---
title: "Camera systems for waste collection trucks"
url: "https://dashcamforcars.com/solution/waste/"
---

# Camera systems for waste collection trucks

A refuse truck needs four camera views: the road, the cab, the kerb side and the rear hopper. A compact 4-channel MDVR such as the WD12 records all four in 1080p to two SD cards, with a BSD camera for the kerb-side blind spot and a driver-monitoring camera for fatigue and distraction.

- Camera views: 4
- Recorder: WD12 MDVR
- Storage: Dual SD, up to 512 GB

## What goes wrong

- **Stop-start work beside people.** A collection round is stop-start work beside pedestrians and cyclists. A kerb-side camera covers the zone the driver cannot see in the mirrors.
- **Crew at the rear.** Loaders work behind the vehicle, out of the driver's direct view. A camera over the hopper shows and records the rear working area.
- **Damage and service claims.** Video with time and GPS position shows whether a street was served and what the truck did or did not touch.

## Recommended camera layout

A compact 4-channel MDVR covers the cab, the kerb side and the rear hopper, with blind-spot and driver-monitoring cameras.

| Position | Equipment | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen, facing the road | [ADAS Camera](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/adas-camera/) | The road ahead, with forward-collision and lane-departure warnings |
| Cab, facing the driver | [AHD005 DSM Camera](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/adh005-dsm-camera/) | Fatigue and distraction |
| Kerb side of the body | [BSD Camera](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/bsd-camera/) | Pedestrians and cyclists alongside the truck |
| Rear, over the hopper | Exterior AHD camera | The loaders' working area and reversing |
| Dashboard, optional | In-cab monitor on the WD12's CVBS output | A live rear or side view for the driver |

What this setup gives you: Kerb-side blind-spot alerts; Rear hopper recording; Idle and over-speed alerts.

## Products in this setup

- [WD12](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/wd12-mini-dual-sd-card-mobile-dvr/): 4-channel recorder
- [ADAS camera](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/adas-camera/): Forward collision and lane departure
- [BSD camera](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/bsd-camera/): Kerb-side blind spot
- [AHD005](https://dashcamforcars.com/product/adh005-dsm-camera/): Driver monitoring

## Storage and mobile data

Recording 1080p + 1080p + 1080p + 1080p at standard quality on 512 GB of SD storage, the most the WD12 takes keeps roughly 66 hours of recording with H.264, or about 132 hours in H.265, which the WD12 supports. Recording uses no mobile data. Tracking uses about 17 MB a month; live view on the sub-stream uses about 40 to 60 MB per camera per hour.

## Before you order

- The WD12 measures 120 × 120 × 46 mm, so it fits cabs where a full-size recorder will not.
- It runs on 9–36 V, with reverse-polarity and short-circuit protection, and draws under 12 W without cameras.
- BSD is an option on the WD12. Tell us you need it when you request a quote.
- JT/T 808, JT/T 1078 and GB/T 28181 support lets the WD12 report to a platform you already use, as well as to Traqcare.

## FAQ

### How many cameras does a refuse truck need?

A refuse truck needs four cameras: the road, the cab, the kerb side and the rear hopper. A truck that loads from both sides needs a fifth, which means a WD10 recorder in place of the four-input WD12.

### Can the driver see the rear camera while reversing?

Yes. The WD12 has a CVBS video output that drives an in-cab monitor, so the driver can watch the rear or side camera.

### Can the system connect to our existing fleet platform?

If the platform uses JT/T 808 with JT/T 1078, or GB/T 28181, the WD12 can report to it. It also works with the Traqcare app and web platform.

### How long is footage kept on the truck?

Four cameras recording 1080p use about 7.2 GB an hour, so 512 GB of SD storage holds roughly 66 hours before the oldest footage is overwritten. H.265 doubles that, and 720p on the side and rear cameras adds about 14% more.