Mobile photo speed-enforcement ‘tripod' unveiled in Arizona

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. -- The latest and most versatile Redflex Traffic Systems photo enforcement technology, the REDFLEXspeed® mobile tripod system, will be unveiled Tuesday in Prescott Valley as part of a progressive public safety partnership to curb dangerous driving.

The REDFLEXspeed® mobile tripod- a small, wireless digital camera system deployed similarly to the mobile photo speed-enforcement vans used by Prescott Valley Police - is expected to give officers greater flexibility in effectively enforcing speed limits along state routes 69 and 89A.

Prescott Valley's deployment of the Redflex "tripod" marks the first-ever use of such automated speed-enforcement technology in Arizona. Redflex engineers originally developed the compact system for police in Australia.

The REDFLEXspeed® mobile tripod includes two high-megapixel digital cameras, two portable flash units, speed-detection radar and a central computer which stores and securely transmits suspected speed violations for police review. The cameras capture images of the front (driver's face) and rear (license plate) of vehicles that trigger the device passing through the radar over the enforcement threshold at 11 mph or over the posted speed limit.

The less than 30-pound mobile unit is designed for use on tighter roadways, such as sections of the state routes in Prescott Valley, where traditional police deployment or mobile speed van deployment is challenging because of limited access, physical barriers or rough terrain. The mobile tripod is easily portable. It can also be wired to a mobile photo-speed enforcement van or strategically deployed to support other speed-enforcement units.

High speed drivers on state routes 69 and 89A have long been a focus of Prescott Valley Police speed enforcement. The town expanded its photo enforcement program last fall by installing fixed speed enforcement cameras on the state routes to complement mobile speed vans.