Sounds like a potential urban legend or at least a misnaming of some comprehensible system.

A friend of mine works in an IT department for a major tech company. Three of the people in his department were just transfered to their new contract.

They are rewiring some of the network for a highway system in California that monitors for explosives.

What are the techniques that could be used for detecting conventional materials? I can't think of anything likely to work through a vehicle panel on a highway at 65 mph. Doesn't mean there isn't such a system. I guess a neutron counter or other radiation detector might be useful for spotting the scary new SUPERTERRORISTS.

On top of the poles are two metal boxes about the size large bread boxes.

Now any idea what those boxes are?

If they have plastic windows they could be speed measurement devices. I'd be interested in driving by some, are there some examples that are closer to Pleasanton? You can always ask your highway department representative - they might talk before thinking even if it's something TOP SECRET. Mike