Portland Oregon Camera Selection Report
City of Portland Concludes Comprehensive In-Vehicle Camera Comparison Tests
November 16, 2004 - VerifEye Technologies
Abstract: Over one year ago, the City of Portland Bureau of Licenses mandated that all of the city’s cabs be fitted with camera security systems. After a comprehensive investigation of all available camera systems on the market yielded disappointing results, they concluded that none had satisfactory image quality under night conditions. Taking the criticisms seriously, VerifEye responded by investigating the problem and implementing engineering improvements in the latest generation TaxiCam. The City of Portland now has a system that meets their expectations. All vendors (Honeywell, DDS, Raywood, and VerifEye) were asked to respond to an initial report by modifying their products for enhanced image quality. VerifEye, who submitted two versions of their product, markedly outperformed all other competitors in both image quality and in ease of use. Furthermore, TaxiCam was the only system to exceed the required performance threshold.
[Download Article] [Camera Requirements Matrix]
Report from the Camera Selection Committee
October 29, 2004 - Thomas Lannom, City of Portland, Bureau of Licenses
Abstract: The Camera Selection Committee met to review the images produced by a second and final round of tests and current pricing, and to select a single digital camera system to be installed in all Portland cabs. After complete evaluation of the comparative information, the VerifEye DL system was voted as the only one eligible for the City security camera grants.
[Download Article] [The Camera Selection Committee Vote Results]
Re-test for Image Quality, Cameras in Cabs
October 20, 2004 - Thomas Lannom, City of Portland, Bureau of Licenses
Abstract: The City of Portland passed an ordinance that required all its cabs to be fitted with digital security cameras. Identical tests were ran on the available camera systems (DDS, VerifEye, Silent Witness, and Raywood), but the committee was disappointed with the output of all of them. Three of the four manufacturers modified their systems to enhance image quality. Raywood provided two additional infra-red light sources, although testers were unable to obtain any images from their tests. Silent Witness modified their infra-red source to improve illumination, although download times were unacceptably long. VerifEye images showed markedly improved quality in both the SL and DL systems, although the SL system might require very exact aiming. Acceptable image quality for cameras in taxis is not a complete solution to providing driver safety, although the properly-signed use of them is certainly a deterrent. Cameras are not a substitute for proper training but can be a part of the plan to improve driver safety.