Skip to main content

San Diego deploying Apollo Video Technology’s transit camera system

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), in California, has selected Apollo Video Technology’s RoadRunner MRH DVR and back-end management software for its fleet of transit vehicles.
March 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), in California, has selected 850 Apollo Video Technology’s RoadRunner MRH DVR and back-end management software for its fleet of transit vehicles. In the first phase of the project, Apollo will replace existing transit surveillance systems in 246 of MTS fixed-route buses and deploy wireless back-end equipment providing fleet-wide data and real-time video streaming. Ultimately, the four-year contract (base plus three option years) will equip more than 500 transit buses.

The new installation will include the company’s digital video recorders (DVRs), interior and exterior cameras, motion detectors, and wireless local area network (LAN) equipment. The contract also includes vehicle information management (ViM) software which will supply MTS with vehicle status reports, event logs, on-demand video clip retrieval and automated downloads of event video.

MTS undertook an extensive RFP process to select Apollo as the contractor for the project. The RoadRunner system was then installed on four transit buses as part of a 45-day test phase, which was successfully completed this month.

MTS will utilise the MRH8 and MRH12 series DVRs equipped with seven to nine cameras based on the specific bus types.  Each camera system supplied by Apollo will provide MTS with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities, allowing transit officials to monitor real-time video and location data. To capture potential incidents occurring inside the transit yards overnight, MTS requested that Apollo include motion detection capabilities to trigger the system to start recording at the first sign of movement. The passive infrared sensor detects any movement inside the vehicle when the bus is turned off.

“The combination of passive infrared sensors and the ViM software will ensure that MTS has top-of-the line video surveillance management while recording activity on the bus at all times,” said Rodell Notbohm, general manager of Apollo Video Technology.

Related Content

  • Developing a wireless cooperative traffic management system
    March 14, 2012
    The use by MDOT of 90-foot concrete poles on which to mount CCTV equipment reduces the number of poles needed to monitor a given area and incidences of occlusion
  • SmartWitness to expand InSight’s LiveCam solution
    May 30, 2019
    SmartWitness, a manufacturer of vehicle CCTV, has entered into an agreement to expand Insight Mobile Data’s LiveCam solutions line. Insight will now offer SmartWitness’ dashboard-mounted video camera as a combination in-cab video and GPS tracking solution for fleets looking to record driving events while also capturing real-time vehicle location and activity. Doug Hawley, chief operating officer, at InSight, says adding a combination vehicle tracking and video unit to LiveCam “provides a simpler dashcam
  • Wi-Fi win-win for mass transit
    October 31, 2014
    David Crawford explores passenger and operator benefits of on-board Wi-Fi Urban commuters’ growing demand for continuous – and reliable - internet connectivity is spurring network operators into the rapid installation of high-grade Wi-Fi access on their surface and underground networks, as well as in their stations. Such moves are often a key part of strategies to maintain and increase ridership levels.
  • Queensland providing free Wi-Fi on city trains
    March 23, 2012
    In an Australian first, free wireless internet technology will be rolled out on all new Queensland Rail city trains from later this year. The announcement follows a successful Wi-Fi trial and the Queensland government will now spend AU$6.5 million (US$6.98 million) installing the technology in new trains. "The trial has been a huge success, the technology has been installed and is now fully operational on the test-train with customers able to sit, back and take advantage of the free internet on their journe