Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

1. What are those cameras I see on the freeways?
2. Does Caltrans save the videos to use for other purposes?
3. Do you monitor speeders with these videos?
4. Why don't you offer all your cameras on the web?

---

What are those cameras I see on the freeways?

Closed-Circuit Television Cameras are being installed on many freeways in urban areas. The pictures are beamed into our Transportation Management Centers across the state, where the images are used to verify reported incidents and to dispatch the appropriate response. We are making some of these pictures available on this web page so commuters can make informed decisions as to when to take a trip on the freeway.

Does Caltrans save the videos to use for other purposes?

We don't save any of the videos.

Do you monitor speeders with the videos?

There are strict guidelines regarding the use and transmission of these pictures. They are strictly for traffic management use only, not for law enforcement.

Why don't you offer all your cameras on the web?

We would like to, but Caltrans has hundreds of cameras monitoring California freeways.  Adding a camera to our site requires extra equipment and setup for each camera. We're offering as many cameras as we have bandwidth and equipment for right now.