Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle and obtaining video of an accident or other criminal incident are described. An embodiment of the system includes one or more cameras mounted on a vehicle, a wireless transmitter, and a contact detection system comprising a processor in electrical communication with the one or more cameras, the wireless transmitter and one or more sensors configured to detect a potential contact event, wherein the processor is configured to receive an indication in response to one or more of the sensors detecting the potential contact event, activate at least one of the cameras to capture video data subsequent to receiving the indication of the potential contact event, determine whether or not the contact event occurs and discard the captured video data in response to determining that the contact event did not occur.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mass transit method including a docking terminal where passengers are loaded onto a craft with integral passenger pod. The craft lifts vertically from the docking terminal until it reaches an appropriate commuting altitude within 1,000 feet of the ground at which time the craft will fly to a second docking terminal and vertically descend to the second terminal for unloading of passengers. The commuting routes are networked to create an urban-suburban-rural mass transit system. The utility area of the craft can be detached and replaced. For instance, a passenger pod can be interchanged with a cargo, an emergency medical service (rescue) or a military unit pod for an innovative and versatile means of transportation.