Red Light or Gatso?

geddit · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2007 Posts: 47

Seriously, from the conversation re Dorset Council combining red light and gatso cameras in Poole, how will such things be handled in the database?
Will they now be classified as gatsos or will a new variant have to be generated with a new warning... "Warning, Gatso and Red Light Camera ahead".

Regards
Jay

Andy_P · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:46 pm Post subject:

They are called "Redspeed" cameras and there are already loads of them in the database.
Instead of going in the general "RedLight " file, they are included in the "Gatso" speed categories, so a Redspeed camera in a 30MPH zone will go in the Gatso30 category file.

As an example, here's a selection of cameras in the current "Gatso30" file:

GATSO:1214@30
GATSO:1215@30
TRUVELO:61580@30
TRUVELO:61581@30
MONITRON:20182@30
GATSO:61198@30
GATSO:2956@30
GATSO:61132@30
REDSPEED:14093@30
GATSO:2213@30

... so there are actually a lot of different camera types in the "Gatso" files!

Hope that clears it up.

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

DennisN · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

When they are identified as Redspeed, they are moved out of the Redlight category and into the Gatso (fixed, speed) category (new ones go directly into the fixed category). "Majority" opinion held the view that they'd be better in the fixed cameras category, as some people do not use the Redlight download. "Minority" opinion (me!) was to keep them in the Redlight category and always ensure you observe the speed limit. Last time it was discussed, it was not intended to create a new category, which would boost the database by an additional seven POIs. Note that the present database has only one category for all fixed cameras (excluding Specs average speed), irrespective of manufacturer type. Note also that our classification "Redspeed" is for a dual function camera and is NOT necessarily the camera manufactured by the Redspeed brandname company! Confused

The ones (not many) which I've verified have a couple of distinguishing features.
They're yellow, following speed camera guidance rules (for how much longer?).

They are Monitron type/shape/size (digital) and generally placed higher up than Gatsos (but then, so are all Monitrons).

They have road markings running through the light junction.

This last is the real identifier. There have been quite a few submissions of change from Redlight to Redspeed which were done presumably on the basis of the camera shape/type/colour. One on the Bristol Ring Road was changed to Redspeed, but one day I happened to be held up at the lights when a nice man was up a ladder at it, so I was able to roll down the window and ask him and he said it was only Redlight. It did not have road markings. And the road markings are what I personally use for confirmation of them.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

Well Dennis, FWIW I agree with you.
To my mind a red light camera is always a red light camera, and if it has a speed check that is just an extra function.
As for the road markings, I wonder if the usual dotted lines are always necessary when there are frequently other road markings at a junction that can be used for the same purpose.

DennisN · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:

I have a vested interest in Redlight cameras, because apart from a £2 parking fine in 1963, my only transgression was several years ago a red light which the Hofficer said I jumped. I said I didn't, but taking into consideration that I was a whitevanman and he was a Hofficer of the Law, I elected not to test our respective credibilities in court and surrendered and took £60 and the three points (which are long since aged away). Ruined a 40 year clean licence. Crying or Very sad

By road markings, I mean those little white lines at rightangles to your direction of travel, at specific intervals over about 20 yards (?) which they use to confirm your speed. I did once see mention of how many have to show between first and second photo, but it's way back beyond the range of my Dementia now. Don't worry, some Cleverclogs Southerner Softypants will jump in here in less time than a whatever and tell us. Wink

cjay2412 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 30, 2008 Posts: 102

would it not be better to have red speed cameras in both the redlight and gatso databases ?

M8TJT · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

If you have either of the "consolidated by type" or the "speed-zoned" sets of files installed, that would mean you got double warnings every time.

cjay2412 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 30, 2008 Posts: 102

but 1 warning would be for speed and the second redlight at present if a redlight camera doubles up as a speed camera the database dosen't warn you of its redlight capabilities unless i have mine set up wrong Sad

Andy_P · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:27 am Post subject:

True, but isn't the single warning that there's a camera ahead enough?
Combined with the big red traffic light of course! Laughing

I suppose it's always something you could do yourself if you wished, using one of the POI editing programs.

MaFt · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject:

if there were 2 poi's at exactly the same coordinates then which would take priority? which would sound the warning - gatso or redlight? which icon would show on the screen gatso or redlight? either way you would still just get 1 warning...

MaFt

GerryC · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

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