New cameras to catch errant drivers on the cards

[User12343]

ST 26/7

 

YOU can run, but you can't hide. Street cameras will soon be taking pictures of motorists who stray into bus lanes, park illegally, make illegal modifications to their vehicles, or stop or drive where they shouldn't.

 

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is sourcing for camera technology that will capture all these violations.

 

It is paying three companies - security firm Cisco Security, computer systems group NCS and electronics specialist ST Electronics - about $800,000 to run two trials on intelligent surveillance systems to see how effective they are in enforcing the rules under LTA's purview.

 

Some cameras have already been fitted on SBS buses as part of these trials.

 

Enforcement of road regulations is now done by a limited number of LTA officers on motorcycles and outsourced wardens.

 

But street cameras - handheld or mounted on vehicles or kerb-side - can do the job tirelessly and, possibly, more efficiently.

 

Mr David Chew, executive chairman of Stratech Systems, which bid unsuccessfully to conduct the two trials, said there had been 'several' tenders for camera systems.

 

Besides the trials, the LTA had also invited vendors to provide information on 'mobile devices for enforcement and maintenance services'. Stratech was among those that responded.

 

Mr Chew, 49, said his company's intelligent vehicle-access control systems, which can check vehicles seeking entry into secure facilities or at border checkpoints, are already in use in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

 

An LTA spokesman said the authority was looking for technology that could provide portable functions, such as 'real-time availability of vehicle records or a digital camera to capture on-site images'.

 

Sources said this capability would enable the LTA to crack down on those who drive deregistered or unregistered cars.

 

But a top priority for the mobile-camera trials is the enforcement of bus-lane hours, The Straits Times understands.

 

Previous cameras on buses, introduced in the 1990s, proved unreliable, which is why wardens now do the job.

 

But with more full-day bus lanes being rolled out, cameras will be more cost-effective. SBS buses have been spotted with the new cameras, which have been taking digital pictures of offenders.

 

An informed source said: 'When a bus driver spots an errant motorist in the bus lane, he presses a button located on his right. This marks the spot where the footage was taken. The date and time are stamped.'

 

The previous system was not as high-tech and user-friendly.

 

Full-day bus lanes, which are off limits to other vehicles between 7.30am and 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays, are operational in Orchard Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Hill Street, Victoria Street, Bras Basah Road and Somerset Road.

 

The LTA is looking for camera systems that are robust and versatile. In one trial, it specified that the system must be able to capture vehicles weaving between lanes as well as speedsters exceeding 150kmh.

 

It should also be able to read all types of number plates - even off-peak plates, illegal reflective plates and broken and foreign ones.

 

New camera systems aside, the LTA is installing more J-Eyes - cameras that monitor traffic conditions at road junctions, but which can also be used for enforcement purposes. There are 132 in use now, and another 129 will be up by February next year.

 

At least one motorist welcomes these electronic eyes. Lawyer Vijai Parwani, 40, said: 'It will definitely encourage people to put on their best behaviour on the road, which I suppose is a good thing.'

[Furrynadz]

well done

so now who can catch buses who play double leapfrog and end up right smack in the middle of orchard road doing double overtaking

 

must give these bus-tards a taste of own medicine

[Boxster]

How about something to nab some road hoggers?

[Vicz]

Ya...but dont know whether they will penalise buses though...i think bus drivers are also drivers so they should subject to equal treatment. Buses nowadays think that with that sticker asking other motorists to give way means they have right of way. Many (if not all) always just come out without considering other motorists...most of the time, i have to jam brake... i'd like to let their company know that this sticker is not an immunity or a talisman.

[Watwheels]

If I cycle on the bus lane how ah? Cycle slowly...wave at camera , wave at bus driver . See how effect is the expensive system.

 

IMO they should spend more money catching drink drivers instead.

[Newbie89]

ya ya. agree totally.

these bus-tards are really incorrigible. Like some taxi drivers...

[Symantec9]

sounds like the James Bond moive ... damn high tech one ... reflective plate aso canot siam ... zig zag also can catch ... supersonic speed aso no horse run ... wah ... very ... after implemant ... our road will be numer one safe in the world

[Seanboi]

But with more full-day bus lanes being rolled out, cameras will be more cost-effective.

 

Of cuz la.. their revenue oso from offenders wad..

 

Ya if cycle into bus lane den cycle slowly wave at the warden and camera.

 

I dun tink they will be spending any $ to curb down drink driving as well as handphone driving. Lots of campaigns were conducted for drink driving but it seems like they werent effective.

[Apollo]

aiya... must look at the latest Nokia model

 

can take and mms str8 to the offending motorist cc to lta

 

swee boh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this one

 

[inline index.jpg]

 

buy 1 dozen i throw in a 256kb sdram free

[Hamburger]

drivers staying at pasir ris will know bus cums out of their bay regardless of the on comin vehicle n expect u to give way.So for me,I tend not to give way to them.1 2 filter out,go ask LTA to draw more bus lane.

[Iceshelterx]

Wah lau brother... you nokia technology so high tech sia... even better than starwars technology.

[Apollo]

if u interested, i'll throw in the lubber band free also.

 

this lubber make in malaysia, confirm is boleh one.

[Aucsl]

saw this along the pasir panjang rd. Is this one of them

 

Edited July 27, 2007 by Aucsl

[Jiver]

Memory confirm enuf or not?? 256 KB not MB mey?? hee hee Like tat take one pic only. Cannot miss.