D.C. Commuters to be Scanned With Infrared Cameras

owlgorithm writes "Washington, D.C. area commuters are going to be "scanned like groceries at the supermarket" in order to catch single-occupant vehicles who are illegally using carpool lanes. The article, from the Washington Post, says that infrared cameras capable of detecting human skin will be installed, rather than the visible-spectrum cameras in use today. So much for using dummies in the front seat."

Interesting

[wasted]

From the summary:

So much for using dummies in the front seat.

If we get rid of dummies in the front seat, half of the cars on my way to work would be driverless.

Re:I envision...

[flyingsquid]

Put a dog in the front seat. And shave him.

I shouldn't know so much about these

[Scrameustache]

infrared cameras capable of detecting human skin will be installed, rather than the visible-spectrum cameras in use today. So much for using dummies in the front seat.

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Re:I envision...

[halcyon1234]

Forget that. I can heat my inflatable dummies my own damn self. It's called friction. And radiant heat from warm deposits.

Youngsters these days and their high-tech solutions. Yeesh.

Detects skin?

[conteXXt]

Hannibal Lecter: "Why do you think he removes their skins, Agent Starling?"

Re:Hmm...

[Jello B.]

No, no, no. You're going about this the wrong way. You've gotta put yourself in the freezer so it looks like nobody's driving. Then they can't give you a ticket, because according to the cameras, you don't exist.

Re:Interesting

[goldspider]

"So much for using dummies in the front seat."

I thought they used all of those up filling seats on the city council.

Re:I shouldn't know so much about these

[Anonymous Coward]

I remember a few epic threads on an unmentionable website about that very subject. It devolved into a debate about the relative merits of normal masturbation versus using a real doll. A quote I remember went something like, "When you buy one of those, you're pretty much making the statement that you'll never have a real girlfriend."

Also fleshlights.

Re:Interesting

[Duhavid]

The other half will have crashed already.

Re:Wait...

[martin-boundary]

This is not just any technology. This is antiterrorist technology. Which invites the question: who gave the city officials access to secret antiterrorist technology in a time of war? Don't they realize that terrorists will just use a screwdriver to unmount the cameras, and start scanning buildings and in particular female bathrooms, terrorizing innocent American coeds?

Re:I envision...

[Pollardito]

and you wonder why no one wants to carpool with you...

Re:Great

[flewp]

It would seem obvious that "living humans" would also include children, regardless of what position they're in or whether they happen to be behind or in a seat that will be essentially invisible to such detectors.)

So does this mean I can't just take the dead hooker out of my trunk, throw her in a hot bathtub for awhile, and get away with using the HOV lanes?

Re:Interesting

[The-Bus]

Well, I used to use corpses. So now I will either need to heat them, or make sure they are fresh.

Oh, the things they make me do to avoid traffic.

Re:Actually, confusing the camera is a good plan.

[The One and Only]

Remember, glass is transparent in the visual spectrum, but can be opaque in the infrared. I know this from using Thermal Imaging Cameras in houses that are on fire.

Wow, all I do in houses that are on fire is try not to die. Clearly you are several steps ahead of me.

Re:I envision...

[halcyon1234]

Not a problem. I got over-enthusiastic. She overflowed. Now, at least, I have a pool in my car.

But....

[iced_tea]

The real question is, can it detect BODIES? DEAD BODIES???

**insert evil laugh here***

Mick and Jerry

[flyingfsck]

If Mick Jagger and his ex drive in a HOV lane they'll get fined: I'm so hot and she's so cold - cold like a tooooomb stone...

Re:Great

[StikyPad]

Yes. It also means if you suspect your passenger has died en route to the hospital, you must merge back into the general lanes.

WWJD.... for a Klondike bar?

Funny.. I always thought the commercials were saying, "What Would Jew Do...?" Seemed a little bigoted to me!

Re:But....

[some damn guy]

The real question is, can it detect BODIES? DEAD BODIES???

Good idea, I bet they can, as long as they're still warm.

Still, having to kill a different neighbor every day before work would still be a pain. I mean, not as bad as D.C. traffic, but a pain none the less...

Re:But....

[Wordsmith]

Why a different one each day? Don't you have a microwave?

Re:But....

[Bloke down the pub]

But then you will be chopping up and sewing together bodies all the time

Depends how big the microwave is. You might be able to pick up one of this guy's [wikipedia.org] on eBay...

Obligatory...

[ibentmywookie]

Doctor: ... misuse of the cadavers-
Dr. Nick: I get here faster when I drive in the car pool lane.

Re:But....

[lonesome_coder]

No, but I have an oven.

Re:But....

[elrous0]

What I want to know is: If this thing is being used in Washington, DC how are they going to deal with all the politicians and lobbyists? As cold-blooded and cold-hearted as they are, there is no way a thermograph is going to pick THEM up.

Re:Definitely not a new violation of rights

[Rob the Bold]

RTFA: they are not detecting heat signatures, they are shooting IR at the car's passenger locations and judging the returned rays given previously known "reflective properties" of human skin. It may be harder, but less costly (energy wise) to spoof, especially if thin transparent coating for the head-rests with just the right "properties" can be made. No need to heat anything.

Finally a reason to upholster my car with human skin!

Re:But....

[Anonymous Coward]

You sir, owe my employer a new keyboard.

Re:But....

[Walt Dismal]

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Re:But....

[Anonymous Coward]

>Ever cooked a brat or a potato in the microwave?

You cook kids? OMG!

Re:Big Brother

[Edax Rarem]

What really boils blood is when the single passenger douche goes slow as ass in the HOV lane.