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

  • SRL shows green for highway workzone stop and go
    June 5, 2023
    Company launches Rosgo as well as enhancing Urban64 traffic control system
  • Demand management schemes, is there a better way?
    January 31, 2012
    The European Commission is placing too much emphasis on the use of demand management, according to the FIA. Here, Wil Botman, Director-General of the FIA's European Bureau, explains why. Towards the end of last year, the European Bureau of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) released a statement which criticised the European Commission's (EC's) approach to urban traffic congestion following the adoption of the Action Plan on Urban Mobility. In particular, the FIA voiced concerns over what it
  • Section speed enforcements gains global converts
    October 26, 2017
    As the benefits of section speed enforcement are becoming clearer, the technology is gaining converts worldwide. Colin Sowman reports. America’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for urgent action from both road authorities and the federal government to combat speeding which has been identified as one of the most common factors in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. This new call follows the publication of a safety study which found that between 2005 through 2014, 31% of all
  • Teledyne Flir: here’s how to find the right ITS camera
    January 4, 2022
    From lighting to weather, there are so many elements which need to be taken into account when choosing a camera for ITS operations. Riana Sartori from Teledyne Flir offers a buyer’s guide