Breaking Down the Ins and Outs of Point-to-Point Speed Enforcement
Traffic management on busy roadways is a complex task requiring creative tools to empower law enforcement and public policy makers. There are numerous factors to consider when it comes to holistic traffic enforcement, and among the most pressing is speeding.
While some would argue speeding is relatively normalized behavior, it is an exceedingly dangerous habit. Speeding is correlated with an increase in vehicle-related deaths; a 2017 study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board found that speeding resulted in just as many casualties as drunk driving between 2005 and 2014 – only speaking to the importance of monitoring and enforcing speed limits.
Traditional ways to enforce speed limits were hands-on and time consuming. As the technology utilized for automated enforcement has become more advanced, increasing accuracy and data rich (e.g. ALPR), traffic management and speed enforcement has become more effective and efficient while yielding actionable data to inform smart policy decision-making. As automated enforcement becomes more sophisticated, municipalities are given improved visibility to keep drivers and pedestrians safe.
Among these sophisticated traffic management functionalities is point-to-point (P2P) speed enforcement (also referred to as “average speed detection”). P2P has been widely used in Europe, United Kingdom and Asia Pacific. It is expected to be introduced to the United States market soon and enables municipalities to deter speeding across a greater distance, allowing for slight and normal variations in speed.
- What is P2P Speed Enforcement?
P2P speed enforcement measures drivers’ average speed between locations, rather than measuring their speed at a single point. This is usually accomplished by placing two or more radar cameras at two separate locations along a roadway. These cameras are usually equipped with Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) and 3DHD radar to detect, record and monitor numerous license plates, across multiple lanes and in low-light or adverse weather conditions. - Why Does P2P Speed Enforcement Work?
P2P provides municipalities with a more complete and accurate view of driver behavior, while simultaneously reducing the need for human intervention or maintenance. Because this approach to speed enforcement takes a wide-angle view of the road, law enforcement can deter speeding for longer distances along roadways. Therefore, programs employing P2P enforcement can achieve network-wide effects, rather than only measuring instantaneous speeds. - Where Can Municipalities Deploy Point-to-Point Speed Enforcement?
Because P2P functions best when measuring average speed across multiple points, this type of enforcement provides the most benefit on stretches of road without stop signs or red lights, such as highways. It can also improve safety in construction work zones.
Redflex’s Halo Offers P2P Capabilities
Redflex’s Halo and Halo Distributed are cutting-edge traffic enforcement cameras that combine numerous functionalities for a comprehensive solution, including P2P speed enforcement where approved. Multiple features make Halo an industry-leading product, including:
- ALPR for identifying and tracking multiple vehicles
- 3DHD radar for monitoring vehicles across multiple lanes of traffic, even in low light
- The radar can monitor up to six lanes of traffic (bi-directional) and can detect up to 256 objects simultaneously
P2P enforcement not only deters speeding, it also can improve congestion and reduce deadly crashes. Redflex’s Halo solutions can be easily incorporated into existing roadway infrastructure and is an ideal option for jurisdictions committed to improving public safety.
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