specs means tickets
Discussion
This thread has been moved to another forum.
uh oooh - I just had this emailed to me, seeing as I drive this road alot , I wait in anticipation for the letters - even thought about doing a sweepstake on how many tickets will turn up and when (sort of a fundraising thing). I'm just glad I haven't been down this road on my bike for a bit - prisioned would have beckoned methinks. On the M4 stretch you can see the cameras on the new huge roadsigns - which are a real blot on the landscape.
FYI................
Subject: Fw: road safety - M4 J14 -J12 Speed Camera s - Warning!
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 15:47:26 +0100
Subject: road safety - M4 J14 -J12 Speed Camera s - Warning!
For info...
The SPECS - speed enforcement system is now live on the M4 between Junction
12 - Theale, and J14 Hungerford, just east of Membury Service station.
It was switched on officially, by a transport minister, for a '6-month trial
period' on Tues 7 October 2003.
It is likely to be set at 78mph real road speed! No human intervention is
required in issuing speeding tickets, so very large numbers can be issued
automatically.
The cameras are mounted on the overhead information signs, (pairs of tiny
cameras). They DO NOT FLASH, so you won't know you are likely to 'cop' a
ticket at the time.
Info from the internet follows.
SPECS -speed enforcement system
The digital speed camera developed by Speed Check Services Ltd (SPECS)
obtained Home Office type approval in 2000. The camera is a major
technological development over previous speed cameras and has proved
successful in improving road safety and reducing casualties. SPECS cameras
work in pairs and calculate the average speed of a car over a length that
can be between 250m and 10km. top
What is SPECS?
It is the only approved automatic digital speed enforcement using average
speed measurement in the UK. The system is deterrent based with the ultimate
deterrent being enforcement.
Is there any similar technology currently in operation?
No. SPECS is a unique product.
Although conventional automatic speed enforcement systems are in operation,
none currently can enforce speeds over a distance - except SPECS.
How does it work?
SPECS works using automatic average speed digital technology. A pair of
cameras creates a speed controlled zone and groups of cameras can be
linked to create a speed controlled network. As vehicles pass between the
cameras pairs they are digitally recorded. The time it takes for the vehicle
to travel between both points is used to calculate the average speed.
If the vehicle speed is above a speed threshold, a speeding violation record
is automatically generated. This includes images of the registration plate,
a colour image of the vehicle and text data including the time, date,
location and average speed travelling between both locations.
Violation records are stored on large storage capacity discs. This system
functions 24 hours a day and can be interfaced with existing ticket
processing systems.
How will motorists know what to look out for?
Motorists will need to look out for cameras erected on tall blue-coloured
distinctive columns in the verge and central reservation. The cameras do not
flash and all the data is digitally stored so that there is no need for
film. Speed Camera Signs will be erected explaining to motorists that speed
enforcement will be taking place.
What is SPECS and SVDD?
SPECS is the brand name for the system. This stands for SPEed Check
enforcement System.
SVDD stands for Speed Violation Detection Deterrent. It is the name given to
the unique technology the SPECS system is based upon which has gained Home
Office Type Approval (HOTA).
What is Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) testing and why is it significant?
Home Office Approval testing is in place to ensure that equipment meets the
highest standards and any information provided from HOTA approved equipment
can be considered as providing admissible evidence in UK courts.
ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) approved of the system and
supported its application for Home Office Type Approval. Two Police Forces,
Kent and Leicestershire, championed the trials testing on the M1 and M20
Roadworks.
The PSDB (Police Scientific and Development Branch of the Home Office)
undertook scientific evaluation as a necessary part of the HOTA process.
This evaluation included test track trials at an independent test site. The
evaluation was successful and verified the SVDD technology used in SPECS as
100% accurate.
HOTA is significant because it empowers UK Police Forces to use the SPECS
technology to bring charges against speeding offenders, confident in the
knowledge that they can present irrefutable supporting evidence.
In addition, UK Home Office Type Approved products are regarded
internationally as meeting external high standards of quality and integrity.
THE INFO BELOW IS HISTORIC AND IS NOT GUARANTEED UP TO DATE, OR CURRENT.
Where is the system in operation?
Permanent SPECS systems are now operating in Nottingham, Northampton and
Gloucester:
A616 Stocksbridge Bypass in South Yorkshire
Nottingham Phase 1 - A610 & Ring Road
Nottingham Phase 2 - Extension of Nuttall Rd A610
Nottingham Phase 3 - Extension of Western Boulevard South, Ring Rd
Nottingham Phase 4 - Extension of Western Boulevard North, Ring Rd
A43 Lumbertubs Way, Northampton
Linden & Podsmead, Gloucester - Residential area
Temporary roadworks throughout the country currently using the SPECS system
include.
M62 J7 -9 Roadworks, Warrington
M6 Thelwall Viaduct, Cheshire
M62 J7 - 9 Roadworks, Cheshire
M6 J6 Spagetti Junction Roadworks, Birmingham
More sites to follow in the next few months.
Is the data legally enforceable?
The HOTA enables the SPECS violation records to be presented as admissible
evidence in UK courts.
Apart from its use as a speeding deterrent, are there any other benefits?
Yes. There are many other longer term benefits which will be possible once
the SPECS systems are installed including increasing road safety and
decreasing speed profiles, more accurate journey time information and other
performance data and speed management benefits.
________________________________________________________________________
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff