Speed cameras are an automated form of traffic enforcement that monitor the speed of passing vehicles. If a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the camera will take a picture of the license plate and may issue a ticket, depending on local laws. The technology in modern speed cameras is relatively standardised and engineered to fall into a few different categories: Speed cameras are made up of a series of engineering panels that display the image on a screen. Modern speed camera control panels are designed to function seamlessly with their internal electronics and allow technicians to quickly and easily access all components. The LCD, control buttons and LEDs all work together within the panel to create an easy-to-use interface. The safety of motorists is paramount to engineering teams. However, what aren’t always prioritised are the legality of the materials and designs used.
In order for any product to be successful, it must pass all legal requirements and these legal stipulations should inform the engineering design process. When designing control panels and other equipment, standards like those laid out in the ISO 9001:2008 requirements or other engineering standards must be taken into account. The ISO 9001:2008 requirements set out a series of quality management principles that all businesses should seek to comply with. The legislation explains: As speed cameras are an enforcement tool, there are strict legal guidelines that specify where, when, how, and to what maximum speed they can be set at. An engineering firm would need to ensure that the equipment they supply and design supports the law. Safety is the priority for all engineering firms, even for designers who aren’t designing equipment that is directly safety related.
It may seem that when designing equipment to be used in a police station, there shouldn’t be any safety concerns. But your equipment could be contravening local health and safety guidelines, or compromising your working environment if not appropriately designed. In the case of speed cameras, there is also the additional issue of driver privacy. Data about a driver’s speed, turning direction, and road position is collected by the device. This data could be shared with other parties without a driver’s permission. This wouldn’t align with the laws on privacy set out by the European Union. According to the comprehensive guide on the legality of speed cameras in Arizona, the best solutions to avoid the problems of legal compliance are: In order to design engineering panels for speed cameras that meet legal guidelines, engineers must seek to prioritise security and privacy while still providing high quality materials that operate at maximum efficiency.