In radar detection, what is a “beam width”?

Beam width refers specifically to the angular measurement of the radar beam's spread, which indicates how wide the radar signal is as it propagates away from the radar unit. This measurement is crucial because it determines the area that the radar can effectively cover and the precision with which it can detect speed. A narrower beam width allows for more precise targeting of a specific vehicle, while a wider beam can encompass multiple vehicles or objects, potentially leading to inaccuracies in speed readings. Understanding beam width is essential for properly interpreting radar data and ensuring effective speed enforcement. Other options refer to different aspects of radar operation, such as the distance the signal travels or the power output, which do not relate directly to the angular spread of the radar beam.