What Is This? Highway sensor installation at checkpoint

[Parker Dean]

One of the Border Patrol checkpoints I pass through has some new construction going on. The pic below has at it's left side a pole with what looks like four camera modules. What you can't see is that there are three other similar poles, one just out of frame to the right and two on the other side directly opposite, forming a rectangle about two car-lengths long. Also, the opposite lanes have a similar installation. All "cameras" are aimed so that their sight lines intersect in the middle of the highway.

[jefnvk]

Its some sort of fast pass thing for truckers.  Keeps them from having to weigh in at every weigh station or something like that.  Explained to me once, but nevcer paid attention.

EDIT: Whoops, missed the border patrol part, and your windshield crack (should get that fixed) obscured the rest of the sign.  Dunno, probably just want video if someone forces their way through, or they discover a problem later.  Outting multiple cameras at different anles gives you a better view, as well as preventing a larger vehicle from obscuring the view at precisely the right moment.

[Guest]

The camera hits both your plates and under your car (and probably each passenger and driver). I would assume that this information is stored in a computer for future reference. Im not sure what else they are supposed to do though.

Im suprised you are just getting those, we have had them at the Bellingham/B.C. crossing for years.

[TarpleyG]

I am sure it's for the trucks like jefnvk stated.  They have an in-cab system like a toll-tag you use for the toll roads.  Helps keep track of the trucks.

Greg

[Parker Dean]

EDIT: Whoops, missed the border patrol part, and your windshield crack (should get that fixed) obscured the rest of the sign.  Dunno, probably just want video if someone forces their way through, or they discover a problem later.  Outting multiple cameras at different anles gives you a better view, as well as preventing a larger vehicle from obscuring the view at precisely the right moment.

Bah, it's Texas. ALL the windshields are cracked

Interesting thing about the mounting of the "cameras". I went through the Southbound version this afternoon, followed by an 18-wheeler. I happened to notice that the topmost enclosure is below the cab window height, just about even with the bottom of the windshield.

Personally, I doubt this has anything to do with State highway use. The pictured installation is within a 1000ft of the checkpoint while the opposite lanes are right next to the checkpoint itself. If it were State equipment then it would be about 15-20 miles further on where the State weigh station is, IMO. I think this is for one of those face-recognition systems, but why have the modules that face the rear of the vehicle then?

[jefnvk]

Yeah, I should have pulled the rest out of thre.  I seen 'Trucks' on the sign and failed to read the post fully.  I'm sticking with my second guess, that they just want viode of everyone that approached teh border, just in case.

[Gun Runner]

It's definately not one of the sensors for trucks to bypass a weight station.  Those have 2 side support poles and an iron beam that goes over the highway with the sensor mounted in the middle.  They also happen to be right by the weigh station.

[thorn]

>>It's definately not one of the sensors for trucks to bypass a weight station.  Those have 2 side support poles and an iron beam that goes over the highway with the sensor mounted in the middle.  They also happen to be right by the weigh station.<<<

exactly, they don't have cameras either, just sensors.
Ha! i bypasss weigh stations (well, the two i have to deal with) the old fashioned way=
get off the freeway and go Around! ha ha.

>>>I think this is for one of those face-recognition systems, but why have the modules that face the rear of the vehicle then?<<<<<

totally possible- figure they are also gonna snap the licsense plate photos, front and reAR.....

[charby]

Anytime I see a camera on a highway I make sure I show them who is number one. I imagine flipping the bird is somehow goign to get me in trouboe someday. I do the same thing in front of ATM and places that have cameras everywhere.

Charby

[Parker Dean]

Noticed something else today. They must have turned the things on sometime in the last few days because now you can see a red light in the top-most enclosure. It's a quick blip, less than half a second right as you pass by, and the light looks a lot like a LED type stop light bulb, only a lot dimmer.

Also, if it's for Immigration then why are the Southbound lanes covered too?

And yeah, it's too easy to ask at the Checkpoint (not that you, or they, have much time for extraneous conversation)

[thorn]

>>>>>They must have turned the things on sometime in the last few days because now you can see a red light in the top-most enclosure. It's a quick blip, less than half a second right as you pass by, and the light looks a lot like a LED type stop light bulb, only a lot dimmer.<<<<<<<

so jsut an on/off indicator? or does the lgiht do somethign?
here the red light cmaeras have a very red flash for some reason, i guess night vision.=
is this possibly some infrared addition or is the area super lit up?

>>>Also, if it's for Immigration then why are the Southbound lanes covered too?<<<

escaping terrorists, etc, non mexicans fleeing to mexico

[Parker Dean]

so jsut an on/off indicator? or does the lgiht do somethign?
here the red light cmaeras have a very red flash for some reason, i guess night vision.=
is this possibly some infrared addition or is the area super lit up?

I suspect it's infra-red illumination. As for how lit the area is at night, I have yet to pass through at night after this new construction. You can see a light pole in the pic. That pole is part of the new construction. I probably won't pass through that area in the dark until after the time change this fall.