Gatso Speed Cameras
Gatso speed cameras are the most common type in the UK and are rear facing; when triggered, they will flash. They may be mounted on their post (which may be reversible) or on an overhead gantry (these are being phased out in favour of HADECS3 side mounted cameras).
These cameras use radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and typically a series of road markings are placed on the road in front of the camera, often on both lanes to catch drivers overtaking or driving on the wrong side of the road. These markings may also be behind the camera. This is a good indication of a reversible camera.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it is possible to see the road markings aiding the placement of the camera.
Front of Gatso camera
Credit: Dave2084Rear of Gatso camera
Credit: Dave2084Gatso camera close-up
Credit: Dave2084Gatso Cameras on overhead gantry
Credit: Dave2084Gatso camera road markings
Credit: Dave2084Placement in Waze Map Editor
Aerial view showing road markings
Gatso "Smart Pole" Speed Cameras
The Gatso Smart Pole is another camera variant being deployed around the UK which uses the same technology as the standard digital Gatso cameras introduced in 2007 with a vandal-resistant pole. As with the standard unit, it is rear facing and will flash when triggered.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it is possible to see the road markings aiding the placement of the camera.
Take care not to confuse these cameras with Level Crossing Cameras, which appear similarly.
Front of Gatso Smart Pole camera
Credit: Twister-UKRear of Gatso Smart Pole camera
Credit: Twister-UK
Peek Speed Cameras
Peek speed cameras are similar to Gatso cameras in that they are rear-facing, and when triggered, they will flash.
These cameras can use radar or sensors embedded in the road to measure the speed of a vehicle, and typically, no markings are painted on the road. However, as older cameras are being upgraded to this new type of camera, legacy markings may remain in the road.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor.
Front of Peek camera
Credit: Dave2084- See AlsoWaze vs Google Maps | Best Navigation App in 2023Use this hidden Google Maps feature to avoid traffic ticketsTypes of speed camera in the UKTraffic and parking fines (infringements)
Rear of Peek camera
Credit: Dave2084 Peek camera close up
Credit: Dave2084
Truvelo Speed Cameras
Truvelo cameras differ from Gatso and Peek cameras in that they are front facing, since they are Infra Red, when triggered you will NOT see any flash. They may also be configured in a rear-facing arrangement, although this is not common.
These cameras use sensors embedded in the road rather than radar to measure the speed of a vehicle, and typically, the road is marked with three white lines in front of the camera across one or both lanes. These markings may also be behind the camera. This is a good indication of a reversible camera.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor.
Front of Truvelo Camera
Credit: Dave2084Rear of Truvelo Camera
Credit: Dave2084Truvelo Camera Close-Up
Credit: Dave2084Truvelo Camera Road Markings
Credit: Dave2084Aerial view showing road markings
Placement in Waze Map Editor
Watchman Speed Cameras
Watchman cameras are unique among UK safety cameras in that they are an integrated system with several sensors comprising a speed warning board and a camera, both with their radar, as shown below. At this time, it is unclear if these cameras are approved by the Home Office (and thus able to be used for prosecution).
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor.
Watchman system viewed from the rear
Credit: Dave2084Watchman camera viewed from the front
Credit: Dave2084Watchman speed warning board
Credit: Dave2084Close up of Watchman camera
Credit: Dave2084
VECTOR-SR Cameras
These devices can identify speeding drivers travelling in both directions, don't flash when they snap, and catch motorists not wearing a seatbelt or handling a mobile phone at the wheel.
They can also act as Red Light Cameras if placed near traffic lights. If so, they should be mapped as a Red Light Camera.
Average Speed Cameras
SPECS (SPEed Check Services) and VECTOR are a system that uses number plate recognition to measure the time taken between two fixed points to monitor a driver's average speed. There are several camera types in use, as shown in the images. However, only one camera type will be used at a given site.
This is not a standalone system, an average speed zone may consist of two or more cameras at entry point, mid point(s) and exit point of the monitored zone. Due to the passive nature of this system, no road markings are required.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can aid correct placement of the camera in Waze Map Editor.
| Average Speed Zones should be mapped according to the specific guidance. |
SPECS camera Type A
Credit: Dave2084SPECS camera Type A close up
Credit: Dave2084SPECS camera Type B
Credit: Dave2084SPECS camera Type C
Credit: Dave2084SPECS cameras on overhead gantry
Credit: Dave2084VECTOR camera
Credit: atrophicshiner
Monitron Speed and Red Light Cameras
Monitron speed cameras (sometimes called SpeedCurb) are a new generation of digital cameras configured as a speed and / or a red light camera.
These cameras use sensors embedded in the road rather than radar to measure the speed of a vehicle, and typically, no markings are painted on the road. However, as older cameras are being upgraded to this new type of camera, legacy markings may remain in the road.
Where aerial photography is of good enough quality, it can aid in correct camera placement in Waze Map Editor. If the camera is a red light camera, it should be placed on the stop line in Waze Map Editor.
Front of Monitron camera
Credit: Dave2084Rear of Monitron camera
Credit: Dave2084Monitron camera close up
Credit: Dave2084
RedSpeed Speed and Red Light Cameras
These are new types of combined Speed and Red Light Camera.
New RLC Camera Type
Credit: Dave2084
Gatso Red Light Cameras
Gatso red light cameras differ from their speed detection counterparts and will be triggered when driving through a red light.
These cameras use radar to measure the speed of a vehicle and do not normally have any markings on the road other than the stop line for the traffic lights.
When approving a red light camera in Waze Map Editor, it should be placed on the stop line.
Front of Gatso Red Light Camera
Credit: Dave2084Rear of Gatso Red Light Camera
Credit: Dave2084Gatso Red Light Camera close up
Credit: Dave2084
Cameras that should not be mapped
- Level Crossing Cameras
Take care not to confuse these cameras with Gatso "Smart Pole" Cameras, which are similar in appearance. Level Crossing should be mapped with the Level (Railroad) Crossing feature, one on either side of the crossing pointing towards it.
Level Crossing Camera
Credit: Moley_ukRLSE camera at Black Dyke
Credit: atrophicshiner
- Mobile speed cameras - typically situated in a van, should be reported via the app as visible police
- Trafficmaster sensors -typically in a blue or green housing on bridges or poles
- CCTV cameras - can often cover junctions, level crossing, and general highway monitoring
- ANPR cameras - typically in a grey housing mounted on lamp columns
- Other enforcement cameras - do not map bus lane, junction box, etc cameras
- Driver feedback signs
- Camera warning signs
Van mounted mobile enforcement camera
Credit: Dave2084Trafficmaster sensor (blue variant)
Credit: Dave2084Trafficmaster sensor mounted on bridge
Credit: Pauline WCCTV camera on pole
Credit: atrophicshinerTraffic light mounted CCTV camera
Credit: atrophicshinerRed Light Camera warning sign
Credit: Dave2084Average Speed Check warning sign
Credit: Dave2084
