Digital enforcement for speeding and red light

Speed enforcement (wet film and digital)

The traffic camera is here to stay. And in dozens of countries all over the world, it is Gatsometer camera’s that are deployed to deter people from speeding. Automated controls are vital for road safety, because drivers are always pushing the limits.

Gatsometer supplies a full range of equipment for registering and processing speeding offences. Speed enforcement with radar or loops is available.

Radar

Radar is a trustworthy and flexible method of measuring speed. The technology requires no interference with the road surface. One radar pole at the roadside can supervise three lanes. Both approaching and receding traffic. Up to two measurements per second.

With the Gatso radar 24 no vehicle can slip through unobserved. Vertical alignment of the radar beam is not necessary, which makes the Gatso radar 24 ideal for stationary mobile speed measurement. And since the system takes not one but a few hundred readings while a vehicle passes, errors are practically eliminated. Radar reflections between vehicles and beam interference are ignored. The Gatso radar 24 can also distinguish between cars and trucks, which allows the use of separate speed thresholds.

Together with the Gatso radar 24 Gatsometer produces analogue cameras and a digital camera. The analogue cameras, the AUS and ROC camera, have all proved themselves over many years. With their high image quality, they record vehicles and license plates over three lanes, with ease, from the roadside. The 30 meter film, which holds 800 exposures, can be efficiently processed (automatically if required) and simply and safely stored. Data such as speed, date and time, loop distance and location are projected onto the image. They can also be recorded on a memory card for automated processing.

The digital camera, which Gatsometer produces, is called the DRCS (Digital Radar Camera System). The DRCS has a resolution of 2 mega pixels. This is more than enough to identify license plates on two lanes without difficulty. The hard disc can store many thousands of images. From inaccessible places, the camera can transmit these images to any other place. The pictures are immediately available and there is no development time required. With the digital camera, data such as speed, data and time and location are stored with the image.

In order to identify vehicles and license plates correctly under all circumstances, Gatsometer camera systems are fitted with more than one flash system.

Loops

Loop detectors provide accurate and reliable speed control, even on busy stretches of road. Two loop detectors are cut into each lane and register every passing vehicle. Measurement per lane ensures optimal identification of speeding offenders.

Each loop detector takes a series of measurements of a passing vehicle. This series forms a unique profile. A speed is only calculated when the two loops register the same profile, in the same lane, immediately after each other. The result is thoroughly reliable, whether a car is traveling at 40 or 240 km/h. An illegal measurement, caused by a vehicle changing lanes for example, is automatically ignored.

Gatsometer produces two analogue cameras working with loops and one digital camera. The Gatso RLC 36 and the GTC-F (Gatso Traffic Camera) have proved themselves over many years. With their high image quality, they record vehicles and license plates over three lanes, with ease, from the roadside. The 30 meter film, which holds 800 exposures, can be efficiently processed (automatically if required) and simply and safely stored. Data such as speed, date and time, loop distance and location are projected onto the image. They can also be recorded on a memory card for automated processing.

The digital camera, which Gatsometer produces, is called the GTC-D (Gatso Traffic Camera- Digital) The GTC-D has a resolution of 2 mega pixels. This is more than enough to identify license plates on two lanes without difficulty. The hard disc can store many thousands of images. From inaccessible places, the camera can transmit these images to any other place. The pictures are immediately available and there is no development time required. With the digital camera, data such as speed, data and time and location are stored with the image.

Poles

Solitary camera systems offer great flexibility. With poles on both sides of the road, a digital camera can monitor up to four lanes an analogue camera up to six lanes. A limited number of camera’s can be circulated between a larger number of poles. With hinged or up-down access to cabinets, changing film cassettes or equipment becomes a simple operation.

Gatsometer cabinets are double plated, with bullet-proof glass and security lock supplied as standard. For vulnerable locations, the Gatso Safety System offers an extensive package of security features, including an impact sensor, a tilt sensor, a door contact sensor and a microphone.

Mobile speed control

Gatsometer equipment is also ideally suited to mobile speed control: from a tripod on the roadside or built into a car. Most of the equipment can be conveniently stowed in the boot. With digital cameras the police officer responsible can immediately view and process the images and speed data on a laptop computer. The administration is thus compete by the time he or she returns to the office.

Administrative processing

For processing photos and case details, Gatsometer supplies the TOPS ( Total Offence Processing System) package as standard. The modular software streamlines the administrative process: identification and tracing of license plates, matching them with case details and then forwarding files. TOPS interfaces perfectly with all the viewers in the Gatsometer range.

Traffic Light Control

In dozen countries all over the world, it is Gatsometer cameras that are deployed to deter people driving through red lights. Automated controls are vital for safety at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Gatsometer supplies a full range of equipment for registering and processing traffic light offences. Whether it is a two-lane street or a six-lane intersection, a digital or an analogue camera, mounted on poles or gantries, Gatsometer has a robust , reliable and efficient system for every situation.

Loop detectors provide accurate and reliable traffic light control. Two inductive loop detectors are cut into each lane, just before and just after the stop line. Every passing vehicle is registered. A delay time can be set. Any vehicle that passes after that time is photographed twice in quick succession. The first photo shows the offence, the second confirms that the vehicle was actually moving. The camera is set up so that the red light is also visible in the picture.

Loop detection distinguishes between cars and trucks. A separate speed threshold can be installed for each category. The traffic light camera’s can also be used to measure speed when the lights are showing green, red or amber. This double function allows Gatsometer traffic camera’s to be rotated between traffic lights and speeding control poles linked to loop detectors.

Analogue camera

Digital camera

Administrative processing

Traffic Management

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.