Amphometer Based Speed Cameras

[Sydneykid]

A quick update............

I requested confirmation from the manufacturers of the Condor equipment as to the accuracy of the equipement under certain circumstances. I subsequently received a reply citing commercial secrecy agreements as the reason why they can not supply this information. It would thus seem likely to me that the Governments they have sold equipment to, do not want the information becoming available to the general public.

More information as it becomes available.

[predator]

Just use Freedom of Information Act to get that information outta them..

next alternative is just to go the media.. they'll soon cough up.

[Guest INASNT]

did anyone watch today tonight yesterday??

there was a guy on there that went to court and proved that laser speed guns are not accurate. He got chased by a copper after they thought he was doing 79 in a 60 zone which they detected from 295 metres away. When he went to court he proved there was no way that they could even tell what his car was at that distance or accurately determine the speed of his car because at 300 metres the laser is over 1 metre in diameter and the accuracy goes out the window, plus the cops would need a better scope than what is on the speed camera to identify what car he was driving from that range.

[Sydneykid]

Hi Guys, I have had a few questions asked, some a number of times. so I will try and answer then all in one go....

The best place to start for information is the Poltech website, the amphometer based equipment is called Condor.

http://www.poltech.com.au/

There is a downloadable PDF on Condor equipment that is also useful.

Identification is pretty easy really. They have a large greyish white box mounted on a pole and generally separately on another pole a flash unit. The main control unit contains the data logic equipment, a multi lens digital camera and a modem for transmitting the digital photos.

For speed detection there are three piezo sensors embedded in the road surface for each lane of traffic. In appearance they are not dissimilar to the current detection strips for traffic lights.

The give away is that they are located just past the camera box, within easy shot.

So the unit is basically maintenance free, no radar to calibrate, no laser lens to align etc. The infringement photos and data are transmitted to the processing bureau and once again it is a hands off operation. They have automatic scanning equipment which can read the number plate, identify the registered owner and send an infringement notice in the mail.

So it is entirely possible that you will receive an infringement notice in the mail that has never been seen by any person other than yourself. Keeping in mind the totally human free nature of this system it is a fantastic revenue raiser. All at much lower cost than a manned unit with manual infringement processing.

The very first suggestion to anyone receiving such an infringement would be to request a photo. Many times, once the photo is seen by someone it becomes obvious that the infringement notice is invalid. The most common is multiple vehicles in one lane and lane changing over the strip. This makes the accuracy of the piezo sensors suspect in this type of situation. I believe that a vehicle not contacting the strips at right angles is also an issue, due to the testing processes I have carried out. Even more credence is given to this by Poltech's refusal to provide accuracy data for these circumstances.

Once rubber strip amphometers were believed to be 100% accurate, this was disproved

Once radar was believed to be 100% accurate, this was disproved

Then laser was believed to be 100% accurate, this was also disproved

Now it is time to prove embedded piezo sensor are also just as inaccurate.

Publicity helps, so over to you guys, spread the word.

[Mick Trainer]

Please check your PM.