RADAR/LIDAR CERTIFICATION

Question 1

EFFECTIVE SPEED ENFORCEMENT PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 1
The cadet will recognize the problems associated with perception, reaction, and braking distance as travel speed increases, and will list various methods of speed enforcement, to include:

Answer 1

♦ Average perception and reaction time are considered three quarters of a second each
♦ Perception and reaction distance is equal to feet per second times () 1.5
♦ Braking distance is equal to -.033 times () speed squared/ divided by the roadway coefficient of friction (drag factor)
♦ The risk of injury and death increases as speed increases

Question 2

cont!

Answer 2

♦ Pacing techniques
• Utilizing a patrol vehicle speedometer to verify target vehicle speed
♦ Time-distance techniques
• The time traveled through a known distance is used to determine the average miles per hour (distance in feet divided by (/) 1.466 divided by (/)
time traveled in seconds equals average mph)
♦ RADAR – Radio Detection and Ranging
♦ LIDAR – Light Detection and Ranging

Question 3

RADAR/LIDAR LAWS PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 2

The cadet will explain state and federal laws regarding RADAR/LIDAR detectors and RADAR/LIDAR jamming devices.

Answer 3

♦ A RADAR detector is illegal in a vehicle that is greater than 10,000 pounds combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and used in commerce
♦ Any RADAR/LIDAR jamming device is illegal as per UCA 41-6a-609
♦ Peace officers are required to obey traffic speed laws unless operating within UCA 41-6a-212(3)(b) when engaged in normal patrol activities with the
purpose of identifying and apprehending violators.
• This does not supersede individual department policy

Question 4

The cadet will describe the basic principles of RADAR and list the following principles of RADAR to include:

Answer 4

♦ RADAR frequencies
• RADAR operates using radio waves
• RADAR travels at the speed of light
♦ The Doppler shift principle
• Used to measure speed
• Doppler shift is the difference between the transmitted frequency and received frequency
 Approaching vehicles compress the signal resulting in a higher frequency, while vehicles traveling away stretch the signal resulting in
a lower frequency

Question 5

cont!

Answer 5

♦ Properties of the RADAR beam
• Shape
 Conical
 85% of energy located in a 12 to 18 degree beam
• Power
• Influence
♦ Width of RADAR beam
• Formula for determining beam width
 Beam width = 2 times (*) the distance times (*) the tangent of one-half (1/2) the beam angle (BW = 2 × d × tan θ/2)

Question 6

cont!

Answer 6

♦ Target identification
• Visual, audio, RADAR confirmation
♦ The cosine effect
• vehicle approaching the RADAR at a angle will have an indicated speed lower than the vehicle’s true speed
• Double cosine may display higher than actual speed

Question 7

cont!

Answer 7

♦ Relative speed
• Target speed plus (+) patrol speed
• Adjusted relative speed
 (High Doppler) = Closing Speed times (*) Cosine θ
• Adjusted patrol speed
 (Low Doppler) = Patrol Speed times (*) Cosine θ
• Adjusted target speed
 High Doppler minus(-) Low Doppler

Question 8

cont!

Answer 8

♦ Relative motion
• For vehicles traveling in the same direction, relative motion would equal the difference between travel speed of the vehicles
• For vehicles approaching in opposite directions, relative motion is determined by adding the travel speed of the vehicles
♦ Target reflectivity
• Size, shape, composition
• Effects which vehicle returns the strongest signal
• The contour line of equal sensitivity relates to the location of similar vehicles within the RADAR beam reflecting the same amount of RADAR signal back to the transmitter plotted on a continuous line within the
RADAR’s zone of influence

Question 9

cont!

Answer 9

♦ Doppler audio
• The higher the audio pitch, the faster the target vehicle speed
♦ Radio and light wave interaction
• Travel at speed of light
• Reflected
• Refracted
• Absorbed
♦ Hot spot or Low Doppler
• Reflects portion of RADAR beam back to antenna
• Used to determine patrol speed

Question 10

CHECKING ACCURACY OF SPEED MEASURING DEVICES PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 4
The cadet will list the following tests, which must be used to verify the accuracy of all speed measuring devices, to include:

Answer 10

♦ Daily calibration checks
• Completed at start of shift, end of shift, and periodically during shift
• Light segment test
• Internal circuitry test
• Tuning forks test
 Stationary mode test requires using only one tuning fork
 Moving mode test requires using two calibrated turning forks
• Known speed test

Question 11

cont!

Answer 11

♦ Tri-annual calibration checks and certifications (must be completed every three years)
• Device
• Tuning forks
• Operator

Question 12

cont!

Answer 12

♦ Additional calibration and certifications
• Speedometer
• Stop watch
• Distance measuring device

Question 13

USE OF BASIC RADAR PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 5

The cadet will identify the basic RADAR effects, which may occur in both the stationary and moving mode, to include

Answer 13

♦ External mechanical interference

• Moving and reflective surface

Question 14

♦ Electrical signal interference

Answer 14

• Electrical devices and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Question 15

♦ Harmonic signal interference

♦ Operational interference

Answer 15

self explanatory

Question 16

♦ Cosine effect

Answer 16

• Formula for calculating cosine
 High Doppler equals relative speed times () the cosine of any existing
angle
 Low Doppler equals patrol speed times () the cosine of any existing
antenna angle

Question 17

♦ Double cosine effect

Answer 17

• Occurs in moving mode when the antenna is not pointed straight ahead and an angle exists between the target and patrol vehicle

Question 18

TARGET IDENTI F ICATION AND TRACKING TECHNIQUES PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 6
The cadet will list the following techniques that assist in the initial observation and identification of a target vehicle:

Answer 18

♦ Visual observation and estimation (first step)
♦ Tracking history (estimating distance and speed)
♦ Digital signal processing
♦ Patrol 5/20 or patrol 10/20 (city/highway)

Question 19

cont!

Answer 19

♦ Continuous tracking
♦ Same lane tracking
♦ Patrol speed display-lock
♦ Patrol speed blank
♦ Fastest vehicle mode
♦ Direction sensing RADAR
♦ Dual antenna RADAR
♦ Dash camera interface
♦ Doppler audio
♦ RADAR confirmation

Question 20

♦ Antenna aiming position

Answer 20

• Aimed straight ahead (or behind) and tilted slightly down

Question 21

♦ Range of beam control

Answer 21

• Tilt antenna, use hills or curves, or adjust sensitivity

Question 22

♦ Low speed combining error

Answer 22

• Increase following distance
• Turn RADAR off and on again
• Change from moving to stationary mode
• Tilt RADAR antenna slightly down

Question 23

♦ Shadowing error

Answer 23

• RADAR is erroneously using a large slow-moving vehicle to determine
patrol speed

Question 24

GUIDELINES FOR BASI C MOVING RADAR OPERATION PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 7
The cadet will list guidelines for moving RADAR operation, to include:

Answer 24

♦ Adequate training and experience
♦ Proper working condition
♦ Used in area of minimum distortion and/or interference
♦ Patrol speed is displayed on the RADAR and verified by speedometer
♦ Ensure proper operation of RADAR at the beginning and end of shift
♦ Establish target vehicle was within the beam width
♦ RADAR has been checked and certified by a qualified technician every three years

Question 25

BASIC LIDAR PRINCIPLES PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 8
The cadet will list the basic principles of LIDAR (laser) speed measuring devices, basic LIDAR effects, and the accepted methods of testing LIDAR, to include:

Answer 25

♦ Operating principle – operates with laser pulses

♦ Target identification

Question 26

♦ Officers are not required to show a violator the LIDAR/RADAR reading

Answer 26

• Visual estimation, LIDAR confirmation

Question 27

♦ LIDAR testing

Answer 27

• Sight alignment
• Known distance testing
• Internal circuitry
• Known speed testing
• Limitations of LIDAR stationary only
• Sweep effect
 Created by moving the LIDAR beam up or down on a sloped surface such as the hood of a vehicle
• Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Question 28

USE OF BASIC LIDAR PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 0 9

The cadet will list the features of modern police LIDAR, to include:

Answer 28

♦ Relative motion
• Approaching or receding
♦ Pulse measurement
♦ Target identification
♦ Properties of the LIDAR beam
♦ Target reflectivity

Question 29

Cont!

Answer 29

♦ LIDAR interaction with the environment
♦ Inclement weather programs
♦ Heads-up display (HUD) and Light Crystal Display (LCD)
♦ Rechargeable battery handles
♦ Approaching/receding tracking

Question 30

HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS INVOLVING RADAR/LIDAR
PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 1 0
The cadet will list the following health concerns associated with RADAR and LIDAR and the safety precautions that RADAR operators should follow:

Answer 30

♦ Pointing RADAR/LIDAR at aircraft
• Aircraft may interpret the signal as a threat or the speed detection device may disrupt the aircraft instruments
♦ Reducing exposure guidelines
• Operators should avoid pointing any RADAR antenna at the body
♦ LIDAR safety concerns
• Operators should not look directly into the lens of the LIDAR when in operation

Question 31

CERTI F ICATION & MAINTENANCE OF RADAR/LIDAR PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 1 1
The cadet will list the elements of RADAR and LIDAR systems that must be calibrated and certified.

Answer 31

♦ Must be tested and calibrated every three years
♦ Certificates issued by a RADAR technician
♦ Tuning forks
♦ RADAR Unit
♦ Antennas
♦ LIDAR Unit

Question 32

RADAR/LIDAR OPERATOR CERTIFICATION PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 1 2

The cadet will list the following recommendations for a RADAR or LIDAR operator

Answer 32

♦ Training
♦ Certification exam
♦ Operator re-certification every three years

Question 33

PROPER COURT TESTIMONY PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 1 3

The cadet will identify the necessary documents for a traffic evidence kit, to include:

Answer 33

♦ Officer’s RADAR/LIDAR certification
♦ RADAR unit’s certificate of calibration
♦ Tuning fork calibration certificates
♦ Patrol vehicle speedometer calibration certification log
♦ Time/distance charts and calculations (if used)

Question 34

RADAR/LIDAR PRACTICAL PTRL . 2 1 7 0 . 1 1 4
During this course the cadet will participate in a practical exercise and demonstrate
basic skills in testing and operating RADAR, LIDAR, and time distance procedures.

Answer 34

The cadet will also estimate the speed and range of at least 10 vehicles within 5mph accuracy, without the use of RADAR or LIDAR. (Note: Time-distance techniques may be utilized during this objective.)