Astrata, a provider of location-based solutions for the connected fleet, supply chain, government and aviation sectors, announced the launch of VideoLinc, a video surveillance solution that improves road safety, reduces accident claim costs and cargo damage and guards against false allegations. VideoLinc provides dispatchers and drivers with a 360° view and increases safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
A quarter (25%) of road deaths in the European Union are the consequence of a collision involving a goods vehicle, according to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), authors of a new report on the safety of goods transport by road. In 2019 the EU agreed[2] to increase the minimum safety standards for new lorries from 2026 by, for example, enabling drivers to see other road users more easily through larger windscreens and transparent panels in doors, and by requiring pedestrian and cyclist detection systems. The UK continues to participate in the ETSC Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) program.
In line with these requirements, Astrata has launched VideoLinc, a video surveillance solution that identifies critical events by using images from connected dash cams at the front, rear and sides of the vehicle. Available as a stand-alone solution or integrated with Astrata’s DriverLinc solution, VideoLinc combines telematics data with event-based video sequences to provide an overview of what actually happens on the road, streaming live video to the back office upon request or when triggered by a pre-configured alarm.
With rear, side and trailer cams that monitor both critical events that could cause damage, and the movement of cargo during loading, transport and unloading, VideoLinc reduces the risk of cargo damage and cargo theft of high-value or condition-sensitive cargo. This ensures the safe delivery of cargo. The solution also helps to provide evidence and legal protection for businesses and drivers, reducing accident investigation costs and protecting against staged accidents, false and/or exaggerated claims, conflicting reports of incidents, and erroneous allegations (speeding, traffic signal violation, swerving, etc.).
VideoLinc features include:
· Automatically uploads and bookmarks video footage triggered by harsh driving behaviour, such as fast cornering, harsh braking and accelerating, speeding
· Records critical events
· Streams live video to the back office when requested or when triggered by a pre-configured alarm
· All recordings are combined and classified with GPS data and speed information
· Drivers can start the recordings manually
In addition, an optional driver-facing camera can be used to improve safety and driving performance through personalised coaching, based on video sequences analysing driving behaviour (speed, braking, acceleration, etc.).
“Astrata offers drivers a 360° vision system to reduce the risks for road users around the vehicle. By combining telematics data with video recording of the road, VideoLinc helps to reduce road transport accidents, as well as the time and money spent on resolving them,” Abdallah Harati, senior vice president, sales & marketing of Astrata, said. “The solution strengthens the legal protection of business and also helps to ensure cargo security.”