Cameras or detectors?
April 18th, 2009
After I posted about the new lights coming on Union Ave. these camera-looking things appeared. There seems to be debate about the newly installed equipment. I’m not sure if these are detectors to help regulate the light changes or as one person suggested, cameras to get your license plate. The town would have to be anticipating enough problems at this light enough to have cameras to identify cars breeze through red lights, etc.. I’m guessing they are detectors of some sort, but those are usually in the pavement and these do look an awful lot like cameras. Hmmm…
Same thing at the new lights at Potter/Elm. Big brother is watching…
Comment by Bill Greenberg - Good Computer Guy — April 18, 2009 @ 10:46 am
They’re just part of the traffic flow management system. They watch for motion if cars driving under or stopping at the intersection and help automatically change the lights to account for traffic patterns. Pretty standard issue these days. Cheaper and easier to install and maintain than the old magnetic sensors under the roads, and often more reliable.
Red-light cameras are usually posted on the side of the road to get a better angle and view. Plus they’re usually designed to snap apicture of someone -in- the intersection, with the traffic light in the frame as well so that it can be proven that the light was red at the time. Posted on top of the traffic light like that they’d be hard pressed to get a picture of the light itself as well as a legible plate.
Comment by Chad — April 18, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Its all about recording you plate number time and place. Traffic managment ? You are tagged at that spot and later they can prove it.
Comment by markie — April 18, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
It seems to be standard practice now for new traffic light installation. They just put in the same system with the new Potter/Elm light.
Comment by Krista — April 19, 2009 @ 7:07 am
Chad, you didn’t read the explanation provided by Bill before deciding you know it all. There needs to be proof of the infraction, so tell me how you think using these cameras will also show the red light a person goes through. It is obviously for traffic flow management and nothing more. So I suggest you stop going through red lights!
Comment by Keith — April 21, 2009 @ 11:23 am
They are the same model installed in other places
ie. here: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/archive/x2032138523/Camera-to-keep-an-eye-on-Rte-9-traffic-lights
They can be used to do more than control signal changes.
Comment by jon — April 21, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Does anyone know how much this costs
Comment by Rorkey — April 22, 2009 @ 4:56 am
I’m pretty sure the reason you don’t see red light cameras in MA is because the infraction needs to be witnessed by an actual person for you to be ticketed.
Probably the same reason why the Turnpike Authority doesn’t/can’t ticket you for speeding based on your entry/exit times.
Comment by Martin O'B — April 26, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
Just one more waste of framingham tax payers money. There is no need for these camaras. This is not London. This is a complete waste of money.
Comment by Jeff — May 5, 2009 @ 9:04 pm