Video cameras in loco cabins to monitor train drivers

Aiming at enhancing safety, the Indian Railways will install a new system in locomotives to keep a close vigil on loco pilots during the train operations.

Loco Cab Video and Voice Recording System (LCVR) - consisting of video cameras, microphones and digital video recorder - will also be used for effective post-analysis after train accidents.

Besides LCVR, the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), known for developing innovative ways to improve rail operations, has also developed another state-of-the-art system to monitor locomotives in operation across the country.

Remote monitoring and management of locomotive and trains (REMMLOT), is a network-oriented system connecting locos in the field with centralised server-based management system through GSM network communication and GPS.

REMMLOT system is estimated to cost about Rs 3.2 lakh per loco, provides real-time locomotive health data and location of locomotives, said DLW chief design engineer A K Singh.

Through this system, health or condition of locomotives can be monitored at any place by authorised users.

The LCVR system estimated to cost about Rs 3.5 lakh is being developed at DLW here in close coordination with the Railways' design wing - Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

The video cameras will have facility of day/night vision and along with the microphones, the state-of-the-art system will monitor driver's activities in the loco cabin closely, Singh said.

DLW has placed orders for supply of 12 loco sets of LCVR which are expected to be fitted in locomotives by July this year as a pilot project.

There will be a total of six video cameras to monitor the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot in the cabin and in case of any deviation on the part of the drivers, it will be clearly recorded.

While the LCVR will keep drivers alert all the time, it will also ensure effective and tamper-proof video and voice recording of the loco cabin and track view for post-event analysis, Singh said.

The recordings help in investigating the causes of accidents including whether drivers had jumped red signals.

This also becomes a tool for education of the loco pilots to observe and improve their mistakes or weaknesses.

DLW has manufactured 333 diesel locomotives and one electric loco in 2016-17. The plant has a target of producing 315 locos including 25 electric ones in the current fiscal.