LIDAR - MORE DEFENDABLE IN COURT
LIDAR VS. RADAR
BLS utilizes LIDAR to identify vehicles and calculate their speed, not radar like most other companies. Law Enforcement officers understand that radar shoots a wide cone shaped doppler beam into a lane, capturing multiple vehicles in it's beam. Officers have to use training and a doppler tone to determine which vehicle the radar is capturing. How can a computer do this with accuracy?
LIDAR
Officers also understand that LIDAR is a laser beam. It's 100% accurate, determining exactly which vehicle it is capturing. In our stationary cameras, a LIDAR (laser) beam is aimed into a single lane and vehicles drive through it. The LIDAR captures several hundred data points determining the speed as the vehicle travels through the beam.
Which is more defendable in court?
If you are picking a program, which technology do you want to defend in court? Every officer we've asked answered LIDAR.
SCHOOL ZONE SPEED ENFORCEMENT
THE DIFFERENCE
Most companies want to "put up cameras and cash checks". That's exactly how the automated industry has received such a bad name. Blue Line Solutions (BLS) believes there should be a high level of responsibility regarding educational elements as well as enforcement. Following standards set by the National Highway Safety Administration and the FHWA, our program consists of three elements.
- PUBLIC INFORMATION
- EDUCATION
- ENFORCEMENT
First, we must educate the public of the need. Is there a speeding problem? If so, how bad? How do we solve the problem? What are the efforts utilized? How do we measure the effectiveness? All these questions, and more are taken into consideration when developing a Blue Line program.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
SPEED STUDIES
The first element of the program is to determine if a speeding problem exists. We achieve this by conducting a five (5) day speed study of the roadway in question. Through this process we help the jurisdiction determine if there is a speeding problem, and if so to what degree. This data will also be used to measure future data against to determine the effectiveness of the program.
PRESS RELEASES
A paramount element to a successful program is to provide information to the public. Blue Line Solutions (BLS) will aid the jurisdiction in drafting press releases and/or planning press conferences to announce the program to the public.
30 Day Warning Period
BLS always recommends a 30 day warning period upon implementation. After the PI&E efforts have begun, for a period of 30 days, warning citations can be sent for speeding violations. This allows the community to become aware that the program has begun.
Post 30 Day Warning Speed Study
After the PI&E Efforts and 30 day warning period is complete, another 5 day speed study will be conducted to measure the effectiveness of the PI&E campaign. In almost every case, a significant decrease is realized prior to the first citation even being written.
(Ex., One elementary school in GA - Pre implementation study indicated and average of 300 speeding vehicles per day at 11MPH+ above the speed limit. During the PI&E Effort, the number of speeding vehicles dropped to 150 per day. Upon completion of the 30 day warning, the number of vehicles speeding averaged 80 per day)
Radar Speed Signs Included
The BLS program includes one radar speed sign for each photo enforcement camera placed in a school zone. We recommend the radar sign be placed after the photo speed warning sign, but prior to the flashing lights with the speed limit reduction sign. In this case, the driver passes:
- Photo Enforcement Warning Sign
- Radar Speed Sign (showing the driver their speed)
- The school zone flashing lights
You've provided 3 warnings. Now, if the driver gets a citations, they earned it.
EDUCATION
School System Email Blasts
BLS will provide information to the school system throughout the program to remind parents to slow down in school zones. Such messages might include a reminder when returning from Christmas breaks, etc.
You will notice on the social media comment chain that the posts are positive. This is what the program strives for. Through proper communication with the public, the program garners support. Being the case, the agency no longer only hears from the nae sayers, but also the supporting public.
BLS realizes that working with the schools is a extremely important to a successful school zone enforcement program. Multiple elements of our program focus on educating parents, teachers, and bus drivers.
Brochures
BLS will design and distribute brochures to the jurisdictions and school systems containing messages regarding school zone safety. Each brochure will contain the jurisdiction's logo and the school logo. The jurisdiction/school will have approval authority over all messaging. The purpose is to provide educational material to parents, students, bus drivers, and teachers regarding the need for the program and an announcement of the upcoming program. Brochure development will continue throughout the program including multiple safety messages.
PTO/PTA
The program includes meetings between the police department and PTO/PTA to discuss the data, the need for the program, and ongoing results.
ENFORCEMENT
Without an enforcement element, driver behavior doesn't change. Once a PI&E campaign has begun, enforcement must follow to impact the driving behaviors that make roadways safer.
After the 30 day warning, the enforcement will begin with valid citations. The program is customizable based on state laws and local ordinances. Late fees, collection services for non- paid fines, etc can all be part of the program.
School System Email Blasts
BLS will provide information to the school system throughout the program to remind parents to slow down in school zones. Such messages might include a reminder when returning from Christmas breaks, etc.