Camera surveillance units
The Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations), introduced on 2 July 2019, provide new obligations for the use of cameras in taxis and charter vehicles. The Regulations refer to a taxi as an on-demand rank or hail vehicle. Similarly, a charter vehicle is referred to as an on-demand charter vehicle.
Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2020
DoT has approved the Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2020 (2020 Standards). This supersedes the standards previously released by DoT in 2017 and 2019.
| Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2020 | Kb |
|---|
CSU responsibilities for booking services
In line with the chain of accountability approach, the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018 places a greater responsibility on the on-demand booking service (ODBS) for ensuring that on-demand passenger transport vehicles meet mandated camera requirements. This includes:
- ensuring devices fitted, are of the required standard, and in working order;
- providing and operating systems capable of producing copies of recordings from camera systems;
- ensuring mandated signs are installed notifying passengers that they are being recorded;
- maintaining processes to ensure that recordings are not used for unauthorised purposes; and
- ensuring that recordings are properly disposed of.
Authorised uses of camera system recordings are outlined in the Regulations and include use of recordings by an authorised ODBS in some circumstances.
CSUs in on-demand rank or hail (taxi) PTVs
The Regulations have introduced some significant camera requirement changes for taxis. By 1 July 2021:
- all taxis in Western Australia must have a camera surveillance unit (CSU) that meets the requirements of the 2020 Standard installed;
- authorised ODBSs will be responsible for providing copies of recordings from CSUs when required; and
- authorised ODBSs can access CSU recordings for specific purposes.
Please note: To provide timely financial relief to the passenger transport industry related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeframe for regional and metropolitan taxi operators to install a CSU that is compliant with the 2020 standard has been extended to 1 July 2021 – previously the deadline was 2 July 2020. Visit COVID-19 relief for the passenger transport industry for more information.
CSUs in PTVs other than rank or hail (taxis)
Though CSUs are only mandated for taxis, the Regulations do apply some controls over the use of CSUs in other categories of PTV.
If a CSU is installed in a PTV other than a taxi:
- a clearly visible sign notifying passengers that they are being recorded must be placed inside the front of the vehicle;
- recordings can only be used for authorised purposes as defined in the regulations; and
- copies of recordings must be provided to Police or Authorised Officers (such as DoT Education and Compliance Officers) when required.
Industry is being provided with time to transition to these new rules as follows:
Transition timelines for new CSUs
| Date | Transition |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2021 |
|
|
2 July 2019 |
|
Suitable CSU devices
The following devices have been assessed and found to be capable of meeting the requirements of the 2020 Standards as specified in the below table.
Important: Though these devices may be capable of meeting the required standard, it is the responsibility of service providers to ensure that they are installed and maintained in a way that complies with the relevant standard.
| Device | Known suppliers | Contact details | Meets 2020 Standard | Meets 2019 Standard | Meets 2017 Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13cabsi | 13CABS | (03) 9277 3450 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DTI MDR5-L |
Nova Communications |
(08) 9445 1555 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oiiicam-1 | Oiiicam Pty Ltd | 0404 881 520 | Yes | Yes | |
| MCRX2, with OCX2 Wide Helius IR Camera | No current suppliers | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| PHSureCam V.1.0 | PHSURE | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Streamax G60DT X5-Lite | Discontinued product | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Streamax G60DT X5-Lite V2 |
Nova Communications |
(08) 9422 2270 (08) 9445 1555 1300 822 986 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TaxicamHD TXC4010TVI |
Black & White Cabs (WA) Pty Ltd Nova Communications |
(08) 9230 0440 (08) 9445 1555 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VT-300SE |
Demand Transport Services Nova Communications |
(08) 6507 4041 (08) 9445 1555 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SOLO-M04-SB-G | Swan Taxis | (08) 9422 2270 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MTI Sigtec MK4 | Note: Not compliant for new installations. Must be replaced before July 2021 or if not in working order. | No | No | Yes | |
| Crown Cabs MK1 | Crown Cabs |
(03) 9310 5422 |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
Superseded devices
The Verifeye VA-4600 and MTI Sigtec MK4 devices were previously compliant under the 2011 and 2017 Standards but have not been approved under the 2019 and 2020 Standards due to identified performance issues.
Rank or hail PTVs (taxis) that had a Verifeye VA-4600 or MTI Sigtec MK4 installed prior to 2 July 2019 can continue to use the device until 1 July 2021 so long as it is working properly. After this time, it must be replaced with a device approved under the 2020 Standard.
The Verifeye VA-4600 or MTI Sigtec MK4 devices are not suitable for use under the 2019 or 2020 Standards. These devices must not be installed in any new vehicles. This includes:
- transferring the device from one vehicle to another;
- installing the device into a new taxi; and
- installing the device into a vehicle that has previously been used as a taxi.
Verifeye VA-4600 or MTI Sigtec MK4 devices can only be used if they are in working order. Due to the age of these devices they may require preventative maintenance. Operators using these devices may be subject to fines if the devices are found not to be operating as required.
Important: Please note that in addition to approval of a system for use in rank or hail PTV (taxi), depending on the installation of the camera, suppliers or vehicle owners may also require a modification permit for the camera mounting. This will be determined by the AIS at the initial inspection.
The approved devices vary greatly in functions and options. It is the service provider’s responsibility to ensure that the chosen devices can meet their requirements.
Approved devices must be installed and maintained in a manner which complies with the current Camera Surveillance Unit Standards, as published on this webpage.
| Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2020 | Kb |
|---|---|
| Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2019 | Kb |
| Camera Surveillance Unit Standards 2017 | Kb |
How to submit your camera system for approval (manufacturers/suppliers)
Applications for the approval of new system types for use in the WA rank or hail (taxi) market are encouraged. Suppliers who would like to market their product for use in WA rank or hail PTVs (taxis) should first contact On-demand Transport.
Submissions must include:
- a sample device with all related equipment to enable testing;
- instructional materials for the driver and the download operator;
- Iistallation components and instructions;
- any items of equipment and software required to access recordings on the test device;
- details of any approvals in other Australian states or territories; and
- day/night testing footage recorded on camera's memory for testing and download.
You may be asked to provide access to a test device installed in a vehicle for testing also.
Submissions received will go through an assessment process which may include:
- running the system over the minimum 288 hours recording duration;
- accessing and copying recordings on the system;
- testing the system against current fluctuations; and
- assessment of image quality in both day and night time conditions, using the test chart available on the last page of the ANZPAA Recommendations for CCTV Systems.
Systems that meet some but not all of the required standards may be considered for approval in some circumstances. Devices approved in other Australian states that do not meet all of the requirements of the 2019 standards may also be approved.
Important: Please note that in addition to assessment of a system for use in rank or hail PTVs (taxis), suppliers may also need to seek a modification permit to install the systems under Road Traffic legislation. Details on how to determine if a vehicle modification permit is needed can be found on the Vehicle accessories and fittings page
| ANZPAA: Resolution test chart for use with ISO Standard 12233 | |
|---|---|
