Wrangell police have recently received what Chief Gene Meek hopes will be the first of multiple lidar speed detectors.

The device is lightweight and compact, and doesn’t require the cumbersome antennas and wiring typical of the standard radar equipment used for enforcing speed limits.

Meek said he looks forward to testing the device personally in the coming weeks in multiple areas on and near Zimovia Highway.

And, while speeding isn’t exactly a major problem, it is something to watch for, especially in certain areas where children are present, he said.

Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, is used by law enforcement to measure vehicle speeds and enforce traffic laws.

It offers advantages over traditional radar, including greater precision in multi-lane traffic and the ability to track specific vehicles through obstructions. Advanced lidar systems can be integrated with artificial intelligence for real-time traffic flow analysis and crash prediction.

Devices work by emitting laser pulses that bounce off moving objects, like vehicles. By precisely measuring the return time and changes in reflected light, the device can determine a vehicle’s speed.

Meek said the method provides a highly accurate speed reading, crucial for enforcement and providing more courtroom credibility. He noted the device is accurate up to a half mile.

The device cost about $2,500 and was purchased with department funds.

“I’m going to be testing it out and deciding whether or not we will get more,” Meek said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to want more.”

Meek said the department’s radar equipment is aging and increasingly costly to maintain, and finding certified technicians to repair older gear has become more difficult.

“This removes the guesswork for officers who may be dealing with multiple vehicles in one area,” he said. “The lidar is so much more accurate that it makes it more certain which vehicle is getting clocked.”