Transportation update: new bus cameras, GPS tracking and routing training explained

At the Feb. 19 Business Committee meeting the transportation presenter updated the committee on driver training, camera installations and routing software. The presenter said a recent bus driving course at a local high school had five attendees who will proceed to the DMV for permits and required driving hours; the presenter also noted that 59 drivers and monitors were acknowledged in January, representing high attendance.

The presenter described ongoing camera installations across the fleet and demonstrated sample images and recording capabilities. She said every camera has a microphone for on-board audio in specific zones and that the camera system includes multiple interior and exterior views plus a rear backup camera. The presenter described a GPS/map tool that records vehicle "breadcrumbs" — time-stamped coordinate points that show where a bus has traveled and record speed at those points. "It'll show me how fast they were going or how fast they're going at that moment," she said, adding that the system enables follow-up on reported incidents such as scrapes to mailboxes by allowing staff to pull video and speed/location data for investigations and insurance purposes.

During questions, a committee member said callers who report speeding often lack bus numbers. The presenter explained that operators can query the system to identify which bus was on a given street at a given time and then produce speed and coordinate data for that bus. The committee did not take action; the item was an informational report and the committee adjourned afterward.