus Services. “But many others will benefit from this partnership with DriveCam, including operators, pedestrians and other drivers on the roads.”
Installation of the system began in mid-August and is expected to be completed and fully operational by January 2011. Metrobus officials are integrating the system into the bus fleet in phases, which includes equipment installation, operator and supervisor training, and policy education throughout all nine Metrobus divisions.
Metro Chief Safety Officer James Dougherty said DriveCam will help Metrobus operations by “identifying risky behavior” before the behavior results in an incident. “This is another tool that we will have to train our personnel to focus on safety,” he said.
Deployment of the system on Metrobuses, which cost $3 million to install and monitor during the next two years, resulted from an extensive analysis of the DriveCam services by Metro officials. The system is already in use on MetroAccess vehicles.
Along with the training and safety benefits to operators and customers, the system is expected to help reduce vehicle damage, workers’ compensation claims and personal injury through accident prevention. Metro also anticipates that the system will help save fuel as a result of improved driving habits.
The DriveCam system is already in use in other transit agencies in San Francisco, Austin, and New Jersey. Locally in the Washington metropolitan region, DriveCam users include Washington Gas, Amerigas and AGL Resources.
Metrobuses operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and transport about 430,000 passengers throughout the national capital region each weekday.
News release issued at 11:21 am, August 26, 2010.