UK Testing VASIDs with Automatic Plate Recognition and Display
18 July 2008
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| The VASID with ANPR will flash the license plate number of speeding vehicles. Click to enlarge. |
The Highways Agency in the UK is testing new Vehicle Activated Speed Indicator Devices (VASIDs) on the A12 highway for seven weeks. The system includes a large trailer-mounted variable message sign (VMS) and remote speed and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) detection units.
When fully operational, the system will flash the license plate numbers of vehicles that are exceeding the speed limit as a visual reminder to the drivers to slow down.
The detection units are positioned over adjacent lanes of the A12 on a cantilever arm, mounted on top of a tall mast in the verge. Detection units will be positioned about 250 meters before the VMS, at the VMS and about 250 meters after the VMS.
We are investigating whether the system has an effect on the behavior of drivers. We will assess the vehicle speed data and look at what impact the messages had on drivers and how well the technology worked with live traffic. This is the first time that we have been able to bring these components together on a live road to measure the speed of vehicles in several adjacent lanes and advise those driving at the highest speeds that they need to slow down. Existing vehicle activated systems used on the Highways Agency network only show the speed limit sign, but do not show the vehicle number plate.
—Mark Pooley, Highways Agency project sponsor
The VASID system was set up on 17 July 2008 (week one). During week one, no messages will be displayed on the sign but the system will be monitoring vehicle speeds. During week two if it picks up a vehicle exceeding the limit, the sign will display the National Speed Limit sign with the message “SLOW DOWN”.
From weeks three to six the speed and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) detection units will detect the number plate of a vehicle exceeding the limit and will display the National Speed Limit sign with the message “SLOW DOWN” and the vehicle registration number.
It is anticipated that during week seven, the equipment will be removed.
None of the data gathered by the Agency during the on road trial will be used for enforcement purposes. The VASID equipment system does not record any personal data, and therefore complies with the Data Protection Act.
The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport and is responsible for motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
In the name of safety we are willingly giving big brother everything he wants. Due to 'revenue' shortfalls in the government my state is currently installing 1,100 cameras to monitor you at every turn.
The remains of Eric Arthur Blair are stroking out!!!
Posted by: pxsteel | 18 July 2008 at 10:04 AM
It's about time that highway cowboys be identified.
How I wished that noisy (above 65 dbA) modified vehicles could be automatically identifed and taken off our streets and roads until they are fixed.
Future BEVs may fix that annoying problem by 2030+ but I may not be around to enjoy it.
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 July 2008 at 10:58 AM
A very long time ago I had to drive by a sign like this every now and then. I considered it more a challenge than a warning though: make the sign blink! I bet others did the same, or (perhaps better) ignored it completely. Perhaps the reason it was eventually removed was that it truly was ineffective, at least over a long term.
"We are investigating whether the system has an effect on the behavior of drivers."
http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/EC.html
There have probably been other studies along these lines. But I guess none of those were personalized with the plate. Maybe the next phase of this experiment would be to do database lookups and address driver with a more intimate message:
"Fred Garklumph of 42 Terraceview Crescent, divorced father of 2, annual income $43,209! You are speeding. My God! SPEEDING! Please slow down. Do it for the innocent children!"
For added effect, you could have a tilt/pan tracking camera zoom in on the drivers face.
Posted by: mdf | 18 July 2008 at 11:10 AM
Undoubtedly, it's past time for the revolution in Britain.
Posted by: Matthew | 18 July 2008 at 11:53 AM
This kind of stuff along with punishing retroactive vehicle excise duty (road tax) on normal family cars is going to push more and more people to cloned/false number plates.
Posted by: Andy | 18 July 2008 at 11:58 AM
There used to be a couple signs like this is my town - it was common for the high school students to floor it past the sign to see how fast they could get the sign to read... talking 90+ on a 40mph road.
Even the more mature drivers do stupid things like dangerously slam on their breaks to get down to the speed limit... just as people do while passing a cop. It's important to note that there is a LOT more to driving safety than driving at the posted speed limit.
Posted by: qweqwe | 18 July 2008 at 12:00 PM
Isn't the obvious point here to deliver an implicit threat? We know who you are, we know you're breaking the law, and it is only through our generous forbearance that we're letting you get off with just a warning. But our patience is limited, and if things keep on as they have been, the velvet glove will come off.
Posted by: Hal | 18 July 2008 at 12:37 PM
Some of the major highways in Australia use this, but without the number plate recognition.
The speed limit is 110km/h, but to stop speeding idiots deliberately trying to push the displayed speed as high as they can, the maximum speed displayed is only 117km/h, so there is no "I can go faster than you" bragging opportunity.
Posted by: | 18 July 2008 at 06:32 PM
This wouldn't work in America, poll 1000 drivers. How many of them actually know their license plate numbers, id bet it would be less than 10%
Posted by: eliot | 19 July 2008 at 09:31 AM
However, it would remind them of their license plate numbers very quickly. This is an interesting use of imaging and pattern recognition. We have speed devices that show you your speed as you approach a school zone. I think that they are very effective for those that want to obey the laws. For the others, there are more serious means of motivating good citizen behavior and cooperation with the laws. We are talking about human lives at stake and any discussion of freedoms or liberties does not justify the killing of a child by a speeding car.
Posted by: sjc | 19 July 2008 at 01:11 PM
car hiring is certainly becoming more and more attractive these days…why own a car with all the hassle when you can rent a car and see the world!
Posted by: Car Rental UK | 21 July 2008 at 01:30 AM