Cameras Cut Crashes :(

Last week we had the ‘independent’ testers out to the Eastlink camera site under Wellington Road.

For the trip we fired up the GPS and logged the lot; Speed, Location, Altude and Direction.

Most interesting was the Altitude results.

Heading northbound its pretty clear that over the approaching 1-2kms there is a marked slope down to the underpass (see image below)

NorthBound Altitude Results

Heading south is just as bad as the underpass the ‘dips’ to allow the free toll way to pass under the bridge.
(Images soon)

This comment was passed to me by a ‘Anti Speed Camera campaign expert’

John King and I had a look at the Wellington Rd Camera on East link on Monday. I can understand why it is making lots of money for the Government.
The problem is that the Wellington Rd. is an underpass. East link is fairly level but when you approach Wellington Rd from the north, you can’t see the bridge until you get close.
As you approach Wellington Rd. there is a dip of about 15 metres to get under Wellington Rd. Under the bridge, the road is level
The downward slope is gradual over about 200 meters.  So, you don’t feel the gradual increase in speed, especially if you are watching the road and not the speedometer, and are relying on your senses.
I watched my GPS units speed indication and noticed an increase of 2 kms. p.h in speed, from 79 to 81, before the cruise control started to back of the accelerator.
But, if you don’t use cruise control but your foot on the accelerator, you probably would not notice the gradual increase and therefore not back off on the pedal. Then Bingo, gotcha.

Once you know about it, no problems, you back off on the throttle as you go downhill on the approach to Wellington Rd, and no problems.
It’s a bit unfair, as it’s designed to catch the unwary and therefore is a great little earner for the revenue.

My advice to people always has been the get a GPS navigation system and have cruise control installed in your car and use it. Set the cruise control by the GPS and let the cruise control monitor the speed. Cruise control can sense a slight increase in speed that your body would not notice. Saving a couple of fines will pay for it all.

Claus Salger

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