Frequently Asked Questions

What about maintenance and ongoing costs?

>The roadside unit has been designed to look after itself as best it can. Depending on traffic dirt, etc, you may have to wipe clean the camera window and polish the solar cell occasionally to keep it in tip-top condition. We provide user maintenance tips as a download when you purchase the unit. Or, you can return it to us for refurbishment at a modest charge.

There is a small but necessary annual cost to maintain the data connectivity for the second and subsequent years. This keeps the unit connected to the mobile network (much like a smartphone data plan) and also gives you access to the dashboard to view results.

All in all, we've tried to make the effective management of speed in your community as affordable as possible.

Does AutoSpeedWatch log total traffic volumes or just speeders?

>Yes; within it's limitations. AutoSpeedWatch is primarily focused on changing driver behaviours and identifying the worst and most persistent speeders, but a new feature does provide some location statistics, including (daytime) volumes and average speeds. Some of these stats are actual, and some are estimated; this is because the unit is solar powered and cannot always capture every speeder. It does however, provide useful information on speed and time distributions, plus average speeds, and a risk analysis of each location.

If you need precise 24hr survey information on volumes of traffic then a dedicated traffic logging product will more likely suit your need.

AutoNoiseWatch is a dedicated vehicle noise camera system for the identification of noisy vehicles. Like AutoSpeedWatch it also includes some statistics reporting, but if statistics are your prime concern then a dedicated traffic logging device will more likely perform better.

How high does the Roadside Unit need to be mounted?

>The Roadside Unit should be ideally mounted at a height of between 2.2m and 4m, with an ideal height around 2.4-3.2m. See our page on Site Location for details.

What is the size and weight of the Roadside Unit?

>The roadside unit has been built to be small and discreet. It's about the size of a book ; 200mm x 175mm x 63mm, and it weighs less than a kilo. The solar cell used to power the unit is incorporated in the top of the Roadside unit, so there's no need for mains power. Easy!

What is the Roadside Unit supplied with?

>The Roadside Unit is supplied with a medium fixing band suitable for a standard sign post (76mm - 120mm), a wrench and a security bit to fix band. It is now also supplied with a Restart Tool to ease installation by enabling the Easy Align function.

Roadside Units (2) Accessories (9) Connectivity (2)

About AutoSpeedWatch

AutoSpeedWatch^® automatically records speeding vehicles as an aid to Community Speed Watch (CSW) schemes.

Daylight hours operation
Fully compliant and effective deterrent
Identifies the highest, persistent, and illegal speeding vehicles
Provides intelligence-led and more efficient road policing
Easy installation & use

It is NOT an enforcement camera; It does not issue fines or directly penalise a speeding motorist. It's like having a CSW team at the roadside but for longer hours and without getting cold and hungry! Unlike "Yellow box" enforcement cameras, AutoSpeedWatch distinguishes between vehicles that are habitually speeding, and those vehicles where the driver has made an occasional mistake. This allows the police to prioritise their resources against the worst drivers.

Community Speedwatch deterrence, but easier and more effective...

No need for people at the roadside, no risk of being struck, no verbal or physical abuse. All the CSW team need to do is verify the number plates it reads using a browser at home or anywhere else, making Community SpeedWatch easier, safer, and more effective. The data is collated and prioritised by severity into specific intelligence for police for the action they deem appropriate; often by writing to the registered keeper in the first instance, or to deploy the Speed Enforcement Units prioritised by risk profile. Gloucestershire Police were the first UK force to formally change their policy to use Community Speedwatch Cameras to help engineer better driving behaviours. See how it works.

Integrates CSW schemes together
Improves police efficiency & reduces resources required
Provides feedback to CSW groups
"Average Speed Check" zones between units

Although very cost-effective it has some limitations: It is daytime only, it won't always record every speeder every time (for example if other traffic makes it difficult to distinguish offending from non-offending traffic), and it isn't (doesn't need to be) Home Office 'type approved' equipment for the purposes of issuing penalties. In low winter sun, it may need to sometimes rest to recharge. Nonetheless, it will help identify the worst and most persistent speeders, and guides the police at where and when to enforce. It's a different, prioritised, intelligent, and efficient approach to speeding.

AutoSpeedWatch is compliant with legislation, does not invade privacy, and provides intelligence for appropriate policing measures. It allows a closer and more productive relationship between the police and the communities threatened by speeding. Used in conjunction with signs it provides a proven excellent deterrent.

An Independent View

Stroud District Road Safety Group has completed an independent trial and assessment which concludes that AutoSpeedWatch is ".... an excellent, cost-effective solution ....".

About Autospeedwatch Limited

After years of encouragement, development, and successful trials, Autospeedwatch Limited now offers "AutoSpeedWatch" and "AutoNoiseWatch" as cost-effective community tools. Our philosophy is to engineer better driver behaviours whilst keeping the public 'onside'; by concentrating on the worst drivers first. With continual improvement and innovation we are dedicated to building community-police relationships and helping reduce road-related injury and fatalities. Take a look at our statistics.