With speed continuing to be a contributing factor to many UK road accidents, Manchester-based supplier of LED-integrated transport management equipment and signs, TWM Traffic Control Systems, has launched a new camera that can record both the speed and registration plate of a vehicle in one compact unit.
Suitable for roads where there has been a history of fatal or serious crashes, or where non-compliance with the speed limit is an identified problem, TWM’s new Captis Smart Speed system is easy to set up, does not require software, and due to the high resolution of the camera, it boasts impressive accuracy. As well as being able to capture both regular plates, it can also capture challenging plates such as those with half-height and stacked characters. Captis Smart Speed uses uncompressed HD (high-definition) video for a high-accuracy ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) system. Upon successfully capturing a number plate, the camera transmits the ALPR data along with a plate image (black and white) and full color photo of the vehicle to TWM’s Easy Connect Controller (ECC) via TCP/IP connection.
Once the data is received, the current speed from the K-Band Doppler (24GHz) radar is logged and both the ALPR images and vehicle speed are saved into the local database. The K-Band Doppler radar tracks oncoming vehicles accessing and egressing through a planned detection zone at a range of up to 656 feet (200m). When the vehicle has left the detection zone, the radar sends the event information, including entry speed, peak speed, exit speed and average speed information, to the ECC via serial communication. The data is then merged, and the information is saved to the local database.
Captis Smart Speed is available as a static or mobile unit and can be operated by 230V mains voltage, battery or solar power. In addition, it can be linked to WiFi and TWM’s EEC web-based interface. Alternatively, in the future, the system will be able to operate remotely via GSM through TWM’s CMS system and this will also include user defined alert notifications. The unit is also compatible with any of TWM’s radar-activated signs.
“Since around 2000, there has been a boom in the use of speed cameras in the UK as studies show they are effective at reducing the number of accidents and road deaths. Not only do speed cameras help remind drivers of the importance of speed limits and the penalties for being caught speeding, they can help reduce the number of collisions, serious injuries and save lives,” said TWM’s company director, Kevin Marshall. “We are delighted to unveil this latest speed camera and are proud of its latest technology. We are certain it will become a key contributor to road safety.”
