What speed measurement is indicated by high Doppler in RADAR?

High Doppler readings in radar systems indicate the speed of a target vehicle. The Doppler effect refers to the change in frequency of waves in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source. In traffic enforcement, when a radar device measures the frequency of reflected radar signals, an increase in frequency (high Doppler) signifies that a vehicle is moving towards the radar beam. This measurement directly correlates to the speed of the target vehicle (the one being tracked) and is calculated through the frequency shift detected by the radar unit.

Understanding this principle is crucial for law enforcement officers as it allows them to accurately gauge the speed of vehicles and enforce speed regulations effectively. This specific speed measurement does not pertain to the background speed, patrol speed, or any other unrelated measure, reinforcing the importance of accurately identifying the high Doppler signal's implications in speed detection.