The results from a pilot project confirm what many residents already know – speeding is a problem in Norfolk County.
Article content
Data from a test of automated speed enforcement, a system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to help enforce speed limits, were presented at a council-in-committee meeting on Oct. 11.
Article content
“The ASE pilot was conducted over the summer months of 2023 at four locations,” said a report prepared by Mike King, Norfolk’s director of engineering. “It is clear from the results that speeding is an issue at a few of these locations.”
The results:
- Camera at 118 Bay St. in Port Rowan from July 10 to 17. Of 21,625 vehicles, 86 per cent were in compliance with the speed limit. There were 3,064 speed violations.
- Camera at 648 Norfolk St. in Simcoe from July 17 to 24. Of 36,580 vehicles, 65 per cent were in compliance. There were 12,780 speed violations.
- Camera at 638 Main St. in Port Dover from July 24 to 31. Of 50,053 vehicles, 95 per cent were in compliance. There were 2,413 speed violations.
- Camera at Cockshutt Road, north of Lynn Dover Drive – Port Dover from Aug. 1 to 8. Of the 17,281 vehicles, 50 per cent were in compliance. There were 8,629 speed violations.
Article content
Andrew Grice, general manager infrastructure and environmental services, said the pilot project was conducted to “collect data to inform our future decisions.” He said the cameras’ “trigger point” was set at 10 kilometers over the posted speed limits to collect the data.
Grice said data from the OPP’s speed watch program shows “very similar trends.”
Although Grice said “there’s no doubt automated speed enforcement works,” there are some challenges to using the system. Among them are:
- The program tends to be revenue neutral (or negative) due to high installation costs, fees required for processing, and licensing per the Provincial Offenses Act.
- Signage is required in advance and at camera locations.
- The units work best on roads with only one lane of traffic in each direction.
- There is a high rate of camera vandalism.
Article content
In his report, King said “one of the biggest stumbling blocks to implementing automated enforcement is the processing of violations, along with the impacts on the court system.”
“I don’t care about it being positive revenue,” said Coun. Kim Huffman. “I’m concerned about the safety of our residents.”
Coun. Adam Veri, who represents Port Dover and Renton, said speeding is the “No. 1 issue I hear about in my ward.”
Councilors approved a recommendation that $20,000 for an automated speed enforcement project be included in the 2024-2033 capital plan. The project involves participation in a study with neighboring municipalities, including the City of Brantford, about how to best administer the processing side of the camera program.
Norfolk staff will also continue to investigate a potential partnership with Local Authority Services, which is working with the City of Barrie. That program has two provincial offenses officers processing speed camera violations on behalf of the municipality.
Grice said a camera program should be in place sometime in late 2024.
Share this article in your social network