UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE
Purpose Matters
Not every roadway camera serves the same purpose. Understanding what a technology is designed to do can help explain what information it collects, how that information is used, and what rules apply.
Four Questions Worth Asking
Roadway cameras can look similar while working in very different ways. These four questions can help you understand what a system does and what happens to the information it collects.
Your Local Program Follows Local Rules
Traffic safety programs operate under state and local requirements that can vary by community. For the most accurate information about the rules where you live, refer to your local program’s official resources.
Start with its purpose. A traffic safety system, for example, is designed around a defined roadway-safety objective. Other roadway technologies may serve different purposes.
Understand when information is collected or recorded. The answer can depend on the technology, program and how the system is configured.
Ask what happens after information is collected. Consider who uses it, for what purpose, and what processes apply.
Look at the requirements governing the system. Laws, agency policies and program requirements can differ by technology and jurisdiction.
Traffic Safety Cameras VS. Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Cameras
Same Questions. Different Answers.
Roadway cameras may look similar, but they can serve very different purposes. Understanding what each system is designed to do, when information is collected, how it is used, and what rules apply helps explain these differences.