Free Traffic Legal Advice
General discussion => The Flame Pit => Topic started by: ConfusedDaze on March 22, 2026, 05:55:57 pm
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This is the new home office approves REDSPEED SENTIO Shield which is a spot speed camera which combines:
- “4D tracking”
- a 4k colour camera which requires no visible flash or white light, and no in-ground sensors or road markings
This type of camera can enforce up to 5 lanes in any combination of approaching or receding.
These are now being enforced in Avon & Somerset force area.
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So how does that apply to a number plate then?
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Surely the fourth dimension is simply time, so there are 3 spatial dimensions + time. Or to put it another way, a video recording.
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it's all marketing bo****ks, in the same way as 3-D and 4-D number plates.
I agree. I've never seen a number plate with 4 'D's either. ::)
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4D is a somewhat creative use of language. Whilst a "dimension" in physics can be pretty much anything that can be measured, 3D refers to the 3 cartesian dimensions - length, with and height, or the x, y and z distances from a given origin, in perpendicular planes.
Are they trying to suggest that they are able to measure both the exact location of the target as well as its speed and direction (and don't start going all Heisenberg on me :)? If that's the case, then it should be 6-D as you need 6 pieces of information to specify location and velocity (using the proper use of the term velocity which shows speed and direction). That could be regular x,y,z cartesian coordinates, or some combination including angles and points of origin.
But in essence, it's all marketing bo****ks, in the same way as 3-D and 4-D number plates.
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hmmm now Andy thats a very difficult question to answer, now let me think first a nano second ....
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Strange thing for TFL to be trialling but it is what it is I suppose.
Interesting point, which I must admit I overlooked due to being distracted by the issue discussed. Is this simply TfL being a strategic partner in the "Safety Camera Partnership" (which is never a partnership in law), or part of a land grab to increase its funding by increasing the scope of its war against motorists?
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Hi Andy,
Yes I did chuckle at the 4D naming
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2026/march/tfl-launches-trial-of-new-radar-based-speed-cameras
Apparently its due to the radar being 4D and doing elevation alongside distance, speed and angle - not sure I'd agree with either the 3D or 4D naming for radars that but there you go there's the 4th D!
Strange thing for TFL to be trialling but it is what it is I suppose.
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4D is a somewhat creative use of language. Whilst a "dimension" in physics can be pretty much anything that can be measured, 3D refers to the 3 cartesian dimensions - length, with and height, or the x, y and z distances from a given origin, in perpendicular planes.
To say that the regular 3 dimensions are speed, distance and angle is somewhere between marketing twaddle and PMQs. Speed, distance and angle (or azimuth if you are a borderline f**ktard trying to sound impressive) are technically all dimensions, but calling them 3D is akin to selling potassium nitrate as "salt" in the condiment aisle.
The link, which appears to be mostly a lazily copied and pasted press release from everyone's favourite dartboard adornment, gives little relevant detail, and I would suggest that the chances of anyone here knowing much more (beyond than the rough flow of the approval process) are somewhat slimmer than I am.
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Saw an article on the BBC a few days ago;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6262ngvv8mo
How do these things work in both directions? Thought cameras were normally one way only? Anyone know more about them?
Also do they have to have any signage going in the other direction if there's no camera there anymore?
Any other news about them? Distance they work for, etc etc? (Presumably they won't work at all for motorcycles going towards them)
Thanks!