Metra, Railhead Corp. Agree to $15.5MM Contract for Onboard Cameras

Written by Andrew Corselli
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Photo via Antonio Perez: Chicago Tribune

The Metra Board of Directors recently approved a $15.5 million contract for Railhead Corp. to install cameras inside the commuter railroad’s passenger cars.

The Burr Ridge, Ill.-based Railhead Corp. will be in charge of “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.”

Metra currently plans to install nine cameras per railcar. The cameras will be connected to onboard DVR systems that will record and store the video, Metra noted.

“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.”

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