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The CTA will soon begin testing DriveCam, a driver monitoring technology, on buses at Chicago Garage. DriveCam involves the use of palm-sized audio/video recorders which are mounted on the inside windshield of the bus. A dual lens captures activity both inside and outside of the bus.

While the device constantly records audio and video, recordings are only saved when usual activity is detected. Behaviors that trigger an unusual motion or force such as hard braking, swerving, rapid acceleration or deceleration, and actual collisions will trigger the recorder to save the 10 seconds immediately before and after the event. Video is then sent to DriveCam analysts, who will review the images and send daily, weekly and monthly reports to CTA to identify behavior that needs addressing.

Approximately 300 buses at Chicago Garage will have DriveCam installed as part of the pilot program. The CTA is hoping the technology will lower bus accident rates, thus helping to reduce repair and litigation costs.