The End of Speed Cameras?

Wireless sensor project signals the end for speed cameras

Published on 28 November 2007

A potential new speed monitoring invention that is the brainchild of a PhD student from Aston University has won a national computing award.

Dimitrios Georgoulas, 27, won this year's Student Project of the Year category in The Computing Awards for Excellence 2007.

Georgoulas' project, entitled 'Intelligence-Based System for Wireless Sensor Networks', involved creating an advanced computer software system which connects to wireless sensor devices and monitors the speed of a moving vehicle or object. The name of the software is In-Motes EYE and it was designed to monitor acceleration, light and temperature variation. It works without the need for human intervention.

In theory, this could be a revolutionary discovery for speed control and have a direct affect on government laws and the motor industry. The sensors and software provide an accurate answer to speed monitoring without the flaws of speed cameras. Sensors could be fitted or built into cars, with the readings being relayed to a control centre (which contains the software), with no need for cameras. One flaw of the speed camera which does not occur with the wireless system is that cameras are unable to capture speeding vehicles if they are changing lanes.

The concept for the project was developed as part of Dimitrios'PhD research at Aston University's School of Engineering & Applied Science in Birmingham. The concept was scrutinised by the readers of Computing magazine and a panel of experts from the IT industry. Dimitrios was also tested on the project's potential to advance, improve or develop IT.

The Awards recognise student achievement in the field of Information Technology (IT) and are a highly regarded accreditation in the IT industry.

"It is a really great honour to win this national award. The awards ceremony presented a great opportunity to meet leading industry thinkers, which should secure the project real recognition," Georgoulas said.

Georgoulas' project could herald the demise of the traditional speed camera