Strange New Cameras Popping Up In the Hudson Valley Explained

Strange looking devices have been spotted across the Hudson Valley, confusing many local residents about their purpose. Finally, we have an answer.

The devices, which look like a mix of a suitcase that people handcuff to their wrists in a Hollywood movie and a covert surveillance camera, have been recently installed at multiple locations in Poughkeepsie, NY. This isn't their first appearance in the Hudson Valley, however.

Cameras and monitoring equipment have been popping up across the Hudson Valley, NY. But what is it for? (TSM Poughkeepsie)

Monitoring Devices in the Hudson Valley, NY

While these devices may almost blend into the background in an urban area like Poughkeepsie, they stuck out like a sore thumb recently on a rural road in Ulster County, NY (below). But what are these devices actually doing?

These cameras aren't just limited to urban areas. This installation was found on a country back road in Ulster County, NY (TSM Poughkeepsie)

Traffic Monitoring in Poughkeepsie, NY

Closer investigation at the corner of Route 9 and Edvard Beech Drive near the entrance of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY revealed the purpose behind the technology. Miovision scout, read the text on the outside of a waterproof box attached to a nearby road sign (below). A quick Google search revealed more about the company.

The traffic monitoring devices currently in Poughkeepsie, NY are data collection cameras from a company called Miovision (TSM Poughkeepsie)

Miovision's Scout product is described as "a fully connected, industry-leading, portable, camera-based traffic data collection device". The scout (along with many other of Miovision's products) can monitor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic and turn the information into usable data for towns, cities, and private entities(like Marist College) for future planning. It also isn't the only monitoring system in the Hudson Valley.

Vehicle Classifiers like this tube system from MetroCount is another way to monitor local traffic (TSM Poughkeepsie)

For years, commuters have noticed what's been described as "mystery tubes" across many local roads (above). In contrast to the cameras that Miovison uses, this "Vehicle Classifier System" utilizes sensors inside weatherproof tubes that can decipher vehicle type, speed, and traffic based on its readings.

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While the data collected by Miovision may or may not be eventually shared with the public, New York residents have the ability to watch live feeds of many public traffic cameras. Watch through the eyes of New York State Thruway cameras here, and check out the most dangerous roads in the state below.