The Gatso™ Camera


This is easily the most common and most widely recognised type of speed camera. Sitting in a large metal box attached to a metal post this menacing device uses a traditional speed detection system to to catch speeding drivers.

Gatso Camera in Bath UKHow it works

The Gatso™ system uses a radar to measure the speed of passing vehicles, a flash unit, and a film based camera. White markings painted on the road surface also act as a backup to validate the speed of photographed vehicles.

 

When a vehicle passes the camera faster than a pre-set speed, it triggers the flash and camera shutters together to take the first picture. Then 0.6 seconds later they are triggered again to take the second picture.

 

From the two pictures the authorities are able to identify the vehicle and the speed it was travelling. The speed is also validated by calculating the distance travelled between the first and second pictures, in relation to the white markings on the road surface. These markings are a fixed distance apart. The disadvantage with this system is that it can run out of film, although Safety Camera Partnerships do attend to their cameras quite regularly.

Technologies used

Radar (Kband) - Flash unit - Camera containing traditional film.

Gatso™ Facts

Model: Type 24 Gatsometer™
Manufactured by: Gatsometer BV in the Netherlands.

The camera uses cassettes of 35mm colour film, 30 metres in length which is enough for 800 exposures (400 pairs).
The Secretary of State first approved this type of camera on June 24 1992, with an extended Type approval in November 2000.
Every Gatso™ is sent back to the factory in Holland to be calibrated every 12 months.

Mobile Gatso Camera

Mobile Gatso™ Cameras

The mobile Gatso camera is very similar to the fixed Gatso but is stored in a highly portable housing. It often sits on a tripod or sometimes mounted inside a vehicle.

These cameras are not often used for mobile speed detection, and authorities prefer to use laser speed guns with a video link.

 

However the mobile Gatso is extremely hard to spot and is ideal for camera units when they want to give the driver little or no opportunity to see the camera. This system uses existing Gatso technology, as found in fixed cameras, with some modifications to make the system more portable. Mobile Gatso also uses 35mm film. This system can also be set to distinguish between cars and lorries.

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