FOI request detail

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) cameras

Request ID: FOI-2742-2425
Date published: 05 December 2024

You asked
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the technology used in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) cameras. Specifically, I seek detailed information about the following: 1. Components of the ULEZ cameras: o A breakdown of the specific hardware and components used in the cameras, particularly those that employ lasers, infrared, or other imaging technologies. 2. Use of lasers or similar technology: o Whether the cameras utilize laser-based systems, infrared imaging, or any other technologies that emit radiation or energy in wavelengths that may pose a risk to public health. 3. Safety assessments: o Any internal or external safety assessments, reports, or evaluations conducted regarding the potential health risks associated with these components or the emissions they produce. 4. Compliance with safety standards: o Information on the compliance of ULEZ cameras with UK and international safety standards for laser and imaging technologies, including but not limited to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and relevant British Standards (e.g., BS EN 60825 for laser safety). 5. Public health risk evaluations: o Any documented concerns, investigations, or correspondence related to public health risks raised by the operation of ULEZ cameras. Please provide the requested information in electronic format if possible. If my request exceeds the cost limit under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act, please inform me of ways I can refine my request to bring it within the limit. I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days.

We answered

Dear Alex Morgan

 

Our ref: FOI-2742-2425/GH

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 28 November 2024 asking for information about Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) cameras.

 

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.

 

All equipment used by TfL has the correct approvals in place to be used on the public highway. The cameras in use to enforce the ULEZ are ANPR cameras and the infra red LED array is classified as IEC 62471 Risk Group 1, which is considered to be low risk in terms of exposure. The cameras use 850nm infra-red LEDs to illuminate the capture zone and thus illuminate the number plate which the camera is looking to capture. TfL’s ULEZ ANPR cameras meet the attached approvals.

 

More details on the hardware and components used is available at the following link: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:97cffb3db0008552606664ebd5ef4ffb0becab16/siemens-anpr-alpr-camera-sicore-ii-2-brochure.pdf

We do not hold any specific safety or public health risk assessments or evaluations specifically for the use of these cameras given the relevant approvals are in place and they are considered to be low risk in terms of exposure. However, the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) considered the environmental impacts of the ULEZ, which includes public health, and can be found here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/cleanair#:~:text=London%2Dwide%20ULEZ%20Integrated%20Impact,potential%20mitigations%20for%20negative%20impacts.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

 

 

Attachments

FOI-2742.pdf

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