Automated controls uphold speed limits and maintain discipline at traffic lights and railway crossings, enhancing road safety. But traffic cameras are also the ideal instrument for implementing other forms of traffic management, such as dedicated lanes, ramp metering or restricted access.

Increasing pressure on the roads demands rigorous traffic management. To preserve a free lane for public transport for example, or to stop residential areas being used as short cuts by unwanted through-traffic. The implementation of such measures is often hindered by limited enforcement capacity. Police forces simply lack the manpower to supervise them all.

Electronic aids provide a solution. Traffic cameras are not only patient, they can also do more. Like keeping unauthorized traffic out of restricted access zones, thereby protecting a neighborhood from short cut traffic. An impossible task for a policeman but not for an automated system. With digital license plate recognition, the computer can identify every non-registered vehicle.

By combining proven components like digital cameras and loop detectors, traffic can be efficiently led in the right direction.

Forms of traffic management:

• Digital access control
• Monitoring dedicated lanes
• Ramp metering
• Railway crossings
• Tunnels and bridges

Digital access control

Many residential neighbourhoods are used as short-cuts. Unwanted through traffic creates noise and pollution and can cause nasty accidents. Local authorities are increasingly resorting to closing off residential areas and town centers with posts and concrete obstructions. These are drastic measures. Often it is simply enough to close a short-cut route for a few hours every weekday during the rush hour or to introduce one-way traffic. The potential of digital control for this role is enormous. Loop detectors in a one-way street monitor the direction of all passing vehicles. When an offence is committed, a digital camera identifies the license plate. For access restriction, digital control has a major advantage: local residents and services can be given exemption via a ‘white list’ that can hold an unlimited number of license plates.

Monitoring dedicated lanes

Pressure on the road forces traffic managers and local authorities to set priorities. By introducing dedicated lanes for busses, taxis or trucks for example, or by banning heavy goods traffic from specific lanes. Restrictions can be permanent or flexible, as with rush hour lanes that offer extra capacity for a few hours a day.
Traffic cameras are ideal for monitoring such measures and road managers will usually require no more than the standard Gatsometer radar and loop detector systems. Trucks can be recognised by their length. Taxis and busses can be exempted via digital license plate recognition. The Gatso Traffic Camera can control up to three lanes per direction, the Gatso Multi-Camera System up to four.

Ramp metering

Road managers can combat tail-backs by metering traffic joining a highway. A traffic camera enforces the necessary discipline. Loop detectors register when more than one vehicle passes the green light.

Railway crossings

Reckless driving on railway crossings regularly causes accidents. Accidents that often result in multiple victims and lead to serious delays on the railway. A traffic camera has a deterrent effect and can also identify any vehicle responsible for damage.

Tunnels and bridges

Ignoring height restrictions results in a great deal of damage to tunnels and bridges. By linking a traffic camera to a height sensor, road managers can establish responsibility.