Beyond Video: How Audio Capture Transforms Site Documentation and Evidence Collection
In the world of traffic management and construction, showing compliance isn't just about what you can see—it's about capturing the complete story. We're excited to announce a game-changing addition to SiteStory: audio capture functionality that transforms how traffic controllers and site supervisors document their work.
The Power of Complete Documentation
Traditional site documentation has long relied on static checklists and photographs. While SiteStory revolutionised this approach with video evidence, we recognised that our users needed even richer context. Video shows what happened, but audio captures why decisions were made, how safety protocols were communicated, and the real-time discussions that drive compliance.
Introducing Audio Capture: Your Voice in the Story
Our new audio capture feature seamlessly integrates into the SiteStory mobile app, allowing you to record synchronised audio alongside your video stories. This isn't just an add-on—it's a fundamental enhancement that makes your evidence more comprehensive, defensible, and valuable.
How It Works
Audio recording is designed with simplicity in mind:
Default setting: Audio is off by default, giving you complete control
Easy activation: Tap the microphone button in the bottom right of the recording screen
One-time setup: Grant microphone access on first use, then you're ready to go
Integrated storage: Audio syncs perfectly with your video and is stored with the same 7-year retention policy
Game-Changing Use Cases
1. Pre-Start Meetings That Matter
Transform your pre-start meetings from checkbox exercises into comprehensive records. Capture the entire discussion about site conditions, safety concerns, and work plans. When disputes arise months later, you'll have the exact conversation that led to key decisions.
Why it matters: Pre-start meetings often contain crucial safety discussions and risk assessments that traditional checklists can't capture. Audio evidence provides irrefutable proof of proper safety protocols being communicated and understood.
2. Intelligent Site Drive-Throughs
Turn routine site inspections into rich, narrated documentation. As you drive through your work zone, provide real-time commentary about traffic conditions, potential hazards, setup quality, or changing circumstances.
Why it matters: Site conditions change throughout the day. Audio commentary creates a time-stamped record of your professional observations, showing proactive hazard identification and management.
3. Comprehensive Site Audits
Elevate your audits beyond visual inspection. Audio-tag your findings in real-time, explaining non-compliance issues, noting corrective actions, or highlighting exemplary work—all while the video captures the visual evidence.
Why it matters: Audit findings often require explanation of why something is non-compliant. Audio provides the professional judgment and reasoning behind your assessments, making your reports more credible and actionable.
4. Enhanced Site Inspections for TMP Design
Support Traffic Management Plan development with detailed audio observations. Describe traffic patterns, identify potential conflict points, note pedestrian behavior, or explain site-specific challenges that impact design decisions.
Why it matters: TMP design relies heavily on understanding site-specific conditions that aren't always visible in static plans. Audio commentary provides designers with the field intelligence they need for better, safer designs.
The Business Impact
Stronger Compliance Documentation
Audio capture doesn't just improve your records—it transforms them into compelling evidence. When facing regulatory reviews or dispute resolution, having the actual conversation or professional commentary provides context that written reports simply cannot match.
Reduced Dispute Resolution Time
Clear audio evidence eliminates the "he said, she said" scenarios that can drag out disputes for months. Your stories now contain the actual voices and decisions that led to specific actions, making resolution faster and more definitive.
Enhanced Client Value
Demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail by providing clients with comprehensive documentation that goes beyond basic compliance. Show them you're capturing the complete picture, not just checking boxes.
Improved Team Communication
Audio-enabled stories become powerful training tools. New team members can hear how experienced supervisors communicate safety requirements, conduct briefings, or handle challenging situations.
Technical Excellence, User-Focused Design
Like every SiteStory feature, audio capture is built with your workflow in mind:
No performance impact: Audio recording doesn't affect video quality or app performance
Automatic synchronisation: Audio and video are perfectly aligned for seamless playback
GPS integration: Audio commentary is linked to exact locations, just like your video
Secure storage: Audio is encrypted and stored with the same enterprise-grade security as your video content
Integration ready: Audio-enabled stories are available in your job management system alongside all other SiteStory content
Looking Forward: The Future of Site Documentation
Audio capture represents more than just a new feature; it's part of our vision for complete site documentation. As the industry moves toward more sophisticated compliance requirements and clients demand higher levels of transparency, having tools that capture the full context of your work becomes increasingly valuable.
We built SiteStory because we believed that showing you did something was more powerful than just saying you did it. Now, with audio capture, you can show, say, and prove all at once.
Ready to Enhance Your Stories?
The audio capture feature is now available in the SiteStory mobile app. Simply update your app and look for the microphone button during your next story recording. As always, we'd love to hear how you're using this new capability to improve your operations.
