Frequently-asked questions

How can I tell which direction the camera is pointed?

Answer: The camera is set in the home position. This is the position used most frequently by the staff in the traffic control center. We have a typical morning scheme and afternoon scheme which automatically sends all cameras to pre-set directions. Generally speaking, these automatic settings keep the cameras pointed so that the heaviest traffic flow is oncoming or heading toward the camera. When there is no incident to monitor, the cameras are usually zoomed out and pointing in peak flow traffic direction. The cameras can be rotated 360 degrees as well as zoomed, panned and tilted.

I was in an accident near one of your cameras. Do you have a video tape of the accident?

Answer: We do not regularly record our camera feeds for archiving. No tapes will be kept. We only occasionally record video images for traffic studies and exceptional circumstances.

What hardware/software do I need to view the traffic camera images?

Answer: You need a PC that is networked to a standard telecommunication line, LAN, WAN with an Internet connection and you need Web browser software loaded on your PC. No other tools are required because all the necessary software tools are downloaded to your browser or monitoring PC.

How often are the camera images updated?

Answer: Camera images should update automatically. Variable refresh rates depend on end-user's connection speed and connection out in the field. If your browser does not support the refresh function, you can manually update the image by selecting one of the refresh rate buttons below the image.

Are the cameras able to read vehicle license plates and monitor traffic speeds?

Answer: The cameras are not able to read vehicle license plates and do not have sensors to detect traffic speeds. Cameras are strictly for traffic management use only, not for law enforcement.

What are the benefits of the video cameras?

Answer: Some of the benefits of the video cameras include:

• Congestion management/operations optimization — Real-time monitoring of congestion at intersections and along corridors.
  • Technicians can manually modify timing plans to relieve congestion resulting from isolated events.
  • Engineers can modify timing plans to meet traffic demand.
• Reduction in travel time delay.
• Operation/safety — Real-time monitoring, vehicle and non-motorized conflict monitoring.
• Transit corridor monitoring.
• Traveler information:
  • Citizens can see traffic conditions before setting out on trips to work, to home, to shopping, etc.
  • Web site access also available to media for reporting traffic conditions.
• Incident management:
  • Report incidents to police, fire and rescue.
  • Report incidents to traffic reports and traffic reporting services.

In addition to the benefits listed above, current technology has a potential to provide other monitoring capabilities we will be looking into as we test our first installations.

How do the camera images get from the field to my monitor?

Answer: The cameras are connected by a Category 5 cable to the remote server located out in the field. The remote server transmits the images from the camera to an image server by means of an ISDN or DSL phone line using standard Internet Protocol. The image server then transmits the images to the Web server. The end user is then able to view the images by logging on to the Web site. View a flow chart of this process (37KB .jpg).

What if my question is still not answered?

Answer: You can ask questions or provide feedback by e-mailing traffic.roads@metrokc.gov.

Updated: Oct. 8, 2007