New cameras on motorways, bridges and roundabouts across Co Cork have left drivers baffled.
Some motorists feared the mystery devices were being used as speed cameras, but it has emerged that they are merely being used for a traffic flow analysis.
The cameras are recording how traffic builds, moves and clears for a period of seven days, with the results used for future planning decisions, Cork Beo reports.
The survey cameras are not being used to catch out drivers or to enforce any traffic laws.
A sign that accompanies the cameras states that the cameras are used "for the purposes of collecting roadside video footage, for retrospective analysis to establish traffic flow statistics.
"The equipment is not used to enforce any traffic laws."
The cameras are also GDPR compliant, with data "routinely deleted after a period of three months unless there is a legitimate reason for retention.
The cameras are operated by Tracsis, who are "a leading provider of transport surveys, passenger analytics, event traffic management and GIS location data".
In January, a study from Sat-Nav company Tom Tom found that Cork commuters lost an average of 170 hours in the last year driving in rush hour in and around the city.
The study found that Cork city has worse traffic congestion than major world centres like Hong Kong, Berlin and Sydney.
The study ranked Cork as the 75th most congested city globally, with a congestion level of 33% - over the 29% global average. In terms of cities of a similar size, Cork was the 13th most congested in the world.
