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Diffusers & Jamers available but due to legal reasons Sureway Software Ltd does not host this equipment.
However it can be purchased from these two companies: |
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Speed Camera Guide |
| Our Speed Camera Guide gives information on the different types of speed cameras and speed trap devices currently being used throughout the UK by Police.
Use the summaries below to select more in depth information relating to a specific speed detecting device. |
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Truvelo Speed Cameras
Forward facing Truvelo camera system is designed to take photographs of the front of a passing vehicle... more |
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SPECS System
Speed Violation Detection Deterrent, SVDD is the digital brain which the SPECS system is based upon... more |
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TSS System
The Autovision 3 (AV3) or Speedmaster DS3, manufactured by Traffic Safety Systems Ltd. This system uses... more |
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Traffic Master
Often mistaken for a form of speed camera, the Traffic Master system takes the form of blue camera like devices... more |
 Gatso Meter Speed Cameras
By far the most popular choice for police forces and local authorities across the UK. The Gatsometer BV company which originates from the Netherlands, was founded in 1959 by Maurice Gastonides, a famous rally driver and winner of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1953.
The Gatso speed camera uses radar technology (radar type 24), the equipment can be used in a stationary position, in a car, in a trailer on a tripod or from a moving vehicle. Fixed installation post (F.I.P) Gatso speed cameras are rear facing as they use a 'flash' to capture the image required for prosecution, which would distract a driver if forward facing.
The images are stored on a standard 35mm 'wet film', which needs to be changed and processed. With each film reel only having the ability to take 400 pictures before needing to be changed, cameras in busy places or where speeding offences occur more often can only last a few hours before needing to change the film.
Some Gatso's can also tell the difference between a car and HGV, so if for instance the limit was 60 mph for cars and for HGV's it was 40 mph, if HGV's pass the threshold of approx 45-50mph the camera would be triggered.
Gatso speed cameras need to calibrated and only record traffic in one lane at a time. Some Police authorities have placed cameras which can be turned around to face different traffic flows from one week to the next.
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 Traffic Light Cameras
Gatsometer BV, manufacturer of the UK's Red Light Cameras, (named Gatso RLC 36) has been producing RLC's since 1966.
The RLC system is triggered by sensors or ground loops that are cut into road surface as a vehicle passes over them, while a red light is shown.
The Red Light Camera was originally used to measure red light offences. Nowadays the RLC can also be used in combination with speed measurement, similar to that of a Gatso Meter rear facing speed camera (radar type 24 technology) and can therefore also record the speed of the offending motorist as well. So you could end with a speeding offence as well as a traffic light offence, if you go through a red light camera!
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 Truvelo Speed Cameras
The forward facing Truvelo camera system is designed to take photographs of the front of a passing vehicle. This allows the picture taken to show the driver of the vehicle as well. In countries such as Switzerland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries driver recognition is a required factor to enable a successful prosecution of a speed or red light offence.
A single front photograph, taken just after the vehicle has crossed the piezo sensors used for speed measurement, includes all the secondary check information required.
To avoid the 'flash' which is given out by a rear facing Gatso camera the Truvelo system uses an infra red flash which produces no visible 'flash' to the approaching driver.
Pictured above; a forward facing Truvelo speed camera, sometimes referred to as a 'pink eye'.
These are becoming increasingly more used, especially with recent cases where the registered owner of a vehicle has disputed that he/she was not driving the vehicle at the time of the speeding offence. This system offers evidence as to the identity of the driver at the time of the offence.
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 PEEK Traffic Speed Cameras
Peek Traffic B.V., founded in 1990 and based in the Netherlands. Manufacture a range of speed detecting cameras, using either loops within the roads surface or radar. The most popular in the UK is similar in design to a rear facing Gasto using a normal double-flash. PEEK Traffic cameras within the United Kingdom are in minority use compared with the Gasto Meter. Counties currently using PEEK Traffic cameras include; Leicestershire, Greater London and Berkshire.
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 SPECS System
Speed Violation Detection Deterrent, SVDD is the digital brain which the SPECS system is based upon, it uses state of the art video system with Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) digital technology. Consisting of two video cameras each fitted with infra red illuminators, giving the ability to work 24hrs 7days a week.
SPECS are fitted either at the roadside or central reservation a set distance apart to create a speed controlled zone, or where appropriate, groups of cameras can be linked to create a speed controlled network. Mounted to a single or doubled armed distinctive blue SPECS column, they are linked together via computer.
As vehicles pass between the entry and exit camera points their number plates are digitally recorded, whether speeding or not. Then, by ANPR recognition, the images on the video of matching number plates are paired up, and because each image carries a date and time stamp, the computer can then work out your average speed between the cameras, and then will make a decision if the preset speed threshold is triggered. This data is then digitally stored on a central computer, so that there is no need for film to be collected and changed at the cameras site.
Pictured above; a SPECS system sited on one side of the road, used to enforce speed in both directions.
SPECS is currently in use in permanent sites in Nottingham, Gloucester and Northamptonshire and in temporary locations in Cheshire, Kent, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
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TSS System
The Autovision 3 (AV3) or Speedmaster DS3, manufactured by Traffic Safety Systems Ltd. This system uses less visible physical infrastructure than a Gatso, Truvelo or SPECS system, the speed detection equipment relies on three piezo sensors installed in the road surface and then terminated to a vandal-protected heavy duty roadside post. The camera teams then visit such sites frequently but on an unpredictable and random pattern.
A camera is plugged into the roadside sensor set-up to allow offenders to be recorded. Speed camera signing reinforces such sites. This system is generally best for tackling longer lengths of road.
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Mobile & Handheld Devices
Police Constabularies across the country use a variety of mobile and hand devices to catch speeding motorists. These systems include; Mini-Gatso, TSS system (see above) and Teletraffic (laser guns). Mini-Gatso, the technology used in a Mini-Gatso unit is very similar to that used within a fixed position Gatso speed camera, using radar type 24 (see above). Teletraffic, police camera teams use this as a vehicle based system which can be set up to detect speeding traffic from a distance of 1000 metres using laser technology. The device is aimed on a vehicle number plate and which is then recorded on video film with the associated speed. This system is generally best for tackling lengths of road, and may be used outside of signed locations.
Most counties across the UK have a 'Speeding Campaign' of some form. Many Police Constabularies and local authorities have routes where they regularly patrol and carry out speed checks. Wrexham for instance in North Wales has a campaign called 'Arrive Alive', the campaign is fairly high profile, with a dark blue high top transit liveried in the logo "Arrive Alive" on the sides of the van. The van has blacked out windows in the rear apart from a small trapdoor in one window from which the camera lenses protrudes. Other counties have similar projects acting to deter speeding motorists, with some using equipment that first monitors passing vehicles speed and then on large illuminated signs flash up your current speed. Although few prosecutions result from this method, it is more to highlight 'speed' and speeding campaigns.
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Traffic Master
 Often mistaken for a form of speed camera, the Traffic Master system takes the form of blue camera like devices normally either situated on a blue pole by the road side or fixed to a bridge across all lanes of traffic.
The purpose of the Traffic Master system is to feed traffic information back to the control centre to highlight slow moving traffic (i.e. traffic jams), and then to relay this information to its customers via various multimedia products. visit http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk/ for more information. |
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