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There are many types of speed camera in operation, below is a list of the common types followed by a description of how each type of speed camera functions
How do they work?
Gatsos are mostly located in fixed positions on top of poles at the roadside. This equipment can also be used on a Portable trailer and tripod. Fixed installation Gatso speed cameras are rear facing as they use a 'flash' to photograph the vehicle. They do not flash the front of your vehicle because this would be a dangerous distraction for the driver. Some Gatsos are however mounted on poles which allow them to be reversible meaning that they can be turned to face different directions.
The gatso photographs are taken using standard 35mm films with a capacity of around 400 pictures. These films must therefore be changed regularly. Accuracy
Up to 100 km/h, the margin of error is 2 km/h maximum, above that, 2% of the registered speed - well within the legal margin of error. They are also tested for resilience under all weather conditions: up to 95% relative humidity, and from 15° below zero to 60° above, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The gatso speed cameras are also equipped with a timer, so that operating times can be limited to certain times of day when people are most likely to be speeding, for example in rush hour.
How do they work?
The Truvelo faces forwards and takes pictures using an infrared flash gun (the driver will not be able to see the flash). The camera film is sensitive to infrared: the reflected light provides the film with the correct exposure resulting in a crystal clear picture of the driver committing the offence that can be used in evidence.
The piezo road strips (AKA inductive loops) are a specific distance apart, the time between compressions is calculated to give the resulting speed of the vehicle. The system takes a single photograph alongside with four readings which are used to calculate an average speed. How do they work?
This system is very discreet compared to the more traditional types of roadside cameras such as gatso. Cameras are plugged in to a roadside sensor on a random basis to allow offenders to be recorded.
It operates by measuring speed by time and distance travelled via pressure sensors on or under the road surface, carefully spaced apart. Two separate readings of the vehicle's speed are taken, to ensure accuracy.
Much like VASCAR video, the offending vehicles are recorded. In automatic systems this evidence can be processed later, in manned operations the user radios ahead to colleagues who can pull the driver over directly after the speeding offence has taken place.
SPECS is a digital system that calculates an average speed by reading number plates a set distance apart and calculating the time taken.
How do they work?
A SPECS system consists of two or more cameras which are all interlinked. As a vehicle drives past the first, the infrared sensors either side of the camera take a reading of the number plate.
When the vehicle drives past the second camera and the information is stored again, and so on to the end of the SPECS zone. The information is used to calculate exactly how long it has taken that vehicle to travel from point A to B.
The information is then transmitted to a central office via fibre optic cables or recorded on discs stored in cabinets at the roadside. Which can be collected and changed, by police or speed check staff. Linked to DVLA or PNC computers, these can provide driver details which can be used to track down offenders.
The majority of camera vans use laser-based systems to calculate a vehicle's speed. They also likely to have some sort of video equipment attached to record the evidence.
How do they work?
Mobile laser systems are often located in police vans, they can target vehicles at short or long range. The laser is directed at the number plate and the returned signal bounces back to the gun to determine the speed. Evidence of which number plate was targeted is recorded on the video, or may be noted by the laser operator.
How do they work?
They are normally used in a stationary van but can be separate. They use radar to measure your speed and photograph you as you pass, just like a standard fixed Gatsos.
For more information on all of these camera types and related detectors please visit our police speed cameras page
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