Mon
Jun 26 2006
07:40 pm
How Redflex Works
By: michael kaplan

the news-sentinel has done an excellent graphic on how the redflex system works:

(link...)

i took a time-coded video of the intersection and the yellow arrow lasts for about 3 seconds. because drivers think the yellow arrow will last longer, there are significant numbers of vehicles entering the intersection after the light turns red. and then, occcasionally, it doesn't turn red, it turns green, so it in effect educates drivers (randomly) that it's ok to enter the intersection on a yellow arrow.

great system for making money ...

Topics:
Number9's picture

occcasionally, it doesn't

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2006/06/26 - 8:33pm.

occcasionally, it doesn't turn red, it turns green,

Doesn't sound right. That sounds like a programming mistake. If this is done on purpose it sounds very dangerous.

Up Goose Creek's picture

Cameras

Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Mon, 2006/06/26 - 10:11pm.

I just hope they can use the cameras to catch the yahoo who came around me this morning*.  I was headed north at said intersection, stopped in the center lane and the left turn lane had the arrow.  Meanwhile this @#% came around me on the RIGHT, passes in front of me and hangs a left turn onto Western. 

We all make mistakes but these kind of drivers need to be taken off the road.

*It was at 9:38 a.m. if anyone with the city is lurking and wants to review the tape.

rikki's picture

First of all, how does

Submitted by rikki on Tue, 2006/06/27 - 12:34am.

First of all, how does Redflex know what address goes with what license plate? Isn't that privileged information owned by and controlled by the licensing agency, a/k/a the State of Tennessee? If some corporation has the data, will they sell me the phone number of hottie in the Subaru with the "Dick Cheney is laughing at you" bumper sticker?

Secondly, if Redflex is reviewing images before KPD sees them, what assurance do we have that Redflex is not capturing images all the time, regardless of whether lights are green or red, and keeping records of who passes through intersections when, or watching out for targeted license tags or sharing data with the federal government?

Thirdly, based on the list of monitored intersections, these cameras do not monitor all four directions at any intersection and probably do not monitor left turn signals at all. 

michael kaplan's picture

rikki's questions are all

Submitted by michael kaplan on Tue, 2006/06/27 - 1:29am.

rikki's questions are all excellent ones. if redflex actually has an office in knoxville - as the news-sentinel article claims - maybe a group of citizen 'watchdogs' should pay them a visit and ask these questions in person. does the contract between redflex and the COK allow that?

this discussion becomes even more interesting in the context of the recent news article on I-475, where a suggestion was put forth that the 'orange route' might become a 'public-private partnership' - even a toll road.

as lewis mumford might have said, 'privatization takes command.'

Ennui's picture

Redflex has an office in the

Submitted by Ennui on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 10:11am.

Redflex has an office in the Regency Business Park...close to the Police Station.

bizgrrl's picture

Redflex has an office in the

Submitted by bizgrrl on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 6:00pm.

Redflex has an office in the Regency Business Park...close to the Police Station.

Where's that?

Ennui's picture

bizgrrl, that's over behind

Submitted by Ennui on Fri, 2007/02/09 - 9:28am.

bizgrrl, that's over behind the Townview Terrace, where Summitt Hill intersects with MLK.

rocketsquirrel's picture

electric retractable license plate

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Fri, 2007/02/09 - 10:19am.

hmmm. nice product. Only $279.95. Of course, you'd have to bypass it off of the ignition switch to another onboard switch. But why not battle technology with technology?

the page linked was a little slow to load, but their photos clearly demonstrate the applicability to traffic cams.

Car Guy's picture

Rikki said:

Submitted by Car Guy (not verified) on Tue, 2006/06/27 - 9:09am.

"First of all, how does Redflex know what address goes with what license plate? Isn't that privileged information owned by and controlled by the licensing agency, a/k/a the State of Tennessee? If some corporation has the data, will they sell me the phone number of hottie in the Subaru with the "Dick Cheney is laughing at you" bumper sticker?"

 Actually anyone can buy that info from the county. It comes out of the same office where you renew your tags in the old courthouse.

Harry Douglas's picture

Battle Back Against Red Light Camera's

Submitted by Harry Douglas (not verified) on Tue, 2006/08/22 - 6:31pm.

Car Concerns...Heard In Knoxville On The Horne Radio Group and Clear Channels WLAC in Nashville every Sunday, 11:00-1:00 PM. Listen via the Internet Stream @: wlac.com

As of August 06' Redflex had issued 11,785 citations collected from "RED-LIGHT CAMERAS" at seven Knoxville intersections.

The fine is $50.00 and a $67.50 Court Cost is tacked on. That's a total of $117.50...what a rackett! Total that up and there has been almost $1.4 million collected from Knoxville Motorist since the camera's have been turned on.

I have a perfectly legal way to protect your vehicle and your pocket book from this fee grabbing system. Go to carconcerns.com and click on the PhotoBlocker Can "AS SEEN ON TV" and place your order today.

One can does 4 license plates and the cost per can of Photo Blocker is a fraction of the $50.00 fine, not to mention the the $67.50 Court cost.

Knoxville motorist will be involved in more rear-end collisions as a result of slamming on the brakes to avoid these citations. Don't lose your Cash-In-A-Flash. Fight Back...make that License Plate Invisible!

"Suprisingly Effective..." - Fox News

"It will hide your license plate from red light cameras..." - CBS News

photoman7's picture

The spray and plates and all

Submitted by photoman7 on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 12:37am.

The spray and plates and all the other gadgets that people come up with to block the radars doesn't work. I have a friend who works for Redflex and he has told me as well as shown me what happens when that stuff is used. it makes no difference and sometimes even helps their cameras out. I don't see what is so wrong about the use of cameras and vans to enforce the laws. if you don't speed like a crazed mainiac then you will be fine. He told me that here in AZ they allow you 11 mph over limit!! Thats more than a trooper will do sometimes.

JaHu's picture

I don't see what is so wrong

Submitted by JaHu on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 8:52am.

I don't see what is so wrong about the use of cameras and vans to enforce the laws.

It's wrong because, we are human and we do make mistakes, and most of our mistakes driving, usually don't result in accidents. This system doesn't allow us mistakes, it makes us pay for every mistake we make. Humans need leeway. How many accidents usually occur at this intersection? Is it anywhere near the amount of citations given out, if not I think this is overkill. Are accidents still occurring at the intersection? Maybe more rear end collisions? Maybe I'm wrong on this, I generally am, but it seems that all that these cameras are doing is throwing another distraction into the minds of the drivers, at a time when they need less distractions.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

bizgrrl's picture

Cameras at Cedar Bluff Rd. I

Submitted by bizgrrl on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 9:43am.

Cameras at Cedar Bluff Rd. I was driving along the other day, the light turned yellow, I was just past the painted white bar on the road that indicates the stopping point. I put on my brakes to stop, then noticed a car right on my tail so I had to keep going. I probably did not warrant any camera action, since the light was yellow (a large truck to my left went through the light at the exact same time). Who knows? We'll wait and see.

Someone told me I would see a flash from the camera if it was activated. Does anyone know if this is true? Is the flash real obvious or would it be by chance that I notice the flash in heavy traffic?

mpower1952's picture

Yes, the flash is very obvious

Submitted by mpower1952 on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 2:39pm.

But now that I think of it, I'm not sure if it's obvious during the day. It's way obvious at night. I've seen it flash at other cars on Cedar Bluff.

Be a blessing to someone today.

Stan G's picture

New Cameras Not Yet Operational

Submitted by Stan G on Thu, 2007/02/08 - 6:42pm.

Kingston Pike and Papermill Road

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