To maintain optimal viewing behind commercial vehicles, operators need a video safety system that functions well in low light conditions and offers a wide field of view. Clearly seeing both night and day is a matter of life and death especially for operators of refuse collection, emergency, construction and mining vehicles. With lighting being a critical factor in video monitoring, LEDs on rear-view cameras raise a concern about systems used on commercial vehicles that are not designed for this purpose.
There are many rear-view camera systems on the market that feature LEDs. Most of these models are based on fixed-site camera surveillance systems originally designed for baby nurseries and parking lots. They have been simply “repackaged” for use on commercial vehicles.
Operations involving commercial vehicles are anything but static. Unfortunately, the illumination produced by LEDs installed on rear-view camera systems covers only a short distance behind the vehicle. LEDs inhibit operators from clearly viewing detailed images on their monitors at an ideal range field of view, 125 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical. LEDs also have a tendency to produce a bright spot effect in the center of the image on the monitor. The contrast between bright center and surrounding dark area makes it harder for operators to see.
Companies address these problems by narrowing the rear-view camera’s field of view, which significantly compromises safety when operators cannot observe half of what they need to see when backing up. Click here to learn more about LEDs used on rear-view camera systems.
Drivers need a wide field of view to see clearly behind their vehicles
Rear-view camera systems work effectively in commercial vehicle applications when they are designed and manufactured to meet these rigorous work environments. From dense forests and tunnels to business districts and residential neighborhoods, the rear-view camera system must be the “eagle” eyes of the operator both day and night to ensure the highest standards of safety.
At night, in a worst case scenario, the vehicle’s working backup lamps should provide enough illumination needed for a rear-view camera system to give the operator a clear view of activity behind the vehicle. The camera system should have the light sensitivity to operate in low light conditions, and at the same time, offer the operator a wide field of view. When properly mounted, the camera system should enable the operator to see both day and night everything from the bumper to about 15 meters away from the vehicle, and one meter out from each end of the bumper.
What INTEC Offers
Instead of using LEDS, INTEC relies on high-quality components in its rear-view camera systems. Our systems are designed for one purpose only—to enhance safety for commercial vehicle applications. Strong video images covering a wide field of view are generated during the day and at night with the illumination from a working pair of backup lamps. INTEC systems cover the widest view in the industry (125 degrees horizontal by 100 degrees vertical). Again, when properly mounted, the operator can clearly observe the scene behind the vehicle. No compromise.
The question is why would fleet managers want their vehicles equipped with anything other than a camera system specifically designed for commercial field applications?
To learn more about the performance of INTEC rear-view camera systems, please contact one of our product specialists at (800) 468-3254. We would be pleased to answer your questions and help you achieve the highest standards of safety, quality and performance for your commercial vehicle fleet.
Contributed by Dino Nama, Vice President at INTEC Video Systems, Inc.