Installation of Video Cameras in Train Engines -Indian Railways

Installation of Video Cameras in Train Engines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 

MINISTRY OF  RAILWAYS 

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO  66

ANSWERED ON  21.07.2017

Installation of video cameras in train engines

66 Smt. Vijila Sathyananth Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that Railways have decided to install video cameras with face recognition software linked to an alarm system in train engines;
(b) whether it is also a fact that this system will alert the control centre in case drivers fall asleep; and
(c) whether it is also a fact that besides Loco Cab Video and Voice Recording System (LCVR), Diesel Locomotive Works has also developed a system to monitor locomotives across the country, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER   MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO 66 BY SHRIMATI VIJILA SATHYANANTH ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 21.07.2017 REGARDING INSTALLATION OF VIDEO CAMERAS IN TRAIN ENGINES

(a) &(b): Ministry of Railways has decided for fitment of “LOCO CAB VOICE RECORDER” (LCVR) on about 520 locomotives with the purpose of ensuring loco cab and track view for post-event analysis. The system will allow us to confirm the nature of crew communications and the dynamics of crew actions and interactions. Such information would facilitate accident investigations and allow accident investigators to eliminate extraneous factors which can cause an accident.

The equipment will comprise of a camera and microphone mounted inside loco cab for audio-video recording of all communication by loco pilot and assistant loco pilot during run and an external camera mounted to record external front view from the loco cab as seen by loco pilot while running of the train. The day/night cameras and microphone will be integrated with a digital audio/video recorder and digital memory to preserve about 1 TB data storage that can be retrieved for analysis on a post-event basis as necessary in case of unusual incidents or an accident. However, the system will not have any face recognition software or any alarm.Provision for LCVRs on 45 locomotive cabs on Indian Railways has been initiated for which Purchase Orders have been placed. No supply has been made so far.Furthermore, as a trial, Indian Railways has authorized M/s GE to provide one such system in a diesel locomotive. This is under trial since 04th May 2017.

(c): Remote Monitoring and Management of Locomotives and Trains (REMMLOT) for diesel locomotives and Microprocessor Based Control System (MPCS)/Remote Diagnostic System for electric locomotives have been developed by Indian Railways and already provided in 3361 diesel locomotives and 134 electric locomotives respectively. The information on parameters of important equipments on locomotive is being collected and transmitted online to home shed of the locomotive where expert technical personnel observe and monitor performance and health of the locomotive. The expert personnel with the available information plan in advance
locomotive maintenance before the locomotive arrives in shed and also guide the loco pilot with necessary details in case any problems are being faced so as to enable effective troubleshooting on the locomotive as and when required.