Radar box on a post?
Discussion
Does anyone know what they are? Do they just record speed or something more devious?
Recently a local NSL road was reduced to 40, now at two places along the road something sets my detector off.
I looked a little closer and spotted a small black box similar to a small brief case with two padlocks on the handle, attached to the post of the 40 repeater sign. Then the same again about 1/4 mile further up the road. They send my detector crazy.
I thought they used strips across the road to record speeds?
Recently a local NSL road was reduced to 40, now at two places along the road something sets my detector off.
I looked a little closer and spotted a small black box similar to a small brief case with two padlocks on the handle, attached to the post of the 40 repeater sign. Then the same again about 1/4 mile further up the road. They send my detector crazy.
I thought they used strips across the road to record speeds?
deeps said:
Does anyone know what they are? Do they just record speed or something more devious?
Recently a local NSL road was reduced to 40, now at two places along the road something sets my detector off.
I looked a little closer and spotted a small black box similar to a small brief case with two padlocks on the handle, attached to the post of the 40 repeater sign. Then the same again about 1/4 mile further up the road. They send my detector crazy.
I thought they used strips across the road to record speeds?
Those are the new traffic counters
They CAN record speeds but can also be used just as counters. They don't record speeds for individual vehicles, they are used to calculate the 85th percentile which is the "design speed" for, say, junction improvements etc.
tvrgit said:
they are used to calculate the 85th percentile which is the "design speed" for, say, junction improvements etc.
How can you measure the 85% speed, when drivers are constrained by existing speed limits? Unless the existing speed limit is significantly higher than the 85% speed (which I think would be very rare) all you'd really be measuring is speed limit compliance.
Thanks for the info tvrgit, I think you're right greenv8s, they've lowered the limit and are measuring compliance. I'm expecting alot more accidents this summer from tourists, due to the new kerb stone islands they've placed nicely in the middle of the road, almost invisible at night in the rain.. we'll see.
Most people I see coming upon these "rubber lines" on the road, slow down to the posted limit or below.
Seems to me to be a way of "proving" people are "already" driving at a slower speed, or proves vindication for setting up a scamera - monitor the numbers of those above the posted and 10%+2, then do the maths, and see if a scamera pays for itself any time soon.
That's my theory - we'll see if I'm right or not in due course.
Seems to me to be a way of "proving" people are "already" driving at a slower speed, or proves vindication for setting up a scamera - monitor the numbers of those above the posted and 10%+2, then do the maths, and see if a scamera pays for itself any time soon.
That's my theory - we'll see if I'm right or not in due course.
deeps said:Some poor sod biker will buy the farm, and the council will rip them out - happened round here a few years back in two different locations. They also put in some of those cross-the-road-on-a-big-speed-hump with give way signs to allow cyclists to zip alongside the main road without stopping and looking at each side road junction, as they got these big humps that go level with the pavement. Several folk said, stoopid, may be politically correct and legally correct (with the signage) but some kid will die. Some kid did die, on a paper round, and within the year. God save us from muppets without the first idea on real world road safety principles.
Thanks for the info tvrgit, I think you're right greenv8s, they've lowered the limit and are measuring compliance. I'm expecting alot more accidents this summer from tourists, due to the new kerb stone islands they've placed nicely in the middle of the road, almost invisible at night in the rain.. we'll see.
pjskel said:
Most people I see coming upon these "rubber lines" on the road, slow down to the posted limit or below.
Seems to me to be a way of "proving" people are "already" driving at a slower speed, or proves vindication for setting up a scamera - monitor the numbers of those above the posted and 10%+2, then do the maths, and see if a scamera pays for itself any time soon.
That's my theory - we'll see if I'm right or not in due course.
The rubber tube ones are very rarely used to measure speeds. At least in my experience.
turbobloke said:Unfortunately I see them all the time... as in all professions, there are some who are good and some who are not - and then there are some who are driven by political masters who may be the real muppets.
God save us from muppets without the first idea on real world road safety principles.
{quote=tvrgit]The rubber tube ones are very rarely used to measure speeds. At least in my experience[/quote]
If there are 2 tubes speed is what they measure. As night follows day without exception in Flintshire an Arrive Alive scumeravan will appear a few weeks after the twin tube speed monitors have been removed. The more recent trick is to apply a ridiculously low limit eg was 50 or even NSL 30. I can think of 7 or 8 locations where that has been case in last 2 years
If there are 2 tubes speed is what they measure. As night follows day without exception in Flintshire an Arrive Alive scumeravan will appear a few weeks after the twin tube speed monitors have been removed. The more recent trick is to apply a ridiculously low limit eg was 50 or even NSL 30. I can think of 7 or 8 locations where that has been case in last 2 years
Richard C said:
{quote=tvrgit]The rubber tube ones are very rarely used to measure speeds. At least in my experience
If there are 2 tubes speed is what they measure.[/quote]
Incorrect.
Twin tubes can also be used to classify vehicles (cars, lights, heavies etc) by measuring the distance between the axles in relation to speed. The box then doesn't store the speed - only the vehicle class.
FWIW, all the ones I've came across have been twin rather than single.
If they don't measure the speed per se, then no big deal, but as they seem to to then be used for vehicle classification, seems a bit daft to me, not to store the related speed as well.
Killing many birds with one stone, so to speak.
If they don't measure the speed per se, then no big deal, but as they seem to to then be used for vehicle classification, seems a bit daft to me, not to store the related speed as well.
Killing many birds with one stone, so to speak.
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