Laser Flashcards
What sort of beam does a laser use?
A laser is a concentration of light energy into a high intensity narrow beam.
When selecting a site for operating a traffic laser what factors should be taken into consideration?
The cosine angle
A clear line of sight
Weather conditions
Whether the operation is from inside the patrol vehicle
Movement of unit
Other factors such as sweep effect, reflection influences and night operation.
The traffic laser should not be used in certain weather conditions, name these conditions?
The traffic laser should not be operated in:
Fog
Snow
Heavy rain
What happens to the range if the laser is used through the windscreen of a patrol vehicle?
Range is reduced if used through the windscreen of a patrol vehicle.
What effect does using the laser through the windscreen of a patrol vehicle have on the accuracy of the units’s speed reading?
Range is reduced
There is no reduction in the accuracy of speed readings
Where on a target vehicle should the laser be aimed?
Between the headlights at the number plate of the target vehicle.
What effect do power lines have on laser units?
No effect
When operating a laser how can the cosine effect be minimised?
The position of the traffic laser to the roadway creates an angle that reduces the speed reading of the target vehicle.
While the angle cannot be eliminated entirely (to do so the operator would need to be in the middle of the road), it can be minimised by the operator reducing the angle to a minimum.
What effect does operator movement have on the target vehicle’s speed reading?
Operator movement will cause the laser unit speed reading to disappear.
The speed reading will return when the device is stabilised.
When operating laser devices at night-time, what additional factors should operators consider?
Night operations and headlights will reduce the range of the traffic laser.
Headlights on newer cars may also interfere with the laser’s ability to detect the reflected laser pulse.
To avoid this the operator should aim between the vehicle’s headlights at the number plate area.
Describe the effect that vehicle size and shape have when traffic laser is operated?
The larger the vehicle the easier it is to detect.
Small, aerodynamically designed vehicles are harder to detect and will be closer to the laser before a reading is obtained.
Which mode may the traffic laser be operated in? Stationary mode, Moving mode or both?
Laser is operated in stationary mode only.
What elements are required to establish tracking history?
Visual estimation of speed
Audio tone confirmation
Comparison of the digital readout with the operator estimate of speed.
