Some very interesting info coming through, when photos start appearing in a month or two, they will give up valuable information so as to know exactly what we dealing with and what the actual capabilities are.
So as I understand it so far, a pic is taken from the front as well as the back, the software morphs the two together creating a 3D image which is then used to measure the length of the vehicle, as well as the height.
The number plate is read via OCR software, and compared to the info on the transponder, if fitted, length and height of vehicle confirm correct class of vehicle.
Cameras are mounted at roughly 30 degree angle, give or take.
This info opens the flood gates to valid disputes if known, as few questions remain unanswered, or maybe I missed them, but are of little matter anyhow.
Which number plate does the OCR read and take the info from, front or back? Ok on a bike the back obviously, what about a car? front or back, or does it compare the two to verify, what if there are two different plates on the frno and the back? Will the OCR pick it up and flag it, or will it assume either front or back to be valid?
So here is the drill, read the traffic ahead when approaching a gantry, find a big truck, position yourself behind the truck and gradually start closing up on it, time it so that just before you are under the gantry you have closed right up and are slipstreaming the truck by about one or two meters, once through the gantry you can break off and continue on your way, if timed properly you only have to tail him by a meter or so for no more than 5-10 sec.
As I understand it, I assume that a meter will be close enough for the system not to be able to differentiate between the two vehicles, and thus the composite image will be of the two vehicles as a single vehicle.
The cameras will see the trucks front number plate and your rear plate, thus throwing up two different numbers, being unable to see your front or the trucks rear plates.
The vehicle length will be the sum of both vehicles and the height, that of the truck.
One of two hings, the trucks front number plate is read and the info used, you get off Scott free, truck pays.
Or, system uses the info from the back plate, (yours) and you get billed for an articulated vehicle size
You could have a field day disputing this one, and it would be valid disputes.
I have been doing it foe a few days now, lets see, if I ever get any bills.
Your thoughts, am I missin something here?
Oh, and I made a point of looking today, the gantries at Giloolees, van Buuren and Rand Airport rd as well as the ones at Geldenhuis and opposite O.R Tambo do not have any equipment over the emergency lanes.