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aros71

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#216611 4-Jul-2017 21:56
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So the new generation speed cameras use an infra-red flash instead of the old-style orange flash.

 

The IR flash is supposed to be undetectable by human eyes so you don't know if you've been photographed or not.

 

However, I find I can see the flash quite clearly (I can also sometimes dimly see the IR pulses from certain remote controls too, so clearly I have freakish eyes)

 

Thing that has bothered me a lot since the introduction of the new speed cameras is that when I pass one on the Porirua motorway, I am *always* photographed. Regardless of what speed I am doing. And due to traffic density on that road, I am usually well *below* the speed limit.

 

 

 

Why, then, am I being photographed?

 

 

 

The only conclusion I can draw is that they have experienced some scope creep from their original mission of speed enforcement, and are now being used to compile a database of vehicle movements.

 

 

 

Do these cameras now look for stolen or unregistered cars as well as speeding ones, perhaps?

 

 

 

Be nice if they'd tell us, rather than hide behind the assumed undetectable nature of their cameras.


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rscole86
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  #1812932 4-Jul-2017 22:13
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My understanding is that they will take a photo of anyone exceeding the 90km/h limit for vehicles towing trailers or HMV.

The speed camera vans are only used for exactly that. They do have some anpr vehicles, but they have multiple camera's on them and are much more obvious, there are normally road policing staff parked up nearby.

Disclaimer: I don't feel the need to wear a tinfoil hat.



scuwp
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  #1812946 4-Jul-2017 22:21
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An overactive imagination I think.




Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation



richms
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  #1812948 4-Jul-2017 22:23
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why would they need a flash on a digital ANPR anyway?





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Aredwood
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  #1812987 5-Jul-2017 00:31

There was also a thread about vehicle tracking using Bluetooth device IDs. Although my understanding was that it was only about gathering data to analyse traffic flow patterns.






sbiddle
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  #1812999 5-Jul-2017 02:37
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Aredwood:

 

There was also a thread about vehicle tracking using Bluetooth device IDs. Although my understanding was that it was only about gathering data to analyse traffic flow patterns.

 

 

I'm unable to establish what the NZTA privacy policy is re the storage of this data.

 

 


sbiddle
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  #1813000 5-Jul-2017 02:41
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When they deployed the new fixed digital cameras in Wellington the positioning had nothing to do with speed or speeding but solely so they could be be used for average speed ticketing in the future.

 

The cameras at Karo Dr, SH2 at Thorndon, SH1 Ngauranga Gorge and SH2 Petone were all stragetically placed and I believe during initial testing were capturing every plate. I'm unsure what the current status is and whether this is still occuring.

 

 


frankv
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  #1813008 5-Jul-2017 06:51
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richms:

 

why would they need a flash on a digital ANPR anyway?

 

 

For the same reason they'd need one on a digital speed camera.

 

 


 
 
 
 

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Bung
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  #1813018 5-Jul-2017 07:24
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Any new technology never seems to be deployed further than a short drive from the traffic control base at Ngauranga.

Regarding the Bluetooth used to drive the current journey time signs, the collection points don't correspond exactly with the destinations. Wellington CBD is past the end of the Terrace tunnel, Airport is at the roundabout at the end of SH1.

gbwelly
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  #1813021 5-Jul-2017 07:29
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sbiddle:

 

When they deployed the new fixed digital cameras in Wellington the positioning had nothing to do with speed or speeding but solely so they could be be used for average speed ticketing in the future.

 

The cameras at Karo Dr, SH2 at Thorndon, SH1 Ngauranga Gorge and SH2 Petone were all strategically placed and I believe during initial testing were capturing every plate. I'm unsure what the current status is and whether this is still occurring.

 

 

 

 

Don't forget top and bottom of the Wainuiomata hill.








scuwp
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  #1813029 5-Jul-2017 08:16
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Bung: Any new technology never seems to be deployed further than a short drive from the traffic control base at Ngauranga.

Regarding the Bluetooth used to drive the current journey time signs, the collection points don't correspond exactly with the destinations. Wellington CBD is past the end of the Terrace tunnel, Airport is at the roundabout at the end of SH1.

 

 

 

I would think it is reasonable while testing and trialling new technology that a convenient location that can give the system a good workout would be preferable so this should not be a surprise.  They are of course being rolled out across the whole of NZ. Perhaps the OP was seeing the system in some kind of test mode or similar?    

 

The Bluetooth travel times are only ever an approximate indication.  More accurate that ANPR (or at least were), although have a lower sample rate (every car has a registration plate, not every car has a Bluetooth device/activated).   It is also cheap and easy to install and run, and completely anonymous, so no privacy issues.  Travel time data along with traffic counts are used in traffic management and future road modelling and planning, trip time information is just a small but helpful bi-product.        

 

 

 

 





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davidcole
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  #1813030 5-Jul-2017 08:17
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sbiddle:

 

When they deployed the new fixed digital cameras in Wellington the positioning had nothing to do with speed or speeding but solely so they could be be used for average speed ticketing in the future.

 

The cameras at Karo Dr, SH2 at Thorndon, SH1 Ngauranga Gorge and SH2 Petone were all stragetically placed and I believe during initial testing were capturing every plate. I'm unsure what the current status is and whether this is still occuring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dont forget the 3 heading over to wainui,  Bottom of the hill, top of hill, and wainui road.





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sbiddle
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  #1813031 5-Jul-2017 08:19
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Bung: Any new technology never seems to be deployed further than a short drive from the traffic control base at Ngauranga.

Regarding the Bluetooth used to drive the current journey time signs, the collection points don't correspond exactly with the destinations. Wellington CBD is past the end of the Terrace tunnel, Airport is at the roundabout at the end of SH1.

 

Wgtn CBD is the Vivian St (technically still SH1) and Taranaki St intersection.

 

 


sbiddle
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  #1813033 5-Jul-2017 08:29
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scuwp:

 

Bung: Any new technology never seems to be deployed further than a short drive from the traffic control base at Ngauranga.

Regarding the Bluetooth used to drive the current journey time signs, the collection points don't correspond exactly with the destinations. Wellington CBD is past the end of the Terrace tunnel, Airport is at the roundabout at the end of SH1.

 

 

 

I would think it is reasonable while testing and trialling new technology that a convenient location that can give the system a good workout would be preferable so this should not be a surprise.  They are of course being rolled out across the whole of NZ. Perhaps the OP was seeing the system in some kind of test mode or similar?    

 

The Bluetooth travel times are only ever an approximate indication.  More accurate that ANPR (or at least were), although have a lower sample rate (every car has a registration plate, not every car has a Bluetooth device/activated).   It is also cheap and easy to install and run, and completely anonymous, so no privacy issues.  Travel time data along with traffic counts are used in traffic management and future road modelling and planning, trip time information is just a small but helpful bi-product.        

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem with the trip times is the data is heavily impacted by the $80 million disaster that is the Smart Motorway. Since each data input is weighted the fact two lanes are now stationary and two moving at 70-80km/h causes issues. Lots of people jump into the Johnsonville lanes and merge in before Ngauranga to avoid the ~12 - 15 minute delay every night between Aotea Quay and Ngauranga in the Hutt lanes so the data from them is contaminated and is not accurate. They can't discard it though as they can't easily identify these people.

 

 

 

 


tehgerbil
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  #1813036 5-Jul-2017 08:33
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Forgive my ignorance perhaps, but is it possible it uses the initial flash to focus and gather speed, and another to take a photo if deemed necessary?

 

 

 

Unless they have a fixed focus of course, in which case ignore me.


kryptonjohn
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  #1813040 5-Jul-2017 08:57
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Would have thought fixed focus as they always would want to snap the same spot?


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