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Traffic Cameras Explained |
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Tuesday, 03 April 2007 |
I had the privilege of taking a tour of the traffic control center today with one of my college classes. I learned a lot, and I felt it was worth sharing. Some of this information may be new to you, so read through! It might keep you from getting a ticket!
Types of Cameras:
There are evidently three types of cameras that cities and states use to monitor traffic. One type of camera is the kind that you see mounted on top of the signal poles. According to my guide, these cameras can not see your face, or your license plates. Therefore, you can't get a ticket from running a red light when one of these is around.
Alongside that type of camera, they have PTZ cameras mounted here and there on poles so that they can get a good view of trouble intersections in the event of a wreck. Being digital, I suspect these cameras could be used to see your face or your plates, but I don't think that they would use them for this, as they only have one man monitoring the camera at all times with no automation except movement programmed into these cameras.
Finally, there is the red light cam. These are the high-speed cameras that are used to catch red light runners. They shoot so fast that they manage to get your license plates, if not your face. There is usually one behind the light, as well as one in front, and they are usually mounted on their own units. Be careful around these.
Other tidbits:
The center itself was amazing! They have the cameras displayed on 20 or so monitors, with a plasma in the middle. The plasma, alongside 5 or 6 LCD desktop monitors are used to control various aspects of the system. Contrary to popular belief, you can not switch all of the lights to red or green as they did in "The Italian Job." The entire network of stoplights are all on basically 1 line operating at the slow speed of 1.2 kbps. Each light is triple backed-up, as it itself is programmed, as is the controller box, and finally the box at the control center. Many cities are saving electricity now by replacing the regular bulb type lights with LED arrays, which last 8-10 times more (the bulbs only last a year), and use far less electricity.
All in all, this was a very interesting experience and I really enjoyed it. If you ever get the chance to take a tour of such a place, take it! It is worth your time!
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