THE GATSO TYPE 36 RED LIGHT CAMERA
The Gatso Type 36 Red Light camera is activated when a vehicle crosses over loop detectors beneath the road surface and placed each side of the STOP line, when the Traffic Light is on RED.
The camera is completely independent of the Traffic Light Signals and has no control over the phasing of the lights or duration of red or green time. The camera is powered from the bulb of the red light on the primary signal which means it cannot take a photograph whilst on amber but only when the red STOP LIGHT is actually lit.
To obtain Type Approval from the Home Office, the equipment needs to be independently tested (with equipment of a known scientific standard) to extremely high standards to measure the accuracy of the device.
The device is tested to check that it meets high standards in environmental factors such as extreme heat/cold and waterproofing.
Once in use, the device has an in-built loop check that is activated every time the camera is loaded and unloaded. In addition to this, the device is returned to the manufacturer for an annual calibration check and once checked by the manufacturer, it is returned with a new calibration certificate.
Should any problem occur within the system the camera will STOP. It will not operate any more until such time as the operator clears the system down by solving the problem (i.e. fuse replacement/end of film etc.) Immediately after solving any problem the system and loop detectors are checked again by the enforcement officer.
If a problem were to persist then the film would be rejected and the camera returned to the manufacturer for attention/repair as necessary.
A useful publication has been produced by the Home Office and is entitled “The Traffic Light Camera Handbook (Second Edition) Provisional. (A guide to Type Approval Procedures for Traffic Light Cameras used for Road Traffic Law Enforcement in Great Britain) Publication No 56/04 which may be found at the following link: