Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a)
Method. An electronic
device governed by this subchapter shall be calibrated and tested as follows:
(1) Establish a measured 1/4-mile course with
a tape, preferably on a relatively flat and straight roadway.
(2) Run through this 1/4 mile with both the
time and distance switch on at the beginning and the turn switch off at the
end. Push the distance recall button. Distance will be displayed to the nearest
ten thousandths of a mile-that is, .2500. If calibration is correct, reading
should be within + or - 1%, or + or - .0025 mile.
(3) If calibration is out, recalibrate
according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
(4) A course other than a 1/4-mile course can
be used, but not less than 1/10 mile.
(5) Run through the measured course of 1/4
mile with both the time and distance switch on at the beginning and off at the
end. Push the distance recall button and record the actual distance in the
unit-that is, .2504.
(6) There is
now an accurate fixed distance in the machine that is within the + or - 1%
tolerance. With the aid of a stopwatch, check the accuracy for the vehicular
speed desired by turning the red time switch on the speed will be displayed.
This can be compared with the calculated speed described in paragraph
(7).
(7) Average speed is distance
divided by time. With the use of a handheld calculator, divide the distance by
time and multiply by 3,600 to convert seconds into hours. Use the time recall
button to get the time in seconds. Also use the actual course measured
distance-that is, .2500 miles-in the calculations.
Example:
Do not touch the distance switch after running the 1/4
mile course. By pushing the recall button, it should indicate a distance of
.2504. Enter a nominal 15 seconds with the time switch which is checked with
the time recall. It actually will be 15.10 and a speed display of 59.7 mph. Now
calculate the average speed using actual time and actual distance.
Click to view image
This compares very favorably with the speed reading of
the unit 59.7 (.17%). This procedure should be used for other speeds by varying
the time input to the unit.
(8) High speed running checks may be made
checking against the calibrated speedometer of the vehicle. To do this, drive
the vehicle at a specific speed. Turn both time and distance switches on. Wait
5 seconds and turn both switches off. The speed will be displayed.
(b)
Maintenance
work-order. A maintenance work-order containing the following
information shall be completed and accompany the electronic device:
(1) The serial number of the
device.
(2) The work performed and
the date of the work.
(3) The
original complaint.
(4) The actual
work performed.
(5) The amount of
time taken in repair of the unit.
(6) The stock numbers of the equipment
replaced.
(c)
Calibration forms. Certificates of accuracy, provided by the
Department, shall be filed for electronic devices calibrated and tested as
follows:
(1) The original and a duplicate
shall accompany the electronic device.
(2) One duplicate copy shall be retained by
the maintenance and calibration station for at least 2 years.
(3) A duplicate copy, executed and signed in
the same manner as the original, has the same force and effect as the
original.
(d)
Testing forms. Technical data forms, provided by the
Department, shall be filed for electronic devices tested as follows:
(1) One original shall accompany the
electronic device.
(2) Two
duplicate copies shall be retained by the maintenance and calibration station
for at least 2 years.
(3) A
duplicate copy, executed and signed in the same manner as the original, has the
same force and effect as the original.
(e)
Equipment, timing strips and
other devices. The calibration and testing of equipment, timing strips
and other devices actually used with a particular electronic
device-nonradar-shall be performed under the specifications provided by the
manufacturer of an approved device using equipment specified by the
manufacturer or equivalent substitute equipment.
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code §
105a.4 (relating to system and
speed timing device use and
certification).
