Where have all the M42 cameras gone?
Discussion
Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that almost all the gantry-mounted speed cameras on the "Smart" section of the M42 have been removed, most notably between junctions 4 and 7
I originally assumed they were being replaced by something better / clearer / less tolerant, but the gantries are still empty. I reckon over 100 cameras have been removed.
There are a handful of the new HADECS 3 cameras, but these are considerably less numerous that the old gantry-mounted units.
Does anyone know if this is a permanent removal?
NOTE - a couple of the gantries still have a lone camera present, and there are still gantry cameras anywhere north of junction 7, so don't sail though the entire M42 only looking for HADECS 3
Its already interesting to see that traffic isn't slowing down for the gantries with no cameras, but several people are not twigging the HADECS units - I imagine that ticket numbers have risen....
I originally assumed they were being replaced by something better / clearer / less tolerant, but the gantries are still empty. I reckon over 100 cameras have been removed.
There are a handful of the new HADECS 3 cameras, but these are considerably less numerous that the old gantry-mounted units.
Does anyone know if this is a permanent removal?
NOTE - a couple of the gantries still have a lone camera present, and there are still gantry cameras anywhere north of junction 7, so don't sail though the entire M42 only looking for HADECS 3
Its already interesting to see that traffic isn't slowing down for the gantries with no cameras, but several people are not twigging the HADECS units - I imagine that ticket numbers have risen....
Alex_6n2 said:
HADECS 3 can measure speed over a considerably longer distance than the gantry mounted HADECS 2 equipment can't it?
No it can't. Money is tight so there won't be as many gantries fitted with HADECS3, but each one covers all lanes.
The previous HADECS cameras weren't installed over every lane anyway. The housings were above each lane but the internals were moved around and usually only one lane would have a live camera above it and not all gantries would have a camera, so the total coverage is probably slightly more than before.
I was travelling this way yesterday, right up from Warwickshire past Birmingham, and used the M42 for the first time in a few months. I too, noticed that nearly all, (N E A R L Y - there are a couple of old grey box HADECS 2 on the gantries at random points, probably the few statistically most profitable), had gone. I started to feel a bit twitchy, wondering where I was being speed-checked from... Even asked the girlfriend to start googling it while I was driving.
I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph

I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph


Wilbert350 said:
I was travelling this way yesterday, right up from Warwickshire past Birmingham, and used the M42 for the first time in a few months. I too, noticed that nearly all, (N E A R L Y - there are a couple of old grey box HADECS 2 on the gantries at random points, probably the few statistically most profitable), had gone. I started to feel a bit twitchy, wondering where I was being speed-checked from... Even asked the girlfriend to start googling it while I was driving.
I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph

The HADECS 3's are easy to see and painted yellow. You may need to visit an optician!I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph


Wilbert350 said:
I was travelling this way yesterday, right up from Warwickshire past Birmingham, and used the M42 for the first time in a few months. I too, noticed that nearly all, (N E A R L Y - there are a couple of old grey box HADECS 2 on the gantries at random points, probably the few statistically most profitable), had gone. I started to feel a bit twitchy, wondering where I was being speed-checked from... Even asked the girlfriend to start googling it while I was driving.
I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph

58 on cruise control when thenlimit is 60. Why?I kept on the cruise control at 58mph anyway, as they were set to 60 on the gantries.
I didn't spot one single HADECS 3. Don't even remember them being there. Couldn't tell you if they are grey or yellow.
I did notice small cameras, not even sure if they're new - on the gantries facing cars approaching. Small square, glassy looking cameras with sort of 'wings' either side of the glassy aperture. Or flaps, if you want to call them that.
I've been trying to find out what these are... I only spotted them on two gantries, one gantry had four, and a lonely one on the exit gantry at junction 7 M42 where it swoops round to left under a bridge onto the M6 that goes through Birmingham. This was the only point I sped up as I left the M42... To the same speed as the other damn traffic and the guy who was baiting me in his Cayman, at a reckless 70mph


If the limit is set at 60 then my cruise control is set at 67. May as well use what’s available in terms of speedo inaccuracy and speeding tolerance.
littleredrooster said:
Wilbert350 said:
Cool, I'll do that. Anyone else got any idea what the small forward-facing gantry cameras are?
Most probably Trafficmaster (or whoever) cameras measuring traffic flow.In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
blueg33 said:
littleredrooster said:
Wilbert350 said:
Cool, I'll do that. Anyone else got any idea what the small forward-facing gantry cameras are?
Most probably Trafficmaster (or whoever) cameras measuring traffic flow.In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
But yes setting the cruise at 58 seems needlessly annoying. I'll let that poster off so long as they were sat in amongst the lorries in l1.
blueg33 said:
They could also be to monitor the live lanes for the smart motorway.
In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
The 3 small cameras take a picture of the speed displayed on the gantry signs, the Hadecs does the car at the same time, stops anyone claiming they were showing different speed etc etc.In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
Eddieslofart said:
blueg33 said:
They could also be to monitor the live lanes for the smart motorway.
In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
The 3 small cameras take a picture of the speed displayed on the gantry signs, the Hadecs does the car at the same time, stops anyone claiming they were showing different speed etc etc.In terms of the HADECS3's the are mounted to the left of the gantry's over the verge circa 4 metres high. You get advance warning as there are small cameras on poles just beforehand that seem to be monitoring the HADECS and hard shoulder.
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