Metra has awarded a contract to US-based Railhead to replace the camera system on its trains with an upgraded solution.

The $11m contract will see Railhead install new inward-facing cameras on-board Metra locomotives, cabcars and Highliner cars in place of the existing camera system in order to record the actions of engineers.

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Metra executive director and CEO Don Orseno said: “At Metra, safety is our highest priority, and we are pleased to be moving forward with this safety feature before the requirement takes effect.

“These cameras will give us another tool to ensure we are operating as safely as possible.”

US Congress directed the Department of Transportation to draft rules to require passenger railroads to install cameras in all locomotives and other operating compartments within two years in 2015.

Federal Railroad Administration is expected to issue a directive regarding the initiative by the end of the year.

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"At Metra, safety is our highest priority, and we are pleased to be moving forward with this safety feature before the requirement takes effect."

The new surveillance system will include recorders, forward-facing cameras, rear-facing cameras, microphones, storage memory and crash-hardened memory.

Inward-facing cameras are also set to be installed in Metra’s fleet of 150 locomotives, 187 cabcars and the 186 self-propelled Highliner cars.

The cameras will be used to ensure that the train personnel are following safety laws, operating rules and procedures that have been issued via federal legislation.

The upgraded camera system will also help with investigating accidents and incidents, as well as identify criminal activities or unauthorised people on-board the locomotives.

Metra's board of directors have also approved three contracts worth a combined $48.2m to renovate multiple bridges along the Union Pacific North Line and to build the new inbound half of Ravenswood Station.

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