September 2008

Calling for Backup Camera Systems Help Ensure Safe Driving Practices By Pam Stask

Sometimes an extra set of eyes is just what the situation ordered. On a busy jobsite, where man and machine come from all directions, double vision can help operators steer safely through the dangerous and dusty seas of a construction zone.

Smart products such as a backup camera system for a work truck can give skippers an additional set of eyes, allowing close up and clear views to aid in backing up, merging into traffic, changing lanes, parking and making those treacherously wide truck turns. Installable on almost any rig (dumps, stakes, cranes, service bodies, plow trucks), camera systems are designed to help eliminate dangerous blind spots drivers may encounter on a daily basis.

With micro-cameras attached on the back or sides of a truck, hardwired to a monitor in the cab, operators can navigate busy job surroundings and avoid obstacles on both the road and worksite.

Rear camera systems from manufacturers such as ASA Electronics, ECCO Group, Intec, Obserview and Rostra Precision Controls have been installed on numerous agricultural and construction equipment, landscape machinery and plenty of heavy-duty and mid-size trucks.

“Our systems are commonly installed on delivery trucks, utility vehicles, cement trucks, bus fleets, beverage trucks, fire and emergency apparatuses, refuse vehicles, straight trucks and tractor trailers,” rattles off Joe Camacho, National Accounts Manager for the Commercial Division of ASA Electronics, a manufacturer of video observation systems based in Elkhart, Ind.
“Rear camera systems not only eliminate blind spots and increase visibility around a vehicle, but they can also help reduce the true costs associated with collisions such as maintenance costs including parts and labor, cargo loss, injuries or worker’s compensation and property claim damage.”

Besides increased vision of the road and obstacles around the driver, camera systems have been installed on the interior of some vehicles for additional safety and security purposes. Graeme Preston, marketing manager of ECCO Group, a manufacturer of electronic safety products for commercial vehicles, notes that cameras are occasionally used in the cabs of prison transport vehicles, armored vehicles and horseboxes, so drivers can keep a close eye on important cargo.

Before a driver can take full advantage of increased road visibility and the safety benefits provided by camera systems, they must understand the pieces and parts that make up these robotic eyes. Customers need to know the equipment that goes into making a complete camera system and the importance of choosing the right set for each and every application.

Constructing a Camera System

When looking to add a camera system to a vehicle, the customer must first consult a professional to construct a system that not only satisfies the visibility needs of a driver, but also fits the budget set aside for the new equipment. A typical camera system, which consists of a monitor, camera and corresponding cables, should be custom-fitted for the individual requirements of the driver. There’s an array of monitors and cameras that can be paired to create the best system to fulfill most tasks at hand.

With the addition of a backup camera system, a driver can keep an eye on other vehicles, people and objects that are in his or her reverse driving path.

Monitors can range in sizes from 3 ½ to 7 in. and are available in black and white or color outputs. Camacho mentions that a customer can expect to pay slightly more for a color monitor, as it is an LCD display whereas black and white monitors are typically CRT displays and more cost effective. Most monitors can accommodate the use of more than one camera, changing views from single to split screens to show the multiple angles of the individual units.

The monitor may be mounted overhead or on the dashboard, explains Daniel Beveridge, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Rostra Precision Controls, a manufacturer of backup cameras and rear obstacle sensing systems based in Laurinburg, N.C. “We’ve even had requests to mount our cameras on the plow of snow plow trucks, so drivers can try to avoid guardrails and other objects when moving snow,” he says.

Manufacturers usually offer a traditional backup camera, for the rear of a vehicle and side cameras that aid in visibility on the left or right sides of the vehicle. The cables are used to attach the camera to the monitor and are available in lengths from 15 to 75 ft.

Before purchasing two cameras, the customer should make sure the monitor can accommodate more than one camera with split screen views; most monitors have extra inputs for additional cameras. However, if there is no extra slot for a wire, a control box is needed. This device allows the wires from multiple cameras to be plugged into the box and then a single cord is routed from the box to the actual monitor, explains Preston. The box is typically compact in size and can be mounted under a seat or the vehicle’s dashboard.

Typically, the components of the systems are picked from a wide variety of OEMs, so customers can find the individual pieces that complement the application and visibility of the application.

The cost of a system can range anywhere from $200 to $2,000, depending on the type of monitor, number of cameras, camera model and other options such as a DVR for recording the camera images.

Although all of the components of a camera system may be purchased separately, system manufacturers do offer specialized kits to meet the particular needs of customers. For example, ASA Electronics pieces together two different kits for the two manufacturers of the United Parcel Service (UPS) trucks. These specific kits help to address the precise visibility and accessibility concerns UPS may have while operating its vehicles, as well as enable easy ordering and distribution, Camacho explains.

Before purchasing a camera, it is important to find a system that is durable enough for the application and any elements it may face. By understanding the durability standards that manufacturers hold their systems to, potential customers can search through different product lines and pick the one best suited for the job.

Designed for Durability

Getting the most productivity out of a new piece of equipment or vehicle is always important. To maximize a camera system investment, a buyer should look at products that have been thoroughly tested to ensure that they can withstand the elements commonly encountered in work conditions, suggests Camacho. He notes to look for keywords such as shock rating, long warranty conditions and durability testing standards before purchasing a camera.

Rear cameras help to eliminate blind spots and increase visibility around the vehicle — with cameras strategically located on the rear or sides of a vehicle for optimal visibility.

To check the reliability and durability of a camera system, customers can look at the testing regimen the systems have endured. For example, some manufacturers insist on putting their camera systems through an assortment of vibration, water resistance, UV exposure, temperature/humidity and transient voltage testing to ensure the systems’ durability. Other tests may include salt spray testing to make certain that the camera can resist corrosion, as well as shock and electrical interference checks. Quiz individual OEMs on the grit and endurance of each system and component.

Heavy-duty, commercial-grade systems, which are generally more durable and have been subjected to extensive testing, can be found at heavy-duty, specialty parts stores, including OEM dealer bases (such as John Deere, Case and New Holland dealer bases). Camacho mentions that the camera systems can also be purchased through various distributor networks such as Leisure Time Marketing, RearVision (RV) Cams, Kingston Mobile and RearView Systems, or purchased directly from numerous manufacturers around the country. Several commercial manufacturers noted that buyers should beware of less expensive camera systems found in auto parts stores that are generally used on cars and motor homes, because they may not be as durable for construction work’s many bumps and grinds.

Adding a camera system to any vehicle — whether it be on a SUV, ambulance or Class 6 dump truck — can increase visibility for a driver and aid in added mobility. By piecing the right system together, truck drivers can take to the streets with an extra set of eagle eyes that help navigate through the rigorous maneuvers of everyday driving.

Pam Stask is a Contributing Editor to Utility Contractor.