Cycling UK Forum

This has reminded me of Speedwatch of which I know nothing, other than what I've read online. The idea is that people who are concerned about speeding form a variation of neighbourhood watch devoted to dealing with speeding. The main thing being they use official police kit rather than something private.

https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Home.php

I'm always cautious about anything labelled "community" and this seems to imply it was more of a gimmick to occupy campaigners than anything else.

Reduction in police resources to coordinate Speedwatch volunteers and antiquated systems led to many volunteers becoming disillusioned, officers becoming overwhelmed and schemes disbanding. This led to the possibility of decreased public confidence amongst active citizens in communities who were willing to support the police but felt the police were not interested in them. Community Speedwatch was crying out for modernisation, effective technology, and coordination.

https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Police.php

I would say that if the authorities can't get behind this, it's hard to see "Speedcam Anywhere" faring any better.

It is available on Google play, with very bad reviews

My understanding of the way this works is similar in principle to VASCAR which was first used in England at least 50 years ago, but this is in your phone. One difference is that VASCAR is normally used over a longish length of road, partly to minimise the effect of human input. Speedcam Anywhere eliminates that human element but I'd be interested to know if the wheelbase of a car is sufficient distance for an accurate calculation of speed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VASCAR

In practical terms, this equipment seems to depend on too many planets being in alignment. It depends on a version of ANPR which in turn depends on clean, conforming reg plates and then on the registered keeper's details at the DVLA being correct, and in this case, the wheelbase of the vehicle being accurately recorded too.

I've thought about s 59 and imo if a vehicle was being used in an anti-social way, a mobile phone camera used to record the driver's antics would probably give the most useful evidence

thirdcrank wrote: 12 Apr 2022, 2:20pm My understanding of the way this works is similar in principle to VASCAR which was first used in England at least 50 years ago, but this is in your phone. One difference is that VASCAR is normally used over a longish length of road, partly to minimise the effect of human input. Speedcam Anywhere eliminates that human element but I'd be interested to know if the wheelbase of a car is sufficient distance for an accurate calculation of speed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VASCAR

In practical terms, this equipment seems to depend on too many planets being in alignment. It depends on a version of ANPR which in turn depends on clean, conforming reg plates and then on the registered keeper's details at the DVLA being correct, and in this case, the wheelbase of the vehicle being accurately recorded too.

I've thought about s 59 and imo if a vehicle was being used in an anti-social way, a mobile phone camera used to record the driver's antics would probably give the most useful evidence

Yes and I wonder what effect a slight movement of the phone would have when measuring over such a short distance.
There may also be some data protection issues about recording the reg numbers of privately owned vehicles.

If there is any movement in the phone then the app detects this and cancels the observation.

sjs wrote: 12 Apr 2022, 12:41pm It is available on Google play, with very bad reviews

The bad reviews seemed to mainly be problems with the verification code when you register. They claim to have sorted it & it worked OK for me just now. Not been out anywhere to try it out yet though.

rodking wrote: 11 Apr 2022, 8:18pm

Psamathe wrote: 11 Apr 2022, 4:04pm

rodking wrote: 11 Apr 2022, 3:43pm You can read how it works at https://www.20splenty.org/how_sca_works

This will also explain that HOTA isn't required for Section 59 offences where video evidence is already being used. All SCA does is automate the forensic analysis of a video to identify the time taken for a vehicle to move a set distance. In this case its wheelbase. The AI is used to identify the exact frame where the wheels pass a fixed point and uses the frame time stamp to show the time interval.

Its a really smart way to identify speed by means of the wheelbase being the distance rather than two fixed points on the ground.

I would assume it's complex to be adequately accurate as the app will need to make allowanced for viewing/recording the vehicle at an unspecified angle to its direction of movement (where the wheelbase will appear shorter due to the viewing angle (i.e. the vehicle will not be moving directly towards the phone). I wonder how reliable that estimate of viewing angke is and how much error the offset angle introduces.

Ian

If you read the "How it works" you will see that the angle between the car direction and line of sight is not important. This is because the rear wheel follows the front wheel and the difference in time is for the distance between front and rear wheels. This also makes it safer because the observer can be at an angle to the direction of travel (typically 45 degrees) rather than in a position that minimises the angle. (My bold.)

The bit I've highlighted isn't factually correct, in that for the app to work, the camera has to view the front or rear reg plate to identify the vehicle and the wheels to measure its speed. This is from Speedcam Anywhere's FAQs

Why have my captures failed to process or only given me speed estimates?

Speedcam Anywhere needs to be able to get a clear view of the whole vehicle passing across the screen. It needs to have a clear view of the wheels, and to get an accurate measurement, a clear view of the numberplate as the vehicle passes. Aim the camera at about 45 degrees across the road for best results. The phone must be held still for 2 seconds whilst the capture takes place. Do not pan the camera to follow the vehicle. Practice in Basic Mode before using more credits in Pro Mode.

Lower spec phone cameras, rain, bad light and being further away from the vehicle will reduce the likelihood of the capture succeeding. (My emphasis)

https://speedcamanywhere.com/#faq

rodking wrote: 12 Apr 2022, 9:33pm If there is any movement in the phone then the app detects this and cancels the observation.

Did you find that out by trying it?

RickH wrote: 14 Apr 2022, 12:48pm

sjs wrote: 12 Apr 2022, 12:41pm It is available on Google play, with very bad reviews

The bad reviews seemed to mainly be problems with the verification code when you register. They claim to have sorted it & it worked OK for me just now. Not been out anywhere to try it out yet though.

I saw comments about the access problem. Then something adverse about the payment and "credits" model.

Jonathan