Metrolink to Activate Video Cameras in Locomotive Fleet

LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct 05 (MARKET WIRE) --
Today, Metrolink Board Chairman Keith Millhouse announced the commuter
rail agency's plans to activate inward- and outward-facing video cameras
in all of its locomotives. Metrolink will become the first railroad
system in the nation -- passenger or freight -- to install inward-facing
cameras, once again demonstrating its ongoing commitment to passenger and
rail safety innovation.

The new Locomotive Digital Video Recorder (LDVR) System includes three
cameras per locomotive -- an outward-facing camera to record activity in
front of the train and two inward-facing cameras to record the control
panels and human activities inside the locomotive cab. The LDVR also
captures ambient audio transmissions associated with the visual images.
All cameras and audio devices in each of the system's 52 locomotives will
be activated this week, between October 7 and 12. LDVRs will also be
included in the 57 new Crash Energy Management-equipped lead passenger
cars that Metrolink will place into service in the coming year.

"The installation of video cameras inside the control cabs of our trains
will provide a significant deterrent to the type of dangerous and
inappropriate activity, including text messaging and unauthorized persons
in the cab, revealed during the National Transportation Safety Board's
hearing on last fall's collision," said Millhouse. "No other rail system
in America uses inward-facing cameras to protect its passengers and
employees. Use of this digital technology is another important step in our
multi-faceted program to reduce the risk of accidents or incidents along
our rail corridors and to provide an exceptional safety environment for
our passengers and crews."

"Inward-facing cameras will help to prevent accidents and ensure that the
highest level of safety is provided to the 43,000 commuters who depend on
Metrolink every day," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "I
applaud the Metrolink Board for their decisive action to implement this
crucial safety equipment quickly and efficiently."

Metrolink has adopted stringent procedures governing the authorized usage,
retrieval, preservation and disclosure of the LDVR recordings captured by
the video cameras and audio devices to ensure they are used only for the
purposes permitted in its policy and procedures, or as required by law.
The policy outlines the express purposes for capturing recordings on its
fleet, which are:

-- To promote and enhance safety and security for the general public, as
well as for Metrolink and contractor employees
-- For incident investigation purposes
-- Random testing for compliance with rules governing use of electronic
devices, sleeping and unauthorized persons in the cab
-- Where appropriate, to assist in Metrolink and contractor personnel
discipline
-- To examine and evaluate conditions on the right-of-way

"The installation of inward-facing video cameras was a key
recommendation of the independent Commuter Rail Safety Peer Review Panel
due to their ability to offer unique technological enhancements to our
existing efficiency testing program," said Millhouse. "The cameras
provide a superior way to monitor activities already under constant
observation and to document rules compliance and conditions on the
right-of-way."

While the application of inward-facing video technology is unprecedented
in the commuter rail industry, it is a fairly common practice in the
transit industry, particularly in buses. In Southern California, the
Orange County Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) have both used interior video cameras for many years as
a component of their onboard public safety programs.

Chicago-based Railhead Vision Systems, a division of Railhead Corporation,
is the contractor providing the outward- and inward-facing cameras and
audio recording system. Railhead has extensive experience providing
similar equipment to commuter and freight railroad agencies across the
county. Railhead Vision Systems' digital recording system is designed
specifically for use in heavy rail and mass transit applications.

Metrolink has previously taken the lead in rail safety advancements with
the purchase of the first-of-its-kind Crash Energy Management-equipped
commuter rail passenger cars and its industry-leading Sealed Corridor
Program. As part of its ongoing commitment to passenger safety, Metrolink
has added the "second set of eyes" program as an interim safety measure on
strategic routes; has installed Automatic Train Stop technology at 43
speed-sensitive locations; and is implementing an accelerated strategy to
install Positive Train Control equipment on all Metrolink trains by 2012,
three years before required by federal mandate for national
implementation, among other safety-focused initiatives.

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its
16th year of operations. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority,
a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the
transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. The agency currently
contracts with Connex Railroad, LLC for the personnel that operate,
supervise and manage Metrolink commuter rail service. Metrolink operates
over seven routes through a six-county 512 route-mile network, serving
more than 43,000 trips each weekday.

Contact:
Angela M. Starr
Metrolink Media Relations
Phone: (213) 452-0244
Email: Email Contact

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