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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus. Editor Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Robert Flynn Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Advertising Enquiries Leo Simpson Phone (02) 979 5644 Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Garry Cratt, VK2YBX Marque Crozman, VK2ZLZ Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed John Hill Jim Lawler, MTETIA Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Jim Yalden, VK2YGY Bob Young Photography Stuart Bryce SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 003 205 490. All material copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Macquarie Print, Dubbo, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $49 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see the subscription page in this issue. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 34, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warrie­ wood, NSW 2102. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax (02) 979 6503. PUBLISHER'S LETTER NSW's new truck monitoring system Most people love to see the introduction of new technology. It usually brings improvements in the way that things are done and in the long run, usually produces economic advantages, both to those directly using the new technology and to the community at large. But there are times when the introduction of new technology gives cause for alarm and perhaps, concerted opposition. What prompts this thought is the introduction by the Road Transport Authority in New South Wales of a new computer linked monitoring system for trucks and buses. The idea is that there will be 20 speed cameras throughout the state that will be linked to a central bureau at Flemington in Sydney. Four of these cameras are now operating, at Bargo, Gundagai, Wyong and Deepwater, near Tenterfield. Not only will this system's cameras be able record any truck or bus travelling at excess speeds but by calculating the time of transit between any two monitoring cameras, it will be able to tell whether the vehicle has been speeding at other times along the way. By subsequently examining the vehicle's logbooks, the bureaucrats will also be able to tell if the driver has taken the regulation breaks. Now, given that there have been a number of very serious accidents involving trucks and buses in New South Wales and other states, you might think that this is desirable innovation by a government bureaucracy. Well, I don't think it is. In order to be able to work, the system will not just photograph those vehicles which are speeding - it will have to photograph every truck and bus which passes by. I reckon that this constitutes a gross invasion of privacy. In the past, if you exceeded the speed limit, you might expect to be caught by a speed camera operated by the police. But now, if you are a truck or bus driver, you will be photographed whether or not you are speeding! And why should the system be confined to trucks and buses? Obviously, with the capabilities of a modern computer network, there is no reason why it could not be used to track all cars travelling along the highways. Now you might be fairly relaxed about trucks and buses being continually monitored but think it through. This means that all trucking operations along major highways can be monitored by the State. The possibilities for abuse and corruption of this system are hair-raising. And when it is extended, as it surely will, to private cars, the police state will have finally arrived. If you're happy with that, fine. But if you're not, take a photocopy of this editorial and send it to your local politician along with a covering note that you want it stopped! Leo Simpson ISSN 1030-2662 WARNING! SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages, you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government regulations and by-laws. Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act 1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable. 2  Silicon Chip