Transdev North America has installed its SmartDrive Rail video safety system across the Cincinnati Bell Connector tram network, managed by Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, US.  

Cincinnati Bell Connector's tram fleet currently operates on a 3.6-mile loop and also shares the road with other vehicles.

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Developed by SmartDrive Systems, the newly installed solution has been designed to improve safety for passengers and vehicles.

SmartDrive Systems said that it has expanded its safety offerings portfolio to add the patented SmartDrive Rail programme.

"After a week of deployment on the Cincinnati Bell Connector, we clearly saw the benefit of video safety for rail."

Since 2011, more than 7,000 vehicles operated by various US agencies have been using SmartDrive's solution.

Transdev rail president Ken Westbrook said: "Within a week of deployment on the Cincinnati Bell Connector, we clearly saw the benefit of video safety for rail."

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According to SmartDrive Systems, its SmartDrive Rail solution enables operators to capture collisions, as well as recognise operating risks and compliance issues.

If an incident occurs, the system sends the event video and notifies management within minutes, helping responses to be quicker.

SmartDrive Rail also provides a complete managed service, as well as validates and reduces risks.

Westbrook added: "Protecting operators, pedestrians and motorists has always been at the top of our priority list.

"Within the first few weeks of deployment, SmartDrive has already provided immediate value, delivering better insight to the risks our operators face and supporting several incident investigations."

In June, SmartDrive secured a patent for its new rail triggering technology and has three other patents pending for its SmartDrive Rail solution, which launched last year.

SmartDrive Rail solution is also deployed at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in the US.

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