Sugar Land officials explain what the metal boxes with chains, poles, and cameras are about

SUGAR LAND, Texas (KTRK) -- Poles 20 feet in the air, with cameras attached to metal boxes, are popping up in Sugar Land neighborhoods, leaving some wondering what they are.

Recently, two intersections in the Sugar Lakes community in Sugar Land had equipment appear. Neighbors asked ABC13 what they were.

They were so intrigued that they took a video showing the chained metal box, attached to a long pole with cameras. One of those who was curious was Joseph Pearson, who contacted the city hall.

"I said, 'It looks like you hung some black boxes and folks are coming to me asking what those are,'" Pearson recalled. "He said, 'Oh, I didn't think those were that apparent."

It's not the first time Pearson has reached out to officials. Weeks ago, he said he called 311 with pedestrian safety concerns in the Sugar Lakes neighborhood. He said that because he's blind and doesn't feel safe crossing the street.

"I would like to be able to get around anyway that I could," Pearson said. "I'd like to be able to go to the swimming pool. I used to be able to cross Sugar Lakes Boulevard and visit my friends."

It's a trip that could come based on the devices that were on his street. ABC13 contacted city hall, and we're told by city engineering officials that they're traffic recording cameras.

The city got five of them two years ago. Sugar Land traffic engineering manager Jason Vaughn said the devices use artificial intelligence.

Based on what it finds, the equipment helps them determine whether safety improvements are needed.

"It'll recognize different shapes in the video," Vaughn explained. "The types of vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and automatically recognizes it and captures it."

Based on the data, Vaughn says it could lead to warning signs or improved crosswalks. He said no decision has been made for Pearson's street.

Pearson hopes the upgrades come as surprisingly as the equipment that suddenly appeared.

"Everybody's kind of happy that maybe something will happen to slow something down, and change the patterns of traffic," Pearson said. "We're all kind of hopeful."

City officials say these are recording devices. They aren't meant to scan and store license plate numbers. They said they're strictly for counting to help them determine traffic patterns and if any changes are needed.

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