Education not confrontation

Speed cameras are viewed by UK motorists as a cash generating source for the government and the police, obscuring their original aim to improve safety. Local authorities are seeking a more subtle approach to dealing with speeding drivers. Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has deployed the Watchman traffic-calming and speed detection system, based on education rather than confrontation. The system works in two stages. The first is a variable message sign, triggered by a traffic radar sensor, which warns motorists that they are exceeding the speed limit. The second stage is the camera unit that uses automatic number plate recognition and stores the vehicle's details, speed, date and time details. The frames can be printed out and sent with a warning letter to the motorists. Installation of the Watchman system has reduced accidents. Tameside Council is exceeding Government Best Value national performance targets for a 40% reduction in the number of adults killed or seriously injured by 2010. A new version of Watchman will feature improved picture quality and accuracy of speed measurement. The vandal-proof system can be remotely accessed by PC or dedicated monitoring station. The system can also be used for bus lane monitoring.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3831968
• Authors:
  • BARNARD, J
• Publication Date: 2005-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 36,39
• Serial:
  • Highways
  • Volume: 74
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Alad Limited
  • ISSN: 0142-6168
  • Serial URL: http://www.highways-mag.co.uk

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic vehicle identification; Continuous structures; Equipment; Intelligent transportation systems; Law enforcement; Local government agencies; Prevention; Safety; Speed; Speed limits; Surveillance; Variable message signs; Video cameras
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 8767: Automatic vehicle identification; 6750: Camera; 9006: Continuous; 1534: Enforcement (law); 3674: Equipment; 8735: Intelligent transport system; 192: Local authority; 1665: Safety; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit; 9101: Surveillance; 8119: United Kingdom; 574: Variable message sign
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01019720
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Mar 9 2006 8:10AM