SA Transport Dept funds Adelaide Uni study into pop-up speed traps

Mobile point-to-point speed cameras could revolutionise SA traffic policing after the transport department signed up Adelaide uni to investigate bringing the machines in.

Authorities are investigating a new way to trap speeding motorists using mobile pods which can pop up anywhere to measure point-to-point speed.

The Transport Department has funded a University of Adelaide study showing the benefits of mobile versions of the fixed point-to-point cameras which have become a feature on SA roads.

Lead researcher Simon Raftery said the study had found: “The advent of mobile average speed systems that can be deployed across the rural road network has the potential to improve compliance and safety through more frequent and sustained enforcement activity virtually anywhere on the road network”.

“Enforcement in rural areas can be difficult due to the expanse of the road network and the limited resources available.

“While mobile P2P is yet to be used in any state or territory, it is likely to produce benefits similar to fixed P2P.”

Up to now the mobile units have been unproven as an effective tool but internationally they have been proven to cut speeds for up to 5km afterwards.

The cameras are considered fairer by motorists because sustained speed in punished not accidentally briefly being over the limit.

Because they can be towed and left on-site, they also require far fewer staff in remote areas when compared to mobile manned units.

The study quizzed SAPOL and Transport Department planners in the likely use of human resources.

Some of the devices surveyed as available on the market were space-age pods left at a roadside. These were almost impenetrable to vandals, and have safety devices such as alarms and CCTV recording included.

Other options being considered are trailers, cameras fitted to vehicles that are left unstaffed on site for 24 hours, and highly mobile cameras which are fitted to roadside polls but can be moved easily.

One of the models studied by researchers was the Vitronic “enforcement trailer”, comes in the form of a futuristic-looking pod, impenetrable to vandals. Others look similar to the LED road sign warning trainers currently used before roadworks.

In SA point-to-point fixed cameras were introduced in 2014 but in few areas. The state government has been asked to comment on the success of the review.

Authorities are focusing on the regional injury and death toll after crash statistics highlighted that city drivers in the country made up only half of the crash statistics.

SAPOL launched an advertisement campaign targeting country drivers after 49 fatalities occurred within regional areas this year up to September.

Of these 49 fatalities, 23 or 47 per cent of victims resided within the same police service area in which the collision occurred, or within 20kms of their home.