Cameras on the M4 around Reading

[actech]

I was driving down the M4 yesterday back from Gloucestershire towards the M25 and noticed that on a few of the bridges there are what look like cameras. They do not hang over every lane or bridge but are spread about. They have a center module with a pod either side. From J18(ish) to about the M25 junction there were about 6 of them.

Does anyone know if these are SPECs or similar speed (safety) cameras or some other traffic monitoring device?

[plotloss]

I've not seen them myself but a friend who works in the motor trade who travels around Reading quite frequently tells me that they are the new TrafficMaster sensors.

Not sure how accurate this is though.

Matt.

[richb]

I assume you mean the navy blue ones that look like mini-TV screens hanging off the over-bridges and mounted up on posts facing both directions? There are quite a few of these around the M4/A404M/M40 area. I have always been told these are indeed for the Traffic-master system and, as I have not received a ticket via any of them, even whilst "making progress" I assume it must be correct. R...

[actech]

I can't remember the colour as the shock of seeing something unfamiliar hanging off a bridge was at the forefront of my mind! They might have been blue but I think there were some grey ones too! Don't quote me on that though!

[pbrettle]

Am I imagining things or does the law in England (not sure about Scotland, Wales or NI) stipulate that there has to be fair warning of speed cameras on motorways.

I seem to remember something about the government getting special dispensation to put the cameras on the M25 Heathrow section. They can put them on normal roads with signs and have travelling ones, but motorway cameras are a no-no.... well thats what I remember anyway.... could I be wrong?

As for a speed camera anyway - they would need to have signs, right? Mind you I know of several people that have mistaken the TrafficMaster sensors / transmittors as speed cameras. Thought it was people being daft, but it seems that it isnt.....

Cheers,

Paul

[BarkingMad]

I think you'll find that the devices you describe are nothing to do with the Trafficmaster system.

Although it's not exactly advertised in the press, they seem to be part of a country-wide system for monitoring vehicle movement using number plate recognition. It's probably part of some kind of covert 'Big Brother' surveillance system, possibly anti-terrorist, but it's impossible to be sure. I'd also guess that such a system could be extended to monitor average journey times, etc. Be very afraid...

Updated: Is it these, by any chance? www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/police205.htm


>> Edited by BarkingMad on Tuesday 7th May 18:18

[actech]

quote:

Updated: Is it these, by any chance? www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/police205.htm

They look similar from what I remember.

After I slowed down below 70 (in case they were SPECs), most of the other traffic was speeding past me at 85-90+ so I assumed they were not speed cameras. But as it was Bank Holiday weekend and the chance of drivers unfamiliar with the stretch of road (i.e. Me!) who hadn't noticed them was higher I didn't want to risk it. If it was a usual week day with more commuters on it I probably wouldn't be so paranoid!

It's a good conspiracy theory though, that we are being tracked around the country. I remember when the TrafficMaster poles started going up there was a theory that the sensors were also cameras that could track traffic around the country, collect driving habits, popular routes etc.

[BarkingMad]

I don't think there's anything particularly difficult about installing a nationwide number-plate recognition system. The technology is pretty mature by now and I'd guess that the issue is more a question of cash than any desire on the part of the authorities towards preserving our rapidly diminishing levels of privacy. Don't forget that the UK has been subject to terrorism for a few decades now and there are sure to be a number of covert surveillance systems out there.

Yes, there have been a number of conspiracy theories about the Trafficmaster system but I'd hazard a guess that the authorities already have their own sources of surveillance info and don't really need to tap into Trafficmaster. I think it's also quite telling that if a plc has implemented a nationwide number-plate recogniton system of its own, when cost really is a major factor, just think what could be achieved with the almost limitless financial resources of the state.

[steve harrison]

Well, it's a fact that the recent font change on number plates is to make optical character recognition more reliable (as communicated to me by someone who worked on the software)

[plotloss]

quote:
Well, it's a fact that the recent font change on number plates is to make optical character recognition more reliable (as communicated to me by someone who worked on the software)

Absolutely, hence the clampdown on non standard plates/spacings/fonts.

Matt.

[Stig]

All the more reason to ride a bike!

[JonRB]

quote:Well, it's a fact that the recent font change on number plates is to make optical character recognition more reliable

I'd always assumed that was the reason. Nice to hear confirmation.

[plotloss]

quote:
All the more reason to ride a bike!

Or get a peasant to steal your front numberplate!

Matt.

[Madcop]

quote:
I can't remember the colour as the shock of seeing something unfamiliar hanging off a bridge was at the forefront of my mind! They might have been blue but I think there were some grey ones too! Don't quote me on that though!

I think you will all find that you are safe on the M4 from at least Hungerford to Heathrow. They are Traffic master sensors. The Only unfamilier blue thing likely to be hanging off an M4 bridge at the moment is a traffic cop after reading the latest pay and condition proposals from Blunket. Why do we have a blind Home Sec? He cant see the wood for the trees!!