Apeldoorn, 9 January 2007 by Jouke Schaafsma

A special moped-detector, containing cameras and a microphone, should make an end to all the scooters and motorbikes within pedestrian-zones and bicycle-tunnels. On the order of the city of Apeldoorn, Sound Intelligence, a corporation located in Groningen, came up with a camera-system based on the sounds of scooters and mopeds.

The device, which is the first in the world according to the makers, will be used in almost finished new bicycle- and pedestrian-tunnels and in the railway-region of Apeldoorn. "We just don't want the burden of scooters in the tunnel", says a spokesman of the city of Apeldoorn. 

Moped-drivers caught in this forbidden area will get a ticket. The camera also records license plate numbers, so the offender will be caught easily. Other cities have shown interest as well.

"It could also be used in pedestrian-areas or for example industrial areas. Scooters are often used to get away fast after a theft. Guards would like to be alarmed when a scooter is suddenly surfaces on an industrial territory." says Derek van der Vorst from Sound Intelligence. The moped-detector in a tunnel in Apeldoorn contains microphones which determine the specific tones a moped or scooter produces.

Source: De Telegraaf, 9 January 2007

Source: RTV Noord, 9 January 2007