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What you need to know how automated enforcement units work!

RED LIGHT CAMERA DEVICES
There are various Red Light Camera manufacturers and models, but no matter who made it, the equipments main objective is to photograph a driver who runs a red signal.

There are currently two types of Red Light Cameras manufactured: digital and "wet film" automated enforcement units. Wet film cameras are said to produce clearer picture resolution, resulting in a stronger case for the law enforcement/the prosecution. There is only one manufacturer still making wet film cameras and the bottom line is that these cameras actually cost more money because a person has to attend to the changing of film each and every day. Most of the Red Light Camera companies have switched over to digital cameras, citing fairly equal photograph clarity and lower cost of operation. With a digital camera, once the images are backed up onto a hard drive the digital images are erased and the camera is reset electronically.

A Red Light Camera unit is somewhat complicated, however, the concept is rather simple. The Red Light Camera is triggered by a vehicle passing over sensors built into the road above a preset minimum speed and within a specified time after the signal has turned red. Typically, a second photograph is taken to show the offending vehicle in the intersection. Vehicles driven less than the minimum speed are not photographed, thereby assuring drivers executing turns or stopping in intersections on yellow or green signals are not cited. The citation images taken by the camera include the exact time of the first photo, the length of the yellow and the exact time of the second photo, shot at the moment that the light turns red.

If a driver meets the assigned requirements, the device will record the date, time, speed of the vehicle, license plate and citation number. In most programs, police officers or other government officials review each citation to verify vehicle data and ensure that the vehicle is in violation. After the review process, citations are typically mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

About $55,000 per unit, Red Light Cameras can cost as much as $220,000 per intersection. Since the technology of Red Light Cameras is somewhat complicated, most local governments contract with vendors to provide, install and maintain the equipment and provide citation-processing services. Most vendors are compensated on a per-ticket basis. As you might imagine, critics contend that a per-ticket fee arrangement makes it more likely that vendors will manipulate the operation of the Red Light Camera to generate profits.

If you're interested in learning more about the technology of Red Light Cameras, How Stuff Works.com has a detailed description including an excellent animated graphic showing you how the typical Red Light Camera unit operates.

PHOTO RADAR (Automated Enforcement)
Photo Radar is actually a combination of radio waves, a computer and a 35mm camera. The narrow radar signal is projected across the roadway. When a vehicle passes through it, the speed is recorded and if the vehicle is speeding the computer signals the camera to take a photograph of it. Because the radar signal projected across the road is narrow, the radar is considered very accurate. Information pertaining to a violation is superimposed on the photograph.

This information includes the speed, date and time of the offence, the location, the operator ID, and other information unique to that photo. This and other information is stored on a memory card which is downloaded into a computer. The photographs are developed, the vehicle's registered owner which is identified through DMV records, and a traffic citation is mailed to the driver's address.


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