SmartDrive Helps Passenger Rail Agencies Improve Safety and Comply with State and Federal Safety Regulations

SAN DIEGO, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartDrive Systems, a leader in video-based safety solutions that identify and help transit agencies ensure operator compliance and performance, today announced that its video-based safety program has been optimized for rail agencies. Rail-specific capabilities have been incorporated into the SmartDrive safety solutions to support agencies' efforts to comply with detailed regulations mandating that passenger rail agencies have video cameras monitor and audit in-cab activities such as using personal electronic devices while operating the train.

The solution is deployed today with a major operator of passenger light rail in California, and is successfully being used to assess operator compliance with the agency's operational and safety policies protecting both their employees and their riders. The system has been designed for use in the rail environment and integrates with other onboard safety and operational systems, like ATP overspeed to help identify specific areas of interest where video can be used to assess compliance.  These events are then analyzed by a team of SmartDrive Rail Operations Analysts for compliance with proper station stop, car operation, and signal procedures. The system also provides management reports, providing agencies with valuable insight into their compliance situation.

As a result, the California Public Utilities Commission gave their written confirmation that the SmartDrive Safety solution meets the guidelines and spirit of CPUC GO 172, which requires that passenger rail cars operating within cities be equipped with an operator-facing camera that monitors for the use of personal electronic devices while operating a rail car.

"Recent rail accidents have renewed public, legislative and regulatory interest in opportunities to improve rail safety," noted Steve Mitgang, CEO of SmartDrive. "By leveraging our proven expertise, innovative video-based safety management and risk mitigation capabilities, we are able to help rail agencies have a practical and affordable way to comply with regulations, and also a way to work with operators to ensure compliance with operating policies improving safety and safeguarding the passengers' experience."

"The safety of passengers and the general public is clearly the major concern for our nation's passenger rail agencies, and SmartDrive can help agencies in this regard, while also providing valuable insights into the level of compliance and, importantly, the root causes of these incidents to improve compliance levels within their rail cars," continued Mitgang. "Regulations prohibiting operator use of personal electronic devices are critical to the safety of the passengers and their operators. SmartDrive's solutions can help agencies monitor and manage operator performance to ensure compliance, thereby reducing the number of unsafe incidents."

About SmartDrive Systems

SmartDrive Systems gives agencies, drivers and operators unprecedented performance insight and analysis, helping to save fuel, expenses and lives. Its video analysis, predictive analytics and personalized performance program help agencies improve skills, lower operating costs and deliver significant ROI. With an easy-to-use managed service, agencies can access and manage performance anytime, anywhere. The Company has compiled the world's largest storehouse of more than 80 million analyzed risky-driving events. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, Calif., and employs 450 people worldwide.

For more information on SmartDrive Systems, please visit www.smartdrive.net. 

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SOURCE SmartDrive Systems

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