Mobile phones to catch speeders?

[toppstuff]

Seen on Autotrader:

Phone masts 'may replace Gatsos'

Speeding motorists could soon be trapped by the UK's huge network of mobile phone masts.

According to a report in New Scientist magazine, experts are developing a system which can pinpoint the location and speed of vehicles by analysing the mobile phone signals that bounce off them.

As there are more than five mobile phone masts for every speed camera, this technology could potentially provide national coverage of UK roads.

Researchers say these cell-phone radars will be favoured by police forces in the future to catch motorists breaking the speed limits, particularly as the technology is cheaper and smaller than conventional methods.

A spokesman for Roke Manor Research, which is carrying out the probe into this use of mobile phone masts, said: 'The cell-phone radar can provide data on the position and speed of all vehicles in the network area. It could also be linked to number plate recognition cameras - it's a very flexible system.'

The Highways Agency has expressed an interest in using the technology to monitor traffic flow, but the Home Office say it is too early to say whether police forces will adopt the new technology.




It just gets better does'nt it..

[robp]

Discussed a bit here today


<a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=63442"><a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=63442">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=63442</a></a>

edited to fix the link!



>> Edited by robp on Thursday 23 October 19:47

>> Edited by robp on Thursday 23 October 20:05

>> Edited by robp on Thursday 23 October 20:05

[206xsi]

Can't see it working

What happens if I overtake an identical car

[seaton]

If the signal on my mobile is anything to go by they'll never catch anyone

[docevi1]

ok so that link takes me to thread about fixing runners on a TVR

It'll never work because as someone pointed out the signals are really bad. Plus, I'd just switch my phone off and take the battery out You can't use it when driving anyway so whats the point.

Plus the accuracy isn't that great, it's within x metres or something. Plus (again) they rely upon phone masts kinda mixing rather than just which cell you are in I think - no use in the country.

>> Edited by docevi1 on Thursday 23 October 19:55

[robp]

docevi1 said:

ok so that link takes me to thread about fixing runners on a TVR It'll never work because as someone pointed out the signals are really bad. Plus, I'd just switch my phone off and take the battery out You can't use it when driving anyway so whats the point. Plus the accuracy isn't that great, it's within x metres or something. Plus (again) they rely upon phone masts kinda mixing rather than just which cell you are in I think - no use in the country. >> Edited by docevi1 on Thursday 23 October 19:55

Fixed now, was missing a number off the end!

[206xsi]

I don't think it's the signal from the phone they are using (although they could ). The way I read it they are using the signals from the tranmitters to triangulate your point - just like radar...

[miniman]

I'm sure Vodafone et al will be delighted with this plan when they realise it will mean massive disruption to their network and thus their income when all the masts get cut down...

[DustyC]

Sound like a load of old arse to me.

I think this may be a bit of a stir.

[outlaw]

dont thing the mobile companys would dare try it.

as im shaw. I aint the only one that would cancel my contract 3 seconds after they tryed it.

[Avocet]

Can't you just turn the mobile off to avoid detection?

[docevi1]

exactly. For it to work, it would have to be law that the mobile was switched on an in the car with you at all times....

Then again, they might want to install a "mobile" into the car which works with the ignition. Then again, if it aint installed via the ECU

[rico]

Can you imagine the police sending NIPs to all the pilots up and down the country flying around at over 70mph...

[hedders]

We will have to be very careful about leaving our phones in peoples cars too...

[ribol]

So when you don't want to get nicked for speeding you turn the mobile off. Mobile off, no calls recieved or made, big loss of revenue for phones companies. Cannot see them being too happy about doing that, can you?

Ivan

[JMGS4]

Just softening you up for the compulsary on board tax unit which these anti-car greenslime in Shitehall are thinking up!!!

[icamm]

Switching your phone off won't help. The system uses the signals being sent out by the phone companies at all times. They are not locking onto the phone in your pocket.

[mondeoman]

icamm said:

Switching your phone off won't help. The system uses the signals being sent out by the phone companies at all times. They are not locking onto the phone in your pocket.

so what are they locking onto an getting back??

[Swilly]

Conspiracy Alert

Didnt the Chinese try this method out in Serbia to detect US Stealth planes, resulting in the accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy that was acting as the operations center.

Apparently an object ie a stealth bomber will leave a gap in the field of radio waves.

[marvelharvey]

What happens if you lend your phone to someone or you accidently leave it on the passenger seat when someone borrows your car?

Doubt this'll ever happen.

Thank god I don't have a mobile... am I the only one?