The vehicles have been fitted with RX3 Hard Disk Recording system from Innovative Safety Systems ltd (ISS), which can record footage from up to 16 cameras and also captures speed, acceleration and GPS positioning data.
The technology features a ‘LANlink’ facility which allows recorded footage to be transmitted via the vehicle’s router to the WiFi network when vehicles are in range of a depot, eliminating the need for the removal of footage directly from the vehicle.
Biffa’s operations director, David Maidman, said: “Our primary reason for using camera recording systems is for health and safety. We use the information we gain from the cameras to monitor and supervise best practice, as well as for staff training and monitoring trends. The footage can also be used to help investigate complaints or insurance claims.
“The quality of the hardware and the usability of the software is excellent and we like the fact that the product is manufactured here in the UK. ISS work well with all the vehicle manufacturers so they can deal with different tenders and vehicle types. Their input during the build phase has been invaluable and they genuinely add value along the way.”
LANlink
Oliver Hoadley, UK Sales Manager, ISS said: “LANlink offers most of the benefits of using a Live Recording system without the cost and the unreliability. It’s proving to be very popular with customers.”
Biffa is also currently trialling the Cyclear Cyclist Warning Display System with a view to installing the technology onto vehicles going forward. Cyclear alerts cyclists and other vulnerable road users when a vehicle is planning to turn left, a manoeuvre that is a major cause of cycling injury across the UK.
A sensor mounted onto the nearside of the vehicle alerts the driver if a cyclist chooses to undertake the vehicle into their blind spot, but eliminates the false alarms caused by stationary objects such as street furniture and parked cars, which can distract the driver.
Biffa has recently been involved a campaign aimed at improving the safety of collection crews in South Staffordshire, after footage of reckless driving around collection vehicles was released (see letsrecycle.com story). The footage came as a result of all collection lorries in the district having been fitted with 360-degree video cameras since October 2013.
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