Skip to main content

Jenoptik goes green at the roadside

Wind, solar and hydrogen power can be used to keep its temporary speed cameras going
By Adam Hill October 3, 2022 Read time: 2 mins
No CO2 is generated on-site with iTascar (image credit: Jenoptik)

Jenoptik has developed green power sources for its temporary speed camera enforcement cameras.

The company says it has delivered, over the last 20 years, 500 Temporary Automated Speed Cameras At Roadworks (Tascar) schemes which use its Specs average speed cameras and Vector infra-red lighting system, to enforce the essential limits in place to keep drivers safe and traffic flowing.

These cameras have needed to be connected to the power grid or to diesel generators. Until now, that is: iTascar uses renewable and zero carbon power only - through a combination of wind, solar and hydrogen power - which means no CO2 is generated on-site.

The iTascar system is designed to be energy efficient with the Vector infra-red lights only activated when the Vector camera’s shutter is used.

Reduced power draw means the system can be fully operational even through winter, 24/7, where other renewable energy-powered systems only work during daylight and fair weather, Jenoptik says.
 
The environmental benefits of iTascar are enhanced by the co-location of Airly air quality monitoring sensors, mounted to the camera columns to provide 24/7 monitoring throughout the roadworks site.  

“The technology has performed really well and the fuel cell arrangements have proved very successful,” explained Bob Feurtado, senior traffic manager, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.

“The air quality monitoring provides useful data and Jenoptik have worked collaboratively with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and our stakeholders.”
 
The system has been successfully used at a number of UK sites, including the A11 Concrete Roads Replacement scheme, where power was not easily available and air quality was of particular importance, the manufacturer explains.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Jenoptik enforcement action begins in Maryland
    August 22, 2024
    Systems in Prince George’s County contain Vector SR camera and a radar sensor
  • Progressing work zone safety systems
    February 1, 2012
    David Crawford investigates progress in a key safety area - work zones. Highway construction zone safety is taken seriously enough in the US to merit a special spring National Work Zone Awareness Week, which in 2010 ran from 19-23 April. Headed by the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this aims to reduce an annual toll of work zone deaths - 720 in 2008 (an average of one every 10 hours) with more than 40,000 traffic injuries (an average of one every 13 minutes).
  • Progressing work zone safety systems
    February 6, 2012
    David Crawford investigates progress in a key safety area - work zones
  • Siemens influences congestion reduction
    March 12, 2021
    When it comes to reducing congestion, even relatively small interventions can have significant and positive knock-on effects, suggests Steve O’Sullivan of Siemens Mobility