Board approves onboard camera purchase

The Metra Board of Directors today approved a $15.5 million contract to purchase and install cameras inside the commuter railroad’s passenger cars.

The contract was awarded to Railhead Corporation of Burr Ridge, Illinois, and includes the design, implementation and installation of a surveillance camera system capable of capturing video of all passenger seating areas and vestibules on a minimum of 400 railcars and a maximum of 700 railcars. Railhead was chosen for the project through a competitive bidding process.

“This project is not a response to any specific incident but is just another way we can use technology to augment onboard security,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “We’re always looking for ways to improve safety and security for our customers and employees.”

Metra currently plans to install nine cameras per railcar. The camera network will be similar to the system used on CTA trains and buses. The cameras will be connected to onboard DVR systems that will record and store the video. If there were an incident onboard a Metra train, the video could then be retrieved.