FMCSA to allow carriers to swap Convoy cameras for rear-vision mirrors

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) okayed a request from a technology company to allow carriers to use their camera systems as an alternative to standard rear-vision mirrors.

In a Notice to be published in the Federal Register on July 24, the FMCSA granted an exemption request from Convoy Technologies, Inc. that will allow carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles with the company’s Electronic Rear View System (ERVS) camera monitor system (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by federal regulations.

The exemption is good for five years.

The ERVS CMS consists of six cameras — two camera assemblies each with two high-definition cameras mounted high on each side of the CMV exterior, along with the option to add one additional rear-view camera per assembly.

According to Convoy, the camera system increases field of vision for the driver by 25% and reduces blind spots created by standard mirrors. The company touts the weather resilient design and fail-safes included in the system design to prevent camera malfunctions.

The FMCSA ultimately ruled that “the ERVS CMS is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety achieved by the regulation.”

Earlier this year, the FMCSA approved a similar exemption request from Stoneridge, Inc. for their  MirrorEye^® Camera Monitor System.