Radar Jamming

Apr 14, 2005 82 Replies

Yeah, there were some fun specs on those projects. The one I had to deal with was in vehicle separation. We needed to determine when a vehicle entered the toll zone, and when it left it, to within a few milliseconds. Needed to work on motorcycles, cars, trucks, and correctly identify trailers as part of the same vehicle! Of course, when I got to the actual installation, I saw that this was in the car pool lanes of the highway, so it was illegal to tow a trailer there! But, it was 'in the spec!'

Solved that one by using multiple laser sensors, and combining them in a logic box to identify when a valid signal was detected. Should'a patented that one, but the company wasn't into getting patents on its technology. They were probably infringing on too many already... 8-)

My favorite part about the antennas was that they were mounted by a pair of U-bolts. Worked great, until the wind came up. Those almost meter square antennas had a lot of sail area, and unless you REALLY torqued them down, they would slowly rotate!

Charlie

I think you miss the point. I agree totally that fatalities are mostly due to bad driving. Here in NZ the stats for fatal crashes are roughly:

involving alcohol: 33% involving speed: 33%

so 2/3 of crashes dont involve alcohol, and 2/3 of crashes dont involve speed. They pretty much *all* involve bad driving - not driving to conditions, doing seriously stupid things etc.

The problem is the 1-2 million (pop. 4e6) lousy drivers (all of whom think they are good drivers). How does any government turn these idiots into good drivers? with extreme difficulty, if at all. OTOH reducing speed is fairly simple to do, and drastically reduces kinetic energy. Coupled with improved vehicular safety, this minimises harm.

The worst bit is *not* fatalities, its the much higher rate of mutilation that really costs the most.

People here whinge about "speed tax". They are correct (its a random tax applied to speedsters) but they all seem to forget its a voluntary tax. After paying $50,000 income tax one year then getting a $300 ticket, I decided to stop volunteering for additional taxes (speeding, parking, no WOF/rego etc). My fuel bill went down as a direct result, and I no longer bother looking for cops. Instead, I look for the homicidal lunatic coming the other way.

Cheers Terry

Cops responded to your smashed window? wow. Over here they are far too busy looking at internet p*rn (or manning radars) to attend crimes.

Cheers Terry

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required