USING CAMERAS TO ELIMINATE BLINDSPOTS

We have all experienced the stress and difficulties of blind-spots when parking, maneuvering or changing lanes in our cars. It doesn’t take much imagination to appreciate the difficulties commercial vehicle drivers face every day.

A great deal of attention is now being placed on the dangers of blind-spots by manufacturers, trainers and safety schemes such as FORS, CLOCS and Crossrail, and rightly so.

In the UK 25% of road deaths are caused by reversing vehicles which is a staggering figure when such a small amount of a drivers time is spent reversing. Research from the US suggests that up to 70% of reversing accidents could be avoided using the right equipment, but what is out there?

Vehicle Camera Systems

Described as ‘Indirect Vision Aids’ in the FORS spec, camera systems are perhaps the most obvious solution to eliminating blind spots. Cameras can be placed in strategic locations around the vehicle giving the driver a good view of any troublesome areas when needed.

Modern cameras come in all shapes and sizes depending on what they are needed for, they can super impose guide lines for the driver and can provide a mirror image to ensure the correct orientation of the image.

With varying lens angles and LED night lighting drivers can  experience good vision day or night allowing them to spot and avoid obstacles and vulnerable road users. Care should be taken with lens angles of over 150 degrees as the fish-eye effect can distort the image to an unacceptable level.

Camera Positioning

Where a camera is positioned is of key importance not just to what it sees but also to its reliablity and longevity. Cameras mounted to the extreme of a vehicles body work do get a better view but are more likely to be knocked and bumped.

Care should be taken to ensure rear cameras do not interfere with lift or door mechanisms and when running cables to the rear of the vehicle special attention should be placed not to route cables near moving parts or hot exhaust components.

Driver Display Screens

Cameras are one part of the solution, the drivers display screen is the other. Various options are available which can be mounted to the dashboard, on the roof lining or even on the vehicles existing rear view mirror.

Special consideration of the placement of the screen  should be made to ensure it doesn’t cause problems with VOSA (DVSA) checks.

Display screens can have from one to four channels which determines how many camera inputs they can receive. They should also have a matching number of trigger inputs, these inputs can be connected to vehicle functions such as reverse and the indicators so that the screen can automatically switch the camera the driver needs at that time, a manual override is usually available.

OEM Screens and Cameras

Many vans and trucks now include or have the option to include an in-dash display screen, our technical team can integrate to many OEM screens meaning the look and feel of the vehicles dash can be maintained with better and more versatile camera technology installed around the vehicle.