Mobile NVRs: Not Just for Public Transit

When you hear the words “mobile NVR,” the first thing you probably think about is a video recorder for a bus or light rail train.

And for good reason. Most mobile NVRs purchased today are used in mass transit applications to enhance passenger safety and reduce liability claims. The units are ideal for transportation environments because they are purpose-built to withstand sudden bumps and stops. They are also designed with a higher degree of ingress protection (IP) to protect the recorder from dust and moisture, compared to other commercial products.

But it’s these qualities that make a mobile recorder useful in a variety of applications outside of transportation, too; the units are ideal for many commercial and industrial environments, or anywhere that might expose the recorder to shock and vibration, power outages and extreme hot or cold weather.

If you need video surveillance coverage at a remote outdoor location, or in an environment where the recorder could be subjected to harsh conditions, you should consider using a mobile NVR.

Here are some of the more creative ways we’ve seen organizations use our mobile recorders.

Mobile ATMs – Several banks deploy our RideSafe units inside mobile ATMs – vehicles that are outfitted with bank machines. Mobile ATMs are growing in popularity because they’re a cost-effective way for banks to serve customers, especially in rural communities where there is no physical bank branch. Instead of opening an entirely new location, banks can use a mobile ATM instead, and ensure proper security with an NVR installed inside the vehicle.

Tow trucks – One large municipality in Latin America installed our mobile recorders on government-owned tow trucks used for parking enforcement. The recorders were integrated with the claw on the tow trucks’ lifting arm so when the lifting device is engaged, video is downloaded through a cellular network to a central monitoring station. There, the video is monitored to ensure that tow truck drivers collect the fines and follow procedure correctly. Not surprisingly, the system has helped substantially increase revenues from parking fines for this city.

Drilling and mining operations – Drilling and mining companies use our mobile NVRs for perimeter protection and surveillance of expensive outdoor equipment. The recorders are great for this type of environment because they can withstand the intense shock and vibration associated with drilling and mining operations.  In one particular case, mobile cameras and an NVR were installed inside a pick-up truck, which was then parked onsite, keeping watch over the operation.

Traffic monitoring operations – One major U.S city’s Department of Transportation uses our mobile NVRs at intersections to monitor signal light changes and keep vehicular traffic flowing smoothly. The department chose mobile recorders because the units had to be stored outside, in controller cabinets, and therefore had to withstand very cold temperatures. (March Networks’ RideSafe recorders can operate in temperatures as low as – 13° F (-25° C), making them ideal for this type of application).

Marine transportation – Tug boats, barges and commercial ferry operators use our mobile NVRs to record video at their ports and on their marine vessels.  Again, the units are ideal in these environments because they can withstand constant motion, and won’t be impacted by moisture or temperature fluctuations.

These are just a few of the ways organizations are using mobile NVRs to capture the clear video they need. A ruggedized recorder is also a great option for surveillance on garbage trucks, armored vehicles, cargo trucks and other mobile operations. A mobile recorder that can accommodate solid state drives (SSD), rather traditional rotating hard disk drives (HDDs), are best suited to these applications. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they require less power, generate less heat, have a higher MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and are therefore more dependable.

Remember to pair your mobile recorder with a durable mobile IP camera for the greatest reliability. Like mobile NVRs, mobile security cameras are designed to withstand jarring movements and protect your video against moisture and wide temperature swings. They also typically come with vandal-resistant housings, making them extra resilient.

Are you thinking about using a mobile NVR and need some advice? Leave your questions or comments below: