TfNSW extends deal for mobile phone detection cameras

Transport for NSW has extended an agreement for access to an AI-based camera system used to detect mobile phone use by motorists for an additional year.

The technology supplier Acusensus said in a financial filing [pdf] that existing services could now be supplied until the end of November 2024, while “project orders” could continue until November 2025.

The government had signed on to use the technology initially for two years, with a one-year renewal which was exercised.

The agreement has since been varied twice, both times to add the option to extend by a further year.

Acusensus’ technology is mounted on trailers that are parked on the roadside. 

The company says in documentation that its technology is used “to detect and capture prosecutable evidence of drivers illegally using mobile phones whilst driving.” 

“The solution additionally simultaneously captures evidence of other dangerous driver behaviours including seatbelt non-compliance and speeding (at a point or averaged over a distance),” it states.

TfNSW further states that the system comprises “a number of cameras and an infra-red flash to capture clear images of passing vehicles in all traffic and weather conditions.”

“Artificial intelligence software automatically reviews images and detects potential offending drivers,” the government states.

“Images of possible offences are first verified by the vendor delivering the program. This check is completed by trained and approved staff using a secure network. The reviewed images are cropped and pixelated to remove information that would identify your vehicle or its location.”

Vendor-detected offences are then verified by TfNSW, before being sent to Revenue NSW to issue fines.

It adds that “images rejected by the artificial intelligence are permanently and irretrievably deleted, typically within an hour of detection.”