Private Traffic Cam.

Fact: When I drive to work every morning, there's a shortcut I can take, which saves me 10-15 minutes driving time. The shortcut takes me away from the main road, and into some farmland.
Problem: When I get out of the farmland there's a gate that is sometimes open and sometimes closed. There's no way around the gate. Driving to the gate and back takes 10 whole minutes.
Solution (raw): Hide a 3rd generation phone nearby, with the camera facing the gate, configured for auto-answer. Call the phone in video mode, see the gate, disconnect, select the correct route.
Challenge: Prevent the field workers from finding the phone and stealing it. Recharge the battery regularly.

Curious Observation.

(from Indexed, a.k.a. indexed_feed, thanks white_lee)