UK-based road technology company SEA has launched a new upgraded and eco-friendly version of its ROADflow Mobile traffic enforcement system at last week’s Parkex 2018 show in Coventry.
Part of the Cohort group, SEA has unveiled the new and flexible, zero emissions platform, which is based on a Citroën C-Zero vehicle housing the latest version of the company’s proven ROADflow system for traffic enforcement in problems areas such as bus lanes, schools, yellow box junctions, and restricted parking areas. There are currently 52 active ROADflow mobile enforcement systems operating throughout the UK. Besides introducing a ‘green’ vehicle, SEA has upgraded its mobile ROADflow system by: trebling the camera surveillance capability; using ruggedized tablet-based hardware; and improving the layout of the vehicle to enable greater flexibility and versatility in its use by ensuring minimal hardware intrusion into the luggage area. SEA believes it is the first supplier in the UK to offer a mobile system with enhanced tablet hardware.
The next-generation system also offers improved 4G communication links for secure transfer of data. The information captured can be transmitted in real-time or downloaded when the vehicle returns to the depot. As part of the system’s increased capability, it has been fitted with three pairs of color context and infrared cameras on both sides of the vehicle and at the rear to enhance the detection rate of infringements.
The system can be used in attended or unattended mode. In attended mode, a second operator is located in the vehicle, or the vehicle is parked so that the driver is free to operate the system. In unattended mode, the driver is not required to interact with the system when capturing evidence on the move. This mode enables the automatic detection of a possible offense within the enforcement zone or area; the system captures video and positional information on vehicles that are committing a probable offence.
SEA’s ROADflow technology is already employed by 51 local authorities across England to monitor road traffic offenses ranging from yellow box infringements to unauthorized maneuvers. New deployments have taken place in Bedford, and the ROADflow technology is now being used in Newcastle to detect offenses where vehicles encroach into bus lanes and areas reserved for buses outside schools. Other systems addressing bus stop infringements have now been commissioned in Derby and Plymouth. To ensure maximum effectiveness, SEA performs detailed modeling of each camera location before installation using camera-siting software developed in-house. This allows a full survey of any new site to be performed at the desktop, assessing which offenses can be detected, and allowing the optimal camera locations to be determined.
“Reducing carbon emissions in urban areas is high on every local authority’s agenda; we believe that using eco-friendly vehicles for detecting traffic infringements is an essential part of the future,” noted Jon Hargroves, SEA’s product and technical director. “We are delighted to unveil the latest upgrade to our mobile ROADflow system, increasing capability and making detection more effective by using the latest hardware solutions that will further improve the users’ ability to improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion.”
