Average Speed Trapping

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milomak

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Recently rode through the KZN. Saw a sign saying average speed enforcement was in play. How exactly are they doing that?
 
I believe... They have two cameras spaced several km's apart, using NPR (Number Plate Recognition) tech. They then use the date-stamp from both cameras to see if your average speed (when you pass the second camera) has been higher than the speed limit. I remember them trialing this between PMB and DBN a few years ago. From what you are saying, it sounds like its now active all the time?
 
ShadowEn said:
I believe... They have two cameras spaced several km's apart, using NPR (Number Plate Recognition) tech. They then use the date-stamp from both cameras to see if your average speed (when you pass the second camera) has been higher than the speed limit. I remember them trialing this between PMB and DBN a few years ago. From what you are saying, it sounds like its now active all the time?
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Indeed it is - in the KZN midlands and now between PMB and DBN.
 
In JHB just drive without number plates because the Metro pigs are lazy :D
 
hawker said:
Or just drive the speed limit?

Now there is a novel idea!
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The intention was to mock the Metro because they really are lazy. AST is probably the best way to curb speeding and will probably reduce accidents. I doubt they'll ever introduce it in JHB because their focus is making money instead of reducing accidents and the amount of reckless drivers.
 
Interesting system, I wonder what the error rate would be on this. Although it does make more sense than a single point speed trap, I am concerned about the accuracy for it. It should force people to slow down for the entire metered stretch of road, very handy at high incident places such as schools, residential areas, high volume pedestrian crossings. I will make no sense in the middle of a desert though.
 
Last week they errected warning signs on the N3 between Durban and PMB in both directions, so if they are not operational as yet they will be soon. Looked out for the cameras but haven't spotted them yet, as I drive the route daily.

They definately are operational north of PMB in the Balgowan area, where there is a 100km/h limit imposed. A colleague has a fine sitting on his desk to prove it.
 
They had a trial period end of 2008 I think it was, the cameras are hanging under the bridges ( the ones that are left ) most of the cameras between Durban and Pmb. where vandalised and it was only for a certain stretch of road think it was Pmb. to Camperdown saw this weekend that the signs are back up, travel the road a few times a week will have a look and see if the cameras are back up.
 
kayvee said:
a 100km/h limit imposed. A colleague has a fine sitting on his desk to prove it.
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I applaud him for his rigourous Empirical Research. :)

MFour said:
I am concerned about the accuracy for it.
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Its pretty solid afaik. The algo is likely to be a ANN w/ backpropagation. If correctly set up + good camera it should be near bullet proof. The one thing that makes it a bit sketchy is the different plate designs per province. The ANNs don't particularly like stuff like that, but should still cope.

I know there is a commercial demo room for this tech along the N1 somewhere in midrand. An acquaintance of mine went to for business & said its pretty impressive.
 
gregmcc said:
Just pull over for 5 mins and then you can do 140 again :)
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Actually, that is sad. I am a Police Reservist and I have seen what happens when you go 140km/h and smack into a concrete barrier because people think that bluffing the Police is smart...
But it ain't.
 
gregmcc said:
Just pull over for 5 mins and then you can do 140 again :)
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somewhere in europe where they implement this (maybe italy) apparently it is common to find sports cars parked along the road waiting to meet their time. someone suggested that they may even barbecue. i suspect this last bit was just to add spice to the story.
 
HavocXphere said:
I applaud him for his rigourous Empirical Research. :)


Its pretty solid afaik. The algo is likely to be a ANN w/ backpropagation. If correctly set up + good camera it should be near bullet proof. The one thing that makes it a bit sketchy is the different plate designs per province. The ANNs don't particularly like stuff like that, but should still cope.

I know there is a commercial demo room for this tech along the N1 somewhere in midrand. An acquaintance of mine went to for business & said its pretty impressive.
Click to expand...

Ah ok cool. Let's hope the all the different plate designs can be picked up correctly, except CT plates of course :p
 
So yesterday evening and this morning I made a conscious effort to rise above the semi-comatose state I am normally in driving the Dbn/Pmb route daily and have identified the cameras on bridges.

They are rather inconspicuous, mounted on smallish white plates on the the bridges. The two I saw were southbound carriageway at the Ashbutron bridge, and another on the Durban side Camperdown bridge, co-incidentally exactly where the trial was run a few years back. They are not mounted under the bridge where you can see the silhouette, rather on the other side facing your rear plates as you head towards Durban. Interesting.

With the number of inconsiderate truck drivers on the N3, it is almost impossible to exceed the average speed limit on that stretch anyway. It's about time they widened it to 3 lanes.
 
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