We are getting the joy of roadworks to install "traffic management" between junctions 5 and 6 on the M25. As is the norm with the current culture, the speed cameras are being installed long before the works start. Again, as is the norm, we're getting SPECS to keep the traffic moving at an average speed (in theory).

At the M26 end of the works the first pair are installed (not functioning). This pair are mounted by the hard-shoulder , as normal, but are facing with the traffic instead of into it. The pair at the junction 6 end are installed in the more traditional way. (By pair I do mean two sets, not two on a bar.)

Has anyone else seen anything like this? Does anyone know of an "upgrade" to SPECS?

Rear capture cameras would negate the issue of our two-wheeled friends blasting through the roadworks with the usual regard for speed limits and The Law.

Maybe they're planning a contra-flow?

I had originally thought that, but they are mounted by the hard-shoulder, not where you'd have the traffic flowing, as it would have had to cross the other flow. They're in-line with the hard shoulder and lane 1. Contras are usually centrally mounted. (Easily changed when you reverse the contra-flow later in the works)

Rear facing average cameras while rare do exist I believe, fairly sure there are some up in the Peak District specifically aimed at bikes!

Looking at the manufacturers website their is still only the forward facing version.

http://www.vysionics.com/Specs

Even in contraflow, the cameras are mounted on the hard shoulder, they are just focused onto the lanes running the other way. This is the only easy place to get power to the camera, by generator or otherwise.

Perhaps they are faced round the wrong way to indicate they are not functioning, so as to not slow the traffic down yet?!

Or have they put the "Camera Not In Use" signs up.

Looking at the manufacturers website their is still only the forward facing version.

http://www.vysionics.com/Specs

Even in contraflow, the cameras are mounted on the hard shoulder, they are just focused onto the lanes running the other way. This is the only easy place to get power to the camera, by generator or otherwise.

Just looked at the installations tab on that website, and its showing SPECS on that section of motorway, install date 01:11:2012 , end date: 31:03:2015 , assuming thats the correct section.

Rear facing average cameras while rare do exist I believe, fairly sure there are some up in the Peak District specifically aimed at bikes!

Definitely exist, they're on the A537 Cat and Fiddle, between Buxton and Macclesfield, as most of the accidents on it involve bikes (it is officially Britain's most dangerous road)

Looking at the manufacturers website their is still only the forward facing version.

The link you posted states "Cameras can be installed in front or rear-facing orientation and violations can be recorded between multiple locations and multiple lanes within the system."

Edited 8 November, 201213 yr by ckyliu

Im quite sure the ones on the cat n fiddle have two cameras on the gantry one camera facing each way as its only single carriage way they are also on the A54 congleton road as well

Perhaps they are faced round the wrong way to indicate they are not functioning, so as to not slow the traffic down yet?!

Or have they put the "Camera Not In Use" signs up.

No "not in use" signs - why spoil the illusion? ;) Traffic has flowed better over the last couple of days though.

Just looked at the installations tab on that website, and its showing SPECS on that section of motorway, install date 01:11:2012 , end date: 31:03:2015 , assuming thats the correct section.

Yup, that's the one. That section is getting the speed control + hard shoulder thingy (MIDAS ?) Two years of roadworks really doesn't appeal to me, especially as there is no real viable "plan b" for getting to work. Am looking at renting a place closer to the office as we're getting busier anyway, so the roadworks add to the "pros" list

There seems to be a mix of front and rear cameras along that stretch now.