Australian road camera technology developer Acusensu has partnered with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to employ members in its infringement assessment department. Acusensus Heads-Up technology uses AI camera software to simultaneously detect for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, seatbelt compliance, incorrect lane use and unregistered vehicles.
It operates the NSW mobile phone detection program, and Queensland’s world-first seatbelt and mobile phone compliance program. In July it launched WA’s world-first speeding, mobile phone and seatbelt detection program. Suspected infringement images captured by cameras are sent to Acusensus’s assessment department for final human review.
In NSW and QLD, Acusensus image review teams comprise people hired through SCIA. In addition to employing SCIA members, it also partners with NSW Legacy to employ ex-police officers diagnosed with PTSD, helping them to remain employed in a law-enforcement related role. Approximately 16 per cent of Acusensus staff have a disability.
Acusensus founder Alex Jannink is a road safety advocate who started the business after a friend was killed by a driver using their phone. He is committed to preventing road trauma and providing trauma victims with career opportunities.
“We know how many people have been impacted by dangerous and illegal driver behaviour, which is why Acusensus has partnered with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to provide employment opportunities to individuals living with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities,” Jannink said
“Our partnership with SCIA’s recruitment service has given us outstanding team members who have excelled in their roles. Through their life experiences they have strengthened the diversity of our workforce and our competitive advantage,” he said.
Jessica Gao works as road safety assessor at the NSW infringement assessment team. She was left a paraplegic after falling from a balcony in 2014. After two months in hospital and a six-month stay in a rehabilitation centre, Jessica can walk short distances with a walker when not using a wheelchair.
The team scrutinising images relayed by AI-enabled traffic cameras of drivers suspected of illegally using their mobile phones. The program, which commenced in 2019, has captured millions of images and coincided with a 22 per cent drop in fatalities, based on previous trends.
“I know some people say it’s just about fining people for revenue, but it is really about the risk distracted drivers pose to other people on the road, as well as their own family members in the car,” she said.
While the mobile phone infringement rate has declined from 1 in 82 drivers at the start of the program to 1 in 478 currently, Jessica said she is still shocked by the number of drivers engaging in risk-taking behaviour.