M1 roadworks SPECS

[zumbruk]

There are three or four SPECS cameras in the M1 J10 roadworks (the widening round St.Albans with the 40mph limit.)

I was hugely entertained to watch people braking for the cameras, then accelerating away. WRONG!!!

[GreenV8S]

Yes it is quite amusing isn't it! Presumably the big signs that say 'average speed check' in front of the cameras aren't quite obvious enough?

[turbobloke]

Sad but true - BiB were surprised to find a car sat up on one of their motorway observation points, and (naturally) enquired as to why the driver decided to pitch camp there. The reply was that his car was nearly out of gas and the sign said he'd get petrol there.

Patrol Vehicles Only.

Average speed cameras - no better or worse than any other GATSO?

[grif500]

turbobloke said:

Average speed cameras - no better or worse than any other GATSO?

Have to say I think they're better than gatso's, in roadworks anyway. I don't think it's particularly fair on the work force to have cars thundering past at 70mph or more....From what I've seen of the specs on hte M6/11/1, it also seems to improve the traffic flow, as everyone is going at a steady speed and not slamming on the brakes for every camera (apart from the odd numpty!)

Does anyone know what the situation is after the roadworks are finished? Will they be taken down or left there? All of the sites I've seen appear to be permanent.....

[GreenV8S]

I don't think anything in that part of the M1 can be considered permanent - they seem to be in the process of moving bridges, embankments, the whole lot. I thought the specs cameras were sitting on concrete bases, but maybe that was only the surveilance cameras I'm thinking of.

Anyone found out what the threshold is for the specs? Most people seem to be cruising at an indicated 40-45 or so, with a few chancing their luck at 50 ish.

[turbobloke]

grif500 said:

turbobloke said: Average speed cameras - no better or worse than any other GATSO? Have to say I think they're better than gatso's, in roadworks anyway. I don't think it's particularly fair on the work force to have cars thundering past at 70mph or more....From what I've seen of the specs on hte M6/11/1, it also seems to improve the traffic flow, as everyone is going at a steady speed and not slamming on the brakes for every camera (apart from the odd numpty!) Does anyone know what the situation is after the roadworks are finished? Will they be taken down or left there? All of the sites I've seen appear to be permanent.....

Hi grif500. I suspect you took my comment the wrong way...after 'Patrol Cars' being read as 'petrol cars' the thought occurred to me that yer less literate driver might think 'average speed check' meant that it was no better or worse than any other speed check...it seemed a bit funnier when it was typed the first time

As far as the cameras in roadworks issue goes, the Transport Research Labs carried out their own study covering 2 to 3 years iirc on the effect of cameras in motorway roadworks and found that they did not improve the personal injury accident rate for site workers, there was no difference between site with cameras and those without. The presence of cameras did have a detrimental effect on crashes involving drivers but not the workforce, so overall they are unhelpful in spite of seeming to be justified.

The Order for a temporary limit should expire when the roadworks are completed, but that doesn't seem to stop scamerati from pinging away.

[grif500]

turbobloke said:

Hi grif500. I suspect you took my comment the wrong way...

Yup, seems that way, sorry....

turbobloke said:

As far as the cameras in roadworks issue goes, the Transport Research Labs carried out their own study covering 2 to 3 years iirc on the effect of cameras in motorway roadworks and found that they did not improve the personal injury accident rate for site workers, there was no difference between site with cameras and those without. The presence of cameras did have a detrimental effect on crashes involving drivers but not the workforce, so overall they are unhelpful in spite of seeming to be justified.

Does this take into account the different types of cameras though? I agree that normal speed cameras wouldn't have that much effect as most drivers will only slow down for the camera. But from my experience of the specs, drivers seem to pay more attention to the speed limit, which must surely reduce accident risks?

turbobloke said:

The Order for a temporary limit should expire when the roadworks are completed, but that doesn't seem to stop scamerati from pinging away.

But what if they leave the cameras there after the roadworks have finished, for the standard 70 limit? I hate to even think of this, but it does seem very easy for them to install specs all over the motorway network, as they do in a lot of european countries i believe?

[smeggy]

grif500 said:

But from my experience of the specs, drivers seem to pay more attention to the speed limit, which must surely reduce accident risks?

Not if the driver's eyes are glued to the speedo throughout the enforcement zone.

[rsvmilly]

I usually get on Northbound at J10 and there is only one camera after that. Presumably I'm safe?

[turbobloke]

grif500 said:

Does this (research on cams in roadworks) take into account the different types of cameras though?

I don't have a copy to hand right now, unfortunately.

grif500 said:

But what if they leave the cameras there after the roadworks have finished, for the standard 70 limit? I hate to even think of this, but it does seem very easy for them to install specs all over the motorway network, as they do in a lot of european countries i believe?

Must be tempting. There are examples of cameras put in while roadworks are completed to improve road layout or a junction, then left in 'to stop the crashes reappearing' even though the diagnosis was bad layout

These sites are usually lucrative so there's a business plan incentive to keep them live.

[grif500]

smeggy said:

grif500 said: But from my experience of the specs, drivers seem to pay more attention to the speed limit, which must surely reduce accident risks? Not if the driver's eyes are glued to the speedo throughout the enforcement zone.

I go through specs everyweek, and as of next week will be a daily basis around the M25. I stick to 40, and do so without constantly staring at my speedo, but I take your point. Everything has to have a certain amount of leeway, which as someone mentioned I think is built into these cameras as well as Gatso's. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way in favour of cameras of any sort, just curious as to why they've suddenly started using them, and whether there is a plan to roll them out across the network

rsvmilly said:

I usually get on Northbound at J10 and there is only one camera after that. Presumably I'm safe?

Next time you're joining have a quick look on the slip road. I say this because on the M25 installation the specs cover both on and off sliproads around the A10....

[rsvmilly]

grif500 said:

rsvmilly said: I usually get on Northbound at J10 and there is only one camera after that. Presumably I'm safe? Next time you're joining have a quick look on the slip road. I say this because on the M25 installation the specs cover both on and off sliproads around the A10....

I'll have alook this evening (although I'm immune to them ATM due to being on two wheels)

[supermono]

[/quote]I'll have alook this evening (although I'm immune to them ATM due to being on two wheels)[/quote]
The ones on the M11 are facing both ways, so I wouldn't bank on it.
SM

[rsvmilly]

supermono said:

The ones on the M11 are facing both ways, so I wouldn't bank on it. SM

The ones on the M1 seem to be front-facing only

[loudv8]

I drove through this section twice last Friday and many drivers were braking at each camera so it would seem that drivers having reading/comprehension difficulties is not uncommon.