21 February 2008

Highway Camera Field of View Issues

Most of the NB Highway cameras fall into one of six catagories:

(1) Highway sweeps from bottom left to vanishing point in upper right. This is a standard "industrial view" it allows a close-up view of the road surface and enough narrative to understand the local weather. I would guess this meets the ideal intent of the highway camera.


(2) Highway sweeps from bottom right to vanishing point in upper left. This is essentially the same as above but from the other side of the highway.


(3) Highway runs from center bottom to vanishing point center top. This works for divided highways and for the most part gives a good view of traffic flow in both directions. There seems to be a reduction in the quality of the view of the road surface.


(4) Highway runs horizontally across field of view. This seems to be a rare choice and seems to be of limited value. Especially in winter you have a limited view of the road surface hidden behind snow banks. I assume the traffic engineers prefer the three previous catagories.



(5) Intersection. I guess this needs its own catagory but has elements of some of the previous catgories.


(6) Panorama or Scenic. OK this is not an objective catagory but it just seems that some fields of view have a greater narrative sweep than others. Especially here in NB where the images of most cameras are of barren roads in desolate landscapes. You just have to like looking at Durham Bridge, Copp Loop, Aroostook River and Welsford for the potential human contact.

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