Be afraid. Be very afraid. If you thought you had the upper hand over average speed cameras, mobile safety cameras and fixed Gatsos, all that could be about to change. The Vitronic Enforcement Trailer is coming and it hasn’t had any dinner.
This autonomous speed enforcement system is able to reach parts other speed cameras cannot reach, including areas without power supply and in situations where it would be too hazardous for a human to set up a mobile device. With the Enforcement Trailer, there’s simply no hiding place.
The French Ministry has already purchased 150 of these menacing machines, with 50 already in operation in France. So you may have been caught by an Enforcement Trailer – you just don’t know it yet. And be warned: there’s every chance these Robocops of the roadside will venture across the English Channel and into the UK.
Vitronic is probably one of the biggest companies you’ve never heard of. From its Wiesbaden headquarters it specialises in industrial automation, logistics and traffic technology; supplying speed and red light enforcement systems and license plate readers to the public and private sectors. Many toll system operators use its TollChecker system to automate toll collection and enforcement.
Doesn’t eat, sleep or drink for five days
According to the German firm, the Enforcement Trailer makes “zero demands on the local infrastructure” and is ideal for rural roads, work zones and areas where it can be left unprotected for long periods of time. A long battery life and armoured shell ensures it can catch the maximum number of speeding drivers over the longest period of time.
Indeed, the Enforcement Trailer – a name that in itself sounds rather sinister – has an independent power supply based on high-performance batteries, enabling an uninterrupted operation for five days. Asking a safety camera operator to work for five days without a break would be unethical. Not to mention illegal.
[bctt tweet=”Asking a safety camera operator to work for five days without a break would be unethical. Not to mention illegal.” via=”no”]
Crucially, the light radar technology allows authorities to enforce speed limits of all vehicles across all lanes simultaneously. Variable speed limits and bans on through traffic specific to certain times, lanes and vehicle classes can also be monitored. In short, the Enforcement Trailer has got your number and if you’re up to no good, there’s simply no hiding place.
Hates humans, loves catching offenders
An integrated modem transfers case data wirelessly via GSM and enables remote access to the measuring system. This means no human intervention is required between the time of installation and removal. At which point the Enforcement Trailer is dragged away, kicking and screaming, pleading for more action.
Vitronic claims it can be transported by virtually any vehicle that has a tow-bar and it even has its own remote-controlled engine for precise alignment. Once at ground level it’s extremely difficult for unauthorised parties to remove it, with the armoured shell and alarm system helping to protect it from anyone who may have been caught by the box that’s set to launch its own war on speed.
They may look like a cross between a cash machine and a recycling bin, but they could soon be coming to a roadside near you. We have just one question: assuming the Enforcement Trailer is not monitored by CCTV, what’s to stop someone sticking a blanket over the top, therefore rendering Robocop useless?
Answers on a postcard.
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