Q. Can you identify these new camera-like devices are that are mounted on light poles and exit signs on 280 between highways 85 and 92? They are white, with something that looks like a solar panel attached, and were installed about a month ago. My radar detector often goes berserk when I get near one, but they don't always seem to be active.
Gary, San Jose, CA 8/07/05

A. You are seeing … and hearing … radar-type devices that have been installed along Highway 17 and other area freeways by SpeedInfo, a Cupertino-based company that forged a deal with Caltrans to place their devices in areas where there are gaps in the current 511 road reporting system. This system does not interfere with police radar, but can trigger radar detectors. It measures average traffic speed in all directions but does not measure individual cars. Caltrans will receive data from Speed- Info free of charge for a year, using it to update the 511 system. SpeedInfo will install up to 300 devices along Bay Area freeways, along Highway 101 south of San Jose to Hollister, Interstate 680 north of Benicia, I-780 between Benicia and Vallejo, I-980 in downtown Oakland, Highway 24 between Oakland and Walnut Creek, 101 north of Novato and parts of I-580 580 and Route 4. It's already in place on much of I-280. Click on http://traffic.speedinfo.com/District4Sensors/ for more information.