The AECOM camera system is a mobile multi-offence detection unit operated by AECOM - an American engineering and infrastructure firm - in partnership with National Highways and UK police forces. Unlike traditional fixed speed cameras such as the Gatso or SPECS, AECOM deploys a van or trailer fitted with a gantry of multiple cameras that can detect several different driving offences simultaneously - not just speeding.
The system was pioneered in the UK by Warwickshire Police, who launched the first trial on the M6 in 2021 in conjunction with National Highways. The trial demonstrated the scale of dangerous behaviour on UK motorways far exceeded expectations. By 2024, at least 10 police forces had joined the programme, which is actively expanding. There are also plans to install the technology on fixed roadside gantries to provide permanent, unobscured monitoring of all lanes.
Because AECOM camera vans can be deployed at any location, there are no fixed database entries for this camera type. If you spot an AECOM camera van on your route, please submit the location to help build a record of known deployment areas.
How does the AECOM camera system work?
The AECOM unit typically consists of a marked police van or trailer that parks at the roadside. A gantry of multiple cameras is erected above the vehicle, providing clear, downward-angled views into the cabins of passing vehicles across all lanes of the road. The cameras are positioned to capture the driver's area and front passenger seat without obstruction from sun visors, A-pillars or dashboard trim.
As vehicles pass, the cameras capture footage continuously. AI analyses this footage in real time, scanning for visual indicators of potential offences - a driver without a seatbelt across their chest, a handheld device raised to the ear or held in the hand, or a vehicle travelling above the posted speed limit. The AI assigns a probability score to each potential offence and flags footage that exceeds its confidence threshold for human review.
Any footage flagged by the AI is then reviewed independently by at least two trained human reviewers. Both reviewers must confirm that an offence has been committed before the footage is passed to the relevant police force for enforcement action. This two-stage process - AI flagging followed by dual human verification - is designed to minimise the risk of false positives. All data is retained by AECOM for three months from the point of transfer to the enforcement agency.
AECOM previously worked with Acusensus on a fixed camera installation on the M4 in Berkshire, which detected over 7,000 seatbelt offences and more than 25,000 mobile phone offences in just six months. This was the first use of this type of technology in the UK and demonstrated the potential scale of the problem on the strategic road network.
What offences can the AECOM system detect?
Unlike any traditional speed camera, the AECOM system is designed to detect three separate categories of offence in a single pass. Each is handled differently by the enforcement process.
Speeding
The cameras measure the speed of passing vehicles using the same general principles as other roadside enforcement systems. If a vehicle is recorded above the posted speed limit for that road, and the footage is confirmed by human reviewers, the evidence is passed to the police force for standard speed enforcement action.
Not wearing a seatbelt
The cameras angle into the driver's cab and front passenger area to detect whether occupants are wearing a seatbelt. Research by road safety organisations consistently finds that around 25% of those killed in road collisions were not wearing a seatbelt - a rate that has barely changed in recent years despite seatbelt wearing being a legal requirement since 1983. The AECOM system can flag both a driver and front passenger not wearing a seatbelt from a single pass.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving
The AI is trained to identify the presence of a handheld device - typically a phone - being held to the ear or in the hand while the vehicle is in motion. This is one of the most dangerous and most commonly detected offences. The fixed M4 camera trial detected over 25,000 drivers holding a mobile phone in just six months, giving a clear indication of how widespread the problem is on UK motorways. Laws on handheld mobile phone use while driving were tightened in March 2022 to cover a broader range of handheld use, including scrolling and taking photos.
Where is the AECOM system used?
AECOM camera vans operate on motorways and major A-roads across England as part of National Highways' programme to improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme was first trialled by Warwickshire Police on the M6 in 2021, with results that reportedly exceeded expectations in terms of the volume of offences recorded.
By 2024, the programme had expanded to at least 10 police forces across England, covering a significant portion of the motorway network. The vans are deployed without a fixed schedule or location, and can appear on any section of motorway or major A-road at any time. National Highways has indicated that future phases of the programme may include installing the multi-offence camera technology on fixed roadside gantries, which would allow permanent monitoring of all lanes without the need for a deployed van.
Because the system is mobile, there are currently no fixed database entries for AECOM camera deployments. If you witness an AECOM camera van in operation, you can report the location to help document deployment patterns.
Penalties for offences detected by AECOM cameras
Unlike traditional speed cameras, the AECOM system can detect and record three separate offences. The penalties for each are different:
Speeding
- £100 fixed penalty fine
- 3 penalty points on your driving licence
- Speed awareness course may be offered as an alternative in some cases
Not wearing a seatbelt
- Fine of up to £500
- No fixed penalty points but the offence may be considered by a court
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving
- £200 fixed penalty fine
- 6 penalty points on your driving licence
- New drivers who passed their test within two years face automatic disqualification
A single pass of the AECOM camera van could result in penalties for more than one offence if multiple violations are recorded. For more information on speeding penalties read our speeding fines guide. For official UK government guidance visit GOV.UK speeding penalties.
