New Type Of Camera?

[pmanson]

Hi all,

I've heard about some new cameras. They are about 3 foot high and painted black inside them is a small chip which activates as you go past the post. Then 300+ yrds away (More than likely hidden) are the police which then time you over a set distance and of course ticket you if you've been speeding.

A bloke I used to work with picked them up on his Road Angel or whatever hes got.

[gh0st]

Sounds doubtful.

A chip that activates from what? Somthing has to trigger it, like a piezo strip - which would make it a truvello type device, or time/distance video shot of number plate which would make it a SPECS type device.

[pmanson]

Yeah i wasn't sure either but the activation strips could be there he didn't say.
With the Truvelo's they paint three white lines across the road but the activation strip which is just before them aren't painted.

Let me see if I can get some more info.

[Mr Freefall]

www.speed-trap.co.uk/Accused_Home/Gadgets/Gadgets_Home.htm


This is a good site, scroll down on this page to see some of the legal systems



>> Edited by Mr Freefall on Wednesday 2nd July 10:42

>> Edited by Mr Freefall on Wednesday 2nd July 10:42

[JonRB]

Mr Freefall said:

www.speed-trap.co.uk/Accused_Home/Gadgets/Gadgets_Home.htm This is a good site, scroll down on this page to see some of the legal systems

I wouldn't put too much weight to their information. The section on the M25 CMIIS is complete bollocks and totally inaccurate.

[chrisgr31]

JonRB said:

Mr Freefall said: www.speed-trap.co.uk/Accused_Home/Gadgets/Gadgets_Home.htm This is a good site, scroll down on this page to see some of the legal systems I wouldn't put too much weight to their information. The section on the M25 CMIIS is complete bollocks and totally inaccurate.

Whats wrong with it then?

[JonRB]

chrisgr31 said:

Whats wrong with it then?

1. The system does NOT set it's own speed and does NOT have "traffic monitors". The speed on the matrix board is set from a control centre and the system just "reads" this and reacts to it.

2. The minimum speed is "Red X" (ie. lane closed), not 40mph. In fact the system can enforce X, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and NSL. Each of these has a user-definable threshold so in theory it can actually enforce 7 distinct speed limits of any value.

3. The cameras are not derivatives of GATSO cameras, they are standard radar actuated GATSO camera systems with an extra control computer and software that does all the variable speed stuff

4. The system does not come on "without warning". After the displayed speed limit changes there is a grace period of around 5 minutes during which the camera does not enforce. If there is a criticism about the system it is that a lot of motorists are not aware of it. That's not a flaw in the system though!

5. The theory given in the article is somewhat confused. The system was actually designed to adjust the speed of cars coming into a jam to be less than the speed of cars leaving it, thus untangling the jam and getting the traffic moving again.

That's all I can think of right now specifically.

[toad_oftoadhall]

JonRB said:

The system does not come on "without warning". After the displayed speed limit changes there is a grace period of around 5 minutes during which the camera does not enforce.

So if you have a blow out, change a tyre and restart after 10 minutes you're fair game.

I've been under these f**kers just as they change it's a disgrace.

As is putting 40 limit signs out for roadworks and setting the gantry signs to 60!

That is pure revenue raising....

[JonRB]

toad_oftoadhall said:

So if you have a blow out, change a tyre and restart after 10 minutes you're fair game.

And your point is....?

toad_oftoadhall said:

I've been under these f**kers just as they change it's a disgrace.

In what way. What should they do then? The whole point of a variable speed limit is that the speed limit is able to change. When the speed limit changes it is not enforced immediately. Seems fair.

toad_oftoadhall said:

As is putting 40 limit signs out for roadworks and setting the gantry signs to 60!

It's not the system's fault that the monkeys in the control room set the speed limit to be different to a posted temporary limit.
Actually it is an interesting legal point. Both are mandatory, so which takes precedence?
I'd drive to the lower linit personally in order to be sure.

[toad_oftoadhall]

JonRB said:

toad_oftoadhall said: So if you have a blow out, change a tyre and restart after 10 minutes you're fair game. And your point is....?

My point is they can't be sure that everyone they take 60 quid of has seen the correct sign.

toad_oftoadhall said:

As is putting 40 limit signs out for roadworks and setting the gantry signs to 60!

JonRB said:

It's not the system's fault that the monkeys in the control room set the speed limit to be different to a posted temporary limit.

Yeah I bet they turn down a few 60 quids and un ban a few innocent drivers. NOT!!!

JonRB said:

Actually it is an interesting legal point. Both are mandatory, so which takes precedence? I'd drive to the lower linit personally in order to be sure.

In theory the speed limit jumps wildly form 40-60 and back for a few feet at a time.

In practice you get 60 quid fine and end up on the dole which is why they do it.

>> Edited by toad_oftoadhall on Wednesday 2nd July 16:48

[Deadly Dog]

JonRB said:

3. The cameras are not derivatives of GATSO cameras, they are standard radar actuated GATSO camera systems with an extra control computer and software that does all the variable speed stuff

At the risk of being technically pendantic they are derivatives of standard gatsos. They use a focused parabolic radar beam designed specifically for over the road use. Hence the argument of type approval condition breach through adjacent radar interference is not applicable.

More details on page 43 of this document.