Understanding types of traps, and confidence ratings
Part of getting the most out of Trapster is understanding the different trap types and confidence levels that we use on the web and in the mobile applications. We've created a system that uses various icons and colors to denote different trap types, ie. red light cameras, and their associated user confidence level, so that you can visually add and identify the right traps.
Given that Trapster's application is only as good as the data that our community members (that's you) provide us, we think its important to dissect all the different trap types. At the end of the day we want you to feel confident that you're adding the right trap to the right location, or getting the most accurate speed trap notifications.
Confidence Levels
Green Trap Icons: Traps with a green icon indicate
that the particular trap has been reported, but it has not been
verified. The green color indicates a low confidence level because it
has yet to be voted on, or confirmed, by users. Once a user votes
using the "Thumbs Up" icon (in mobile applications this is sometimes a
Yes or No option) on the Trapster Trapmap, or via a mobile
application, the color will change.
Yellow Trap Icons: Traps with a yellow icon
indicate that the trap in question has been been verified by another
user. Once another user takes an action to vote their approval on a
green trap, the trap icon will change from green to yellow. When you
see yellow traps in Trapster, you can have a little more confidence
that these are accurate trap locations. Should you agree or disagree,
make sure to add your vote by rating the trap yourself.
Red
Trap Icons: This is the highest level of confidence because
more users have voted to approve this particular trap. Traps with a
red icon indicate the majority of Trapster users agree that this is a
legitimate trap. Of course, your vote matters too, so whether you
agree or disagree, make sure to add your vote.
Gray
Trap Icons: Traps with a gray icon indicate the majority of
Trapster users do not believe that this is an accurately reported
trap. Since most of the votes are negative, gray traps have a very low
confidence level, and though they remain in the system, you won't have
to worry about receiving mobile notifications for them.
Live Police Trap
Live Police Traps
indicate an active sighting of a police speed trap, or a police
vehicle currently observing traffic. Examples of an accurately
reported live police trap include police with a radar or laser trap
set up, a motorcycle cop with a radar gun, an officer parked on a
freeway or on-ramp, or a cruiser hiding near a stop sign to catch
vehicles not coming to a complete stop.
Live Police Traps automatically expire after one hour, unless other
users confirm the live police trap with a positive vote. When
reporting a Live Police Trap just remember that the trap should be a
live speed trap, so it needs to be actually in progress, and
potentially a threat to other drivers.
Known Enforcement Point
Do you know where
the cops often camp out in your hometown, neighborhood, or metro area?
You can use this knowledge and add Known Enforcement Point traps to the
Trapmap on the web or from your phone to alert other drivers just
passing through.
We tend to see Trapster users reporting hiding spots in abundance, so
before you add a new trap, check your surrounding area on the Trapmap
for existing hiding spots. You can then add your vote of approval to
the traps you believe are frequent hiding spots.
Confirmed hiding spots (ie. Known Enforcement Point traps) remain in the system for 3 weeks from the last confirmation, unless they are voted down by a
majority of users who disagree with the reported trap.
Red Light Camera
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| This is a red light camera | This is not a red light camera |
We've all
come to loathe red light cameras, you know those cameras that sit
alongside tricky stop lights and capture photos of us as we
accidentally (hopefully) run a red light. These are the worst, because
they typically come with a hefty fine and there's very little we, as
citizens, can do to dispute them.
But please be careful not to confuse regular traffic surveillance cameras, found at almost every intersection in metro areas, with actual photoenforcement red light cameras that issue violations. The ones that issue violations have a large box that is the flasher unit. Those are valid Trapster entries. The small ones that are about the size of a big zucchini are not valid Trapster entries.
Red Light Camera traps will remain on the Trapmap
unless a majority of users vote their disapproval on any given trap.
Of course we'd love it if you reported and voted on all red light
cameras in your area (you can use Street View in the Trapmap to
confirm). By doing so, you'll help other Trapster users avoid these
expensive traffic tickets.
Speed Camera
These fixed photo
enforcement speed cameras are typically mounted on poles and monitor
your speed as you cruise on the freeway, speedway, or highway. That's
right, these little buggers are capturing your speed and will cost you
a pricey ticket should you exceed the speeding limit by 10 mph or
more.
Unfortunately, more and more speed cameras are being installed across the globe (right now they're popular in Europe but they're starting to show up stateside), so make sure to use Trapster to receive audio alerts, and return the favor by identifying and reporting these cameras when you see them on the road. Just like the rest of fixed traps, Speed Camera traps will remain on the Trapmap unless a majority of users vote their disapproval. Speed cameras are certainly not a friend to drivers, so we hope you'll take the time to add and vote on these devilish traps.
Mobile Speed Camera
Mobile speed cameras are just like speed cameras, but
they travel inside moving vans. These vans typically park on the side
of the road to capture moving violations in photo form as motorists
drive by.
Though not as prevalent as other speed traps, mobile speed vans are
becoming more common, with usage already in the United States,
Australia, and United Kingdom.
So if you spot one of these sneaky vehicles trying to monitor speeding traffic on your commute, use the Trapmap and select Mobile Speed Camera as your trap type. Of course, you can also vote your approval or disapproval on existing traps in the system. Since these vans are mobile, and we work hard to keep information accurate and current, Mobile Speed Camera traps are live in the system for 2 hours after the last confirmed report.
Mobile Speed Camera Often Seen Here
Do you know where mobile speed camera vans often camp out in your hometown, neighborhood, or metro area? You can use this knowledge and add Mobile Speed Camera Often Seen Here (MSCOSH) traps to the Trapmap on the web or from your phone to alert other drivers.
We tend to see Trapster users reporting hiding spots in abundance, so before you add a new trap, check your surrounding area on the Trapmap for existing hiding spots. You can then add your vote of approval to the traps you believe are frequent hiding spots. Confirmed hiding spots (ie. MSCOSH traps) remain in the system for 3 weeks from the last confirmation, unless they are voted down by a majority of users who disagree with the reported trap.
Combo Camera
Combo cameras are
exactly what they claim to be: combined red light and speed photo
enforcement cameras. It follows then that these combo cameras will nab you for both running
a red light and speeding while doing so.
Trapster treats Combo Camera traps like most of the others, so reported traps will remain on the Trapmap unless voted down by other users. As always, you can add Combo Camera traps from the web or your mobile application, and vote your approval or disapproval as well.
EV Charging Stations
Do you own an electric vehicle and need to know where charging stations are? Well Trapster has you covered! Report EV charging stations and help our earth stay green.
Road Hazard
If you see objects or other obstructions on the road use this trap. For example a mattress or stalled car. These traps expire 1 hour after the last confirmed vote of approval.
School Zone
This trap signifies a School Zone. These static traps do not expire and represent an area on a street near a school or near a crosswalk leading to a school that has a likely presence of pedestrians.
Children at Play
If you see children at play at such places as parks, playgrounds, schools, and cul-de-sacs, make sure to marke it on the trapmap using our Children at Play sign. These traps expire 2 hours after the last confirmed vote of approval.
Car Accident
We've all seen one and maybe even been in one, car accidents. They cause traffic, mayhem, and lots of headaches. If you see a car accident help other users by reporting it right away. These traps expire 2 hour after the last confirmed vote of approval.
Construction Zone
Construction zone, roadwork, anywhere the roads are being worked on that causes backup, congestion, and even dangerous road conditions. These traps expire 5 days after the last vote of approval.
Dangerous Curve
Just as the name of this trap states, dangerous curve. These traps do not expire. However, please be as accurate as possible when reporting traps. We have a team of trapologist here at Trapster that review all traps to make sure they're accurate with the help of google maps.
Dangerous Intersection
You know those intersections, common accidents spots or treacherous conditions that add up to a dangerous intersection.These traps are static and will remain on the map until voted down by numerous users.
Brush Fire
If you happen to spot a brush fire while driving, make sure to report it using this trap. Brush fire traps expire 6 hours after the last vote of approval.
Flooded Road
Flooded road signs expire after 6 hours of the last positive vote.
Ice on Road
Let other users know about icy road conditions with this trap. Ice on road traps expire 4 hours after the last positive vote.
Narrow Bridge
Let other users know about narrow bridges ahead. Especially, helpful for travelers or users new to the area.
Road Closed
Warn drivers of closed roads. These traps last up to 6 hours after the last positive vote.
Road Kill
Not the prettiest thought but road kill can make for a very dangerous road condition and accident. See a dead animal on the side of the road or in the road make sure to let other users know. Road kill traps expire after 6 hours of the last positive vote.
Toll Booth
Let users know of upcoming toll booths, toll roads, or toll stations ahead with this trap.
Creative Commons photos from Flickr: live police photo from gdoolittle, police hiding spot photo from unprose, red light camera photo from functoruser, speed camera photo from DG Jones, and police checkpoint photo from dietrich