Keeping visible, staying secure
Richard Lane, commercial director of video telematics provider VisionTrack, explains how increasingly sophisticated technology is protecting drivers, vehicles and their cargo
Video telematics is now proven to help fleet and transport organisations to operate in a safe, efficient and socially responsible way – but as the technology advances, we are seeing a growing range of security applications being unlocked.
By combining connected cameras with supplementary technology and services, these businesses can gain added peace of mind that their vehicles, drivers and loads are not at risk.
Built-in and plug-in panic buttons are now available with many vehicle cameras, so drivers can activate an alarm in the event of a security threat, whether this is a potential hijacking or road rage incident.
When pushed, an alert is sent to designated managers to warn of an issue, while video footage from before and after the incident is automatically uploaded to the IoT platform for immediate investigation.
With transport operators increasingly turning to multi-channel camera solutions, using connected mobile digital video recorders (MDVRs), it is possible to gain complete visibility externally and internally.
A wide range of forward, driver, side and rear facing cameras can be combined to provide an all-round view of a vehicle. With both live view and comprehensive recording functionality, it can help determine the changing response needed as an event unfolds or provide the insight needed to undertake a thorough investigation afterwards.
Any multi-camera solution can also include a load-facing device to monitor the safety of cargo or equipment within the vehicle. The live view can be available to the driver via an in-cab monitor in real-time as well as remotely by office-based personnel or even a customer.
This can be used alongside door sensors, which can detect unauthorised entry that triggers an alert and uploads a recording from the load camera.
Meanwhile, a third-party monitoring service ensures any incident is reviewed and escalated without delay. A monitored first notification of loss (FNOL) solution, allows transport operators to not only manage the insurance claims process more efficiently, but also maintain a high-level of duty of care to drivers.
For many organisations, reviewing and responding to alerts can be both time-consuming and costly, so this provides another layer of protection with 24/7 visibility. In the event of an incident, a dedicated call centre operative liaises with all relevant stakeholders including the emergency services and insurance partners.
Transport operators face a growing threat from vehicle-related crime. Video telematics can enhance any fleet security strategy, providing added visibility and context, so immediate steps can be taken to safeguard drivers, mitigate risk and minimise the impact of any criminal activity.
