How do Traffic Cameras work?
There are a few different types of traffic cameras in use today. One type of traffic camera only focuses on traffic patterns and traffic density for citizens and law enforcement personnel. The other type of traffic camera is placed in locations where traffic infractions commonly occur to capture those incidents and record the details for punitive purposes.
Cameras for Traffic Monitoring
Cameras for traffic monitoring are placed in locations where there are complex intersections, traffic congestion, or locations with regular weather hazards. The cameras used are digital cameras that transmit low resolution pictures from a pole, boom, or pilar usually about 30 feet or more above the location.
Some of these cameras have Internet connectivity, and display their output for public review of traffic conditions. Many country and some state governments in the USA provide websites where you can search for cameras in your area to check weather and other travelling considerations. A public front end for finding cameras in many geographic regions can be found here.
There have been cases where cameras of this type have been used by law enforcement to monitor the movements of specific individuals who have broken the law and are trying to escape using automobiles. Although these cameras don't generally have a point of view that identifies vehicles by license plates, other distinguishing characteristics such as model, make and color of the vehicle are easily identified.
Punitive Cameras
Punitive cameras are used by law enforcement agencies to automate part of the process used to ticket and fine motorists that are disregarding regulations and break the law.
These cameras are activated based on a special event, such as a motorist entering an intersection when the lights are red, or the vehicle is clocked at excessive speed by radar or ladar systems mounted in or near the camera system. At this point the camera uses sophisticated software to take pictures of the areas on a vehicle that contain a license plate.
The data is then transmitted to the law enforcement agency electronically for processing. Usually the offender will receive a letter from the law enforcement agency through postal mail containing a ticket, the fine levied, and the picture taken during the illegal or offensive activity.
There is some question to the legality and validity of using this method to penalize motorists in the United States, but traffic cameras are still being used in this manner in many jurisdictictions.
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