A recent report has demonstrated the effectiveness of Greater Sudbury's automated traffic enforcement cameras, highlighting their positive impact on traffic safety. The city’s six red light cameras and six mobile automated speed enforcement cameras have contributed to a notable decrease in speed and red-light violations, leading to a reduction in right-angle collisions.
Since the installation of the six red light cameras, data indicates a decrease in the number of right-angle collisions, from 16 in 2019 to five in 2023. However, the report notes that data on rear-end collisions, which often increase with red light cameras, remains inconclusive.
For automated speed enforcement cameras, the report shows a significant decrease in operating speeds at camera sites, with a lasting effect observed even after the cameras were removed. Between the first and second rounds of deployment, over 5,000 speeding tickets were issued. Speeds decreased by several kilometers per hour at most camera locations, with the most significant drop observed on Algonquin Road, where the 85th percentile speed fell from 62 km/h to 38 km/h during camera operation.
Despite these positive results, the report cautions that collision data is difficult to analyze due to the limited timeframe and fluctuating nature of traffic accidents. Nonetheless, lower operating speeds are known to enhance drivers' reaction times, reduce pedestrian fatalities, and improve vehicle stopping distances.
Looking ahead, the third round of speed enforcement cameras is scheduled to begin in January, with "coming soon" signs posted at six locations. The city has also updated its priority list for future camera placements based on citizen feedback and other traffic initiatives. These cameras will rotate through locations every few months, prioritizing areas with the highest scores, though adjustments may be made based on seasonal traffic patterns.
The operations committee will review and discuss the proposed priority rankings and the continuation of the enforcement program during their meeting on November 18. This session, which begins at 2 p.m., will be available for viewing both in-person and via livestream.
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