The use of radar equipment for speed monitoring and enforcement by police is widespread. Nevertheless, radar often has the disadvantage of having a very local effect on speed. This is why a technique was developed, based on monitoring average speeds of individual vehicles on greater lengths of roads. The system consists of two small personal computers, which are linked by a radio communication set. The system is operated by two policemen situated several kilometres apart along a road. Both policemen observe traffic, and register the moment of passing of each vehicle, as well as the licence plate number. The system calculates average speeds on the basis of the distance between the two points and the time it took each car to travel this distance. In case of speeding, a message is given by the system. Offenders are stopped by a third policeman, if necessary. In this study a series of experimental projects has been performed in which the new system was compared with conventional radar equipment. Effectiveness was measured as speed reduction on a series of points along an 11 km road stretch. The new system appeared to be two to three times more effective as compared to radar equipment. (A)
Abstract