Abu Dhabi Traffic Directorate: Traffic Light Cameras Detect Violators via Infrared without Flash

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Monday, August 26th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

The Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate urged motorists to reduce speed near intersections and avoid accelerating when approaching intersections in order to “catch” the green light as it switches to yellow. The directorate indicated that the cameras used to monitor traffic violators at Abu Dhabi intersections operate with state-of-the-art technology and high efficiency. The traffic cameras use infrared technology without flashing to nab motorists who run red lights, exceed speed limits, misuse traffic lanes, park vehicles on pedestrian crossings, and catch speeders who illegally overtake other vehicles at intersections in addition to capturing vehicles that turn illegally or make a U-turn to the left from the wrong lane.

Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists against running traffic lights when using mobile phones. He highlighted that lack of attention results in critical mistakes and significant material and human losses. Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi noted that motorists have the right of way at the green light, urging motorists coming from opposite directions to wait until the light turns to green.

Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi also stated the monitoring system at intersections in Abu Dhabi, which was launched by the directorate at the beginning of 2012, is an integrated project to improve traffic safety at intersections. As part of the program, 150 light-controlled junctions will be fitted with surveillance cameras in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region within the next five years. Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi indicated that the first phase of the project included the installation of cameras at 40 junctions in Abu Dhabi City.

Furthermore, Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi explained that the traffic monitoring system at intersections in the emirate is a modern traffic system allowing continuous assessment of the engineering of intersections and their impact on traffic safety and accidents. The system is linked to the notifications and text messaging system, as well as to the Portable variable Message Signs (PVMS).

The project represents one of the most important traffic safety improvement projects (engineering, awareness, control, assessment, response, and speed) on the roads and intersections in Abu Dhabi. “It is an integrated project encompassing the necessary components to improve traffic safety, or the 5Es of traffic safety integration,” added Brigadier Al Harithi.

“The traffic control cameras at intersections are high quality thermal infrared cameras covering more than five lanes in each direction. They are multifunctional, and include infrared license plate readers, they are used to determine the numbers and types of crossing vehicles, estimating the average speed, and determining the number and directions of pedestrians during the green and red lights,” indicated Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi.

Concluding, Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi stressed that the directorate is exerting considerable efforts to curb traffic accidents resulting in deaths and serious injuries by promoting traffic control and installing modern automated control systems for internal and external roads in Abu Dhabi. The directorate also endeavors to intensify traffic awareness through the Abu Dhabi traffic program called “Together.” This program is ongoing on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and disseminates traffic culture through media and lectures and enhances communication with all segments of society. It also urges all road users to observe traffic laws and regulations.