The Morpheous RoadPilot is a standard type of GPS-based navigation system meant for drivers in the U.K. The RoadPilot, however, comes with a unique feature…insofar as I can tell. That feature is the ability to warn the driver as the vehicle approaches most speed traps and all speed cameras in the U.K. This feature is supported by a co-product, the Morpheous Network. The Network offers the usual categories in their Points-of-Interest (POI) database such as Parks, Libraries and Thai Restaurants, but then adds a category for Speed Cameras. The Morpheous database is refreshed daily via updates from drivers who capture new speed trap locations via their own RoadPilot units, thus making it a co-operative effort.
Drivers in the U.K. seem to face an unusually large number and variety of speed control devices. Their Gatso and Truvelo speed cameras are pictured above, together with a red light camera (middle).
Drivers here in North America have relatively fewer resources to draw on. Radar detectors are illegal in many locations. Websites such as speedtrap.org do a reasonably good job of denoting speed traps. There are also a number of public and private sites that identify photo radar and red light camera locations, such as this one in Washington D.C. These ‘silos’ of information are uncoordinated and, of course, impossible to use in real-time.
Therefore I would like to invite you to..
..please reply via Comments to this Post if you are interested in participating in a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of creating a POI database of speed traps here in North America. No warranty is made with respect to, and no liability is assumed in connection with, any product or service or effort that may, or may not be delivered pursuant to this project. In other words, there are no promises that this project will be started, let alone completed. If this project were to proceed, it would likely be on a best-efforts, volunteer-basis with no compensation or remuneration of any kind being offered. Void where illegal or prohibited.
Disclaimers: Neither this poster, nor this Weblog nor anyone associated with this site condones speeding, or any illegal activity for that matter. Speed limits are intended to save lives and protect property.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
the best way to avoid getting a speeding ticket is not to speed, period.
I think “speed trap” apps are going to make speeders especially hard to catch now, but I’m sure police departments will find new ways of enforcing the laws of the road. (I’m old enough to remember when the only way to warn someone of a speed trap was to blink your lights, not that I endorse that action.)