The RTA’s 181 fixed-route buses will each have eight cameras. Its 75 para-transit or Project Mobility buses will have six.
Cameras currently are being installed on the RTA’s 24 new buses, which likely will be on the road next week.
“We will have infrared technology on board,” said Brandon Policicchio, RTA deputy chief operations officer. “We’re going to have every aspect of the bus covered internally, as well as exterior, sides, and a forward-facing camera.
“When you have an upgraded surveillance system you tend to see incidents decrease, so we’re really excited to finally get a new system that’s going to take us to the cutting edge in terms of camera technology.”
The upgrade also will allow the RTA to integrate its cameras with a “real-time” system that will allow live look-in capabilities. The system also will sync with an app that will help riders track bus locations.
“Our supervisors, dispatchers, will be able to look in through an Apple app and an Android app into a bus at any given time,” Policicchio said.
Apollo Video Technology, located in the Seattle suburb of Bothell won the contract. Last fall the RTA estimated it would spend $2.7 million on the project, which is 80 percent funded by the federal government.
“We selected Apollo after a site visit and meeting with multiple bidders,” RTA marketing manager Jessica Heffner said, adding that at least three proposals were considered.
“We felt they were the best based on their track record and referrals and ability to meet our needs tech-wise,” she said. “The video quality is superior. It’s the best system I’ve ever seen.”
WHIO reporter Kate Bartley contributed to this story.
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