Cameras distinguishing vans from cars, is this new?

[Valgar]

Hi, I've just seen this on a Facebook (I know I know) where this guy claims that he got ticketed recently doing over 60 on a dual carriageway (A12) in a van. I wasn't aware the cameras could do this, how long has it been a thing?

[SS2.]

A camera might not differentiate between a car & a van, but a person operating one most certainly could.

[surveyor]

Probably a mobile van with a person...

While technically the camera could read a number plate and look it up and work out what type of vehicle it is, I don't think the network and databases would be able to do it in time, to tell the camera to take the photograph...

[Escapegoat]

More likely an automatic DVLA look-up on vehicle type, no?

[Ron99]

Just a thought but the A12/A14 South of Ipswich (Orwell Bridge) is a DC with 60mph limit and fixed/average speed cameras..

Otherwise, as said above: mobile camera.

[surveyor]

Escapegoat said:

More likely an automatic DVLA look-up on vehicle type, no?

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

[SS2.]

Not forgetting that DVLA's classification of vehicles is far from definitive in determining whether special speed limits should apply.

Ask Nigel Worcs.

[DoubleD]

surveyor said:

Escapegoat said:

More likely an automatic DVLA look-up on vehicle type, no?

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Computers are powerful things. Im sure the data base would be fine.

[cptsideways]

The Gatso's on the A303 can tell the difference


They have wheel sensors in the road ahead for trailers I know this as I got done for 60 towing (with a 3 wheeled trailer!) the wheel sensors are clearly visible if you look.

They often flash lorries doing 56 but not cars at the same speed, so I assume they have an adjustable height setting for the radar

[Escapegoat]

DoubleD said:

surveyor said:

Escapegoat said:

More likely an automatic DVLA look-up on vehicle type, no?

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Computers are powerful things. Im sure the data base would be fine.

ANPR -> NADC = 35,000,000 vehicles.

Per day.

And, for speeding enforcement, the look-up wouldn't have to be done in real time.

[Efbe]

Escapegoat said:

DoubleD said:

surveyor said:

Escapegoat said:

More likely an automatic DVLA look-up on vehicle type, no?

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Computers are powerful things. Im sure the data base would be fine.

ANPR -> NADC = 35,000,000 vehicles.

Per day.

And, for speeding enforcement, the look-up wouldn't have to be done in real time.

if you can code, which I'm hoping they can it will be incredibly quick.
35mn is a small number.

[SS2.]

Is there a SPECS system on the A12 ?

[SonicShadow]

SS2. said:

Is there a SPECS system on the A12 ?

Yes.

[gazza285]

surveyor said:

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

There's enough computing power in my phone to do all that.

[SS2.]

SonicShadow said:

SS2. said:

Is there a SPECS system on the A12 ?

Yes.

Perhaps that's where the Facebooker was nabbed.

[m3jappa]

I always carry on as normal with the police. usually going past them at an indicated 80. Generally they don't bat an eye lid.

One day on the a12 i went past one in my sprinter van at 80. His face was just total shock as if to say what the fk do you think your doing. lights went straight on and pulled me in, gave me a bking telling me i should be doing no more than 60.

I obviously passed the attitude test as i was let go (followed closely for about 5 miles, but let go)

[CzechItOut]

surveyor said:

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Or

Take photo first
Then do lookup (which is now no longer time dependent)
Discard photo if not over speed limit

[Tomo1971]

surveyor said:

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Or - Average Speed/Specs/Digital cameras
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Any recorded over 56 - Save
Any recorded under 56 - Delete
All pics over 56 are sent down the line for checking against vehicle database
Those that are vans and over 60 - Ticket
Those that are cars and over 70 - Ticket
Those that are HGV's and over 56 - Ticket
etc etc....

[surveyor]

OK - I give up!

[33q]

Tomo1971 said:

surveyor said:

Think that through.

Vehicle drives through
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Looks numberplate up in huge database
Cross references speeds to numberplate.
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Retains photo or discards photo
x 1000's of vehicles an hour

I reckon it would sink the database.

Or - Average Speed/Specs/Digital cameras
Camera reads number-plate and converts image to text
Does calculation of speed.
Compares speed to actual speed.
Any recorded over 56 - Save
Any recorded under 56 - Delete
All pics over 56 are sent down the line for checking against vehicle database
Those that are vans and over 60 - Ticket
Those that are cars and over 70 - Ticket
Those that are HGV's and over 56 - Ticket
etc etc....

This