根据一个工会发布的信件以及美国邮政局（USPS）向404 Media发布的声明，美国邮政局正在开展一项试点项目：在邮政运输车辆上安装摄像头。这些摄像头会持续扫描道路和路标，绘制道路及人行道的地图，从而提升“社区安全”。信中提到，由于这些运输车辆本身就在不断行驶中，因此可以利用它们来收集数据，未来这一技术有望在全国范围内得到推广。
The United States Postal Service is running a pilot program to put cameras in its mail carrier trucks that continuously scan roads and signs, map roadways and sidewalks, and improve “community safety,” according to a letter posted by a labor union and a statement from the agency to 404 Media. The idea is that, since the trucks are constantly traveling anyway, they can be used as a way to collect data, eventually potentially across the nation.
NALC Branch 238在Facebook上发布的这封信中表示：“这项试点的目的是利用美国邮政局独特的优势——由于其邮政车辆在全国各个社区的街道上频繁行驶，因此能够收集到宝贵的数据。”
“The purpose of this pilot is to leverage the Postal Service’s unique ability to collect this valuable data due to the scale and frequency with which our fleet of postal vehicles travel the streets of every community across the country,” the letter, posted by NALC Branch 238 to Facebook, reads.
这封信由美国邮政局的劳动关系部门撰写，收件人是全国邮递员协会（National Association of Letter Carriers）的主席Brian Renfroe。信中提到，美国邮政局将与一家名为Next Base的行车记录仪（dashcam）公司合作开展这项试点项目。目前，这些摄像头将仅在华盛顿特区地区使用，并将被安装在100辆运输车辆上。
The letter, written by the United States Postal Service (USPS) Labor Relations to Brian Renfroe, the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, says the USPS will partner with Next Base, a dashcam company, for the pilot. At the moment, the cameras will be used in the Washington, DC area, and will be installed on a hundred vehicles, the letter says.
Next Base公司在其网站上销售多种行车记录仪，产品面向普通驾驶员、车队运营商以及共享出行服务司机。该公司称其摄像头支持4K高清录制，能够精确捕捉所有车辆的牌照信息。不过，这些摄像头并未配备自动车牌识别（ALPR）功能。
On its website, Next Base offers a variety of dash cams, marketed to ordinary drivers, fleet operators, and ride share drivers. Its website says Next Base’s cameras record in up to 4K, and can capture every “license plate” with precision. The cameras don’t run automatic license plate reader (ALPR) software, though.
信中进一步说明：“Next Base的摄像头将扫描并分析道路、路标以及人行道的状况。”这些摄像头将安装在车辆的前部，并在车辆启动并离开邮政设施后立即开始录制视频。信中还强调：“这些摄像头不会妨碍驾驶员的视线，也不会录制音频。”
The letter continues, “Next Base cameras will scan and analyze roads, signage, maps roadways [sic] and sidewalks.”It says the cameras will be forward-facing, installed inside the trucks, and will begin recording as soon as the vehicle is in drive and away from the postal facility. “The cameras will not hinder the vehicle operator’s field of vision, nor does it record audio,” it adds.
据信，这项试点项目将于9月21日正式启动，预计将持续数月时间。
The pilot was slated to start on September 21, and is expected to last several months, the letter says.
美国邮政服务局（USPS）的一位发言人在给 404 Media 的电子邮件中表示：“邮政服务局正在开展一项有限的试点项目，以评估车载摄像头是否能够帮助识别道路状况并提升社区安全。该试点项目包含了隐私保护措施，员工无需采取任何额外行动。试点结果将为未来的决策提供参考。”目前，美国邮政服务局的卡车已经配备了 360 度摄像头，这些摄像头可以持续记录车辆外部的情况。
A spokesperson for the USPS told 404 Media in an email “The Postal Service is conducting a limited pilot to assess whether vehicle-mounted cameras can help identify roadway conditions and support community safety. The pilot includes privacy safeguards and requires no additional action from employees. Findings will inform any future decisions.”USPS trucks already have 360 degree cameras that capture the outside of the vehicle for a period of time.