Hey, What's That Thing?

Several neighbors have asked me what this thing is at the southeast corner of 16th and T. It has a camera, a flash, and a police department sticker on it. Is a new speed camera? Does it catch drivers who run red lights? Nope! 

This camera specifically targets oversize vehicles, like large trucks, which cannot legally traverse some of our side streets, like this block of T. According to MPD:

The District is a city of neighborhoods with many residential streets that were not built to handle the weight and damage caused by commercial vehicles. The enforcement of restricted truck and bus routes will reduce infrastructure damage and enhance quality of life in our neighborhoods.

You can read more about automatic traffic enforcement in the district and see a map of all types of cameras in the city HERE. MPD also produced a short video about oversize vehicles, for what its worth.