Notice anything new on TRAX? All of UTA’s TRAX cars are now outfitted with high definition cameras. The cameras record footage inside the car, film the pantograph (the piece of equipment that connects the train to the overhead wires) and provide the operator with a live view of anything happening behind the train.

The cameras serve multiple purposes, said UTA Light Rail General Manager Jeff LaMora. They act as a crime deterrent and help the UTA transit police department investigate on-train incidents. The exterior cameras serve as a “rear-view mirror” for operators, while the pantograph cameras help UTA employees to determine the cause of any mechanical problems. Footage gathered by the camera system is also used for training.

The cameras are part of UTA’s plan to overhaul and modernize TRAX cars, many of which are almost two decades old.

“This is a big help and a big improvement to our systems and our fleet,” LaMora said.

The HD cameras replace an older camera system installed on UTA’s Siemens S70 (high floor) TRAX cars. The new cameras are connected to a WiFi system, allowing UTA employees to pull footage quickly rather than manually retrieve it - a process that was time consuming and often required several days, said UTA Vehicle Overhaul Manager Kyle Stockley. The older Siemens SD100 and SD160 (high floor) TRAX cars did not have a camera system prior to the installation of the HD cameras earlier this year.

Stockley said his department is currently working to create a mobile command center that will allow police departments to connect to the WiFi system and see live footage from inside the train during an emergency.

The camera installation project was completed entirely by UTA employees. After receiving bids from outside vendors, security and maintenance personnel determined that UTA staff could save the agency millions, complete the project faster and provide a higher quality end product by installing the system themselves. Stockley estimates that UTA saved 3.5 million by doing the work in-house.