Missouri will fire 'sound cannons' at drivers to deter work zone speeding

[techbeck]

Apparently the threat of a costly ticket isn't enough to slow down drivers passing through work zones on Missouri's highways, so the state is taking extreme measures to solve the dilemma. Missouri's Department of Transportation is preparing to deploy the LRAD sound cannon ? a tool (some might say "weapon") that's been used to break up mass gatherings like Occupy Wall Street ? to warn motorists that they're going too fast. The device emits a targeted, deafening siren that "easily penetrates the windshield and well-insulated cab of a car, even overriding the vehicle?s engine sounds and a radio turned up loud enough to jam to tunes at highway speeds."

 

 

The state has already conducted tests with LRAD (embedded below), loading it onto the back of a truck and sending out verbal "slow vehicles ahead" warnings to nearby vehicles. But now Missouri has committed to the technology by purchasing two of the pricey devices. Transportation officials claim that they provide an unmistakable alert about slower roadwork vehicles up ahead, and insist LRAD will only be directed at speeding drivers that haven't yet moved out of work lanes. Still, critics maintain that the ear-piercing nature of the alerts presents a clear danger in and of itself.

 

More...

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/14/5613782/missouri-will-fire-lrad-sound-cannons-to-deter-work-zone-speeding

[spacer]

I would think blasting an oncoming car with extremely loud, out-of-nowhere noise would spook the driver to the point of causing an accident. That doesn't seem any safer to me. Also, won't this potentially cause hearing damage to the people in the car?

[McKay]

"Deafening siren"

Yeah I can see lawsuits a plenty. I certainly would if had my hearing damaged. And yes suddenly spooking drivers with a "deafening" noise is ludicrous. Whoever thought up this project, and whoever approved it need to have their heads examined.

[Mandosis]

LRAD's can be insanely loud. I would be really ticked off if they tried to use those in my state.

[Andre S. Veteran]

Missouri's DOT reportedly insists the tool will only being used at safe levels

How can it easily pierce the sound isulation of the car, override all noise including loud radio, and be at a "safe" level? How will it not accidentally catch other vehicles in the way of the sound beam?

 

Just plant a guy there with a radar, problem solved.

[techbeck]

Funny they need a sound cannon when it was recently reported as mall town uses a mocked up crown vic and a dummy officer sitting on the side of the road to slow down speeders.  And this method works.

[User6060]

don't let them tell you the budget is tight and the state is too broke to help the poor. theres always money to give to buy toys for law enforcement but never any to help the citizens 

[Mr. Gibs]

Funny they need a sound cannon when it was recently reported as mall town uses a mocked up crown vic and a dummy officer sitting on the side of the road to slow down speeders.  And this method works.

And it's probably a lot cheaper too.

The LRAD method will kill people...who on earth thought directing a loud noise to someone while they're driving would be a good idea?

[techbeck]

who on earth thought directing a loud noise to someone while they're driving would be a good idea?

 

I think it will be announced soon that Missouri is the 3rd state to legalize marijuana.

[McKay]

How can it easily pierce the sound isulation of the car, override all noise including loud radio, and be at a "safe" level? How will it not accidentally catch other vehicles in the way of the sound beam?

 

Just plant a guy there with a radar, problem solved.

 

And different cars will be insulated than others, older ones will probably let noise through easily. There's too many variables. A modern car might be well insulated that you don't know if they're blasting music inside. I doubt they're going to guess the noise level and will blast the same volume at cars. There are going to be accidents.

[Torolol]

i wonder this devices usages would increases the like-hood of follow-up accident instead?

[exotoxic]

What about people with sensitive hearing??

[Rohdekill]

I would think blasting an oncoming car with extremely loud, out-of-nowhere noise would spook the driver to the point of causing an accident. That doesn't seem any safer to me. Also, won't this potentially cause hearing damage to the people in the car?

 

Drive the speed limit and you won't need to worry.

 

What they really need is a device to send a signal to the car computer and cap the speed the car could go.

So deaf drivers are deterred how,again?

[McKay]

Drive the speed limit and you won't need to worry.

 

Until someone else who is speeding gets blasted with the damned thing, swerves and takes you out. 

[123456789A]

What they really need is a device to send a signal to the car computer and cap the speed the car could go. 

 

That would be great for trolling BMWs. I would build a transmitter to hack and cap them at school zone speeds.

[McKay]

That would be great for trolling BMWs. I would build a transmitter to hack and cap them at school zone speeds.

 

Modern cars are so easy. My friend used to work with the section of the Air Force that tries to break into networks to test our own security etc. Out of curiosity when one of the guys got a new car with a computer in it that monitored everything they tried to gain access to the Cars computer. After 30 minutes of trying it turned out the computer talked to the wheels via bluetooth to record the tyre pressure etc, and once that was discovered, access was gained to the Car computer within minutes, from there it was possible to remotely activate the brakes, overheat the engine by messing with core functions etc. 

 

Dangerous stuff. They claimed the brakes could be locked independently. 

[hagjohn]

I think it will be announced soon that Missouri is the 3rd state to legalize marijuana.

 

Throw a bag of weed at the car and it will slow down.

[Xerino]

I think it will be announced soon that Missouri is the 3rd state to legalize marijuana.

 

4th, Maryland is next

[Ryoken]

How about they just fire a real cannon at them.. Bet they'll obey the speed limit when a Howitzer is aimed their way :p

 

Or just put a speed camera there, and make a killing.

[Nashy]

Modern cars are so easy. My friend used to work with the section of the Air Force that tries to break into networks to test our own security etc. Out of curiosity when one of the guys got a new car with a computer in it that monitored everything they tried to gain access to the Cars computer. After 30 minutes of trying it turned out the computer talked to the wheels via bluetooth to record the tyre pressure etc, and once that was discovered, access was gained to the Car computer within minutes, from there it was possible to remotely activate the brakes, overheat the engine by messing with core functions etc. 

 

Dangerous stuff. They claimed the brakes could be locked independently. 

 

What sort of car was it?  I work in the industry, and sorry, but that sounds like absolute crap.

[DocM]

Bluetooth can be hacked, that's a fact.

Auto electronics outfits make bluetooth modules for dTPMS (direct tire pressure monitoring systems) and keyless entry.

http://www.epcos.com/epcos-en/542852/products/product-search/technical-parameter/product-catalog/rf-saw-components/mobile-communications/wireless-lan---bluetooth-modules?t=ps

And there are iPhone and Android apps that can access the sensors.

What's hard to believe?

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

Just plant a guy there with a radar, problem solved.

It doesn't even have to be a radar.  Just put a guy with a hairdryer to scare people into thinking they actually have a radar :laugh:

 

So as others have mentioned, how does this affect the drivers around the speeder?

[DocM]

Negatively, of course.

While these gadgets are very directional they are NOT "acoustic lasers." Beam divergence hovers around 30?.

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

"acoustic lasers."

I lol'd

[DocM]

Why?

Acoustic laser = SASER, and they're real.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_amplification_by_stimulated_emission_of_radiation