Figure 1 – Operation of Red Light Cameras
The Red Light Camera program is intended to reduce instances of motorists running red lights and hence reduce the instances of angled type collisions. Right-angled collisions typically result in more serious injuries including personal injury or death. Based on the data for the City of Windsor, from 2013 – 2017 there were a total of 7,335 collisions at signalized intersections, 0.54 collisions per million vehicles entering these intersections. During that time 873 (12%) were angle collisions, 3700 (50%) were rear end collisions, the remainder being single car collisions with pedestrians, bicycles or other infrastructure. Only 562 (64%) of angled collisions were noted by police as having disobeyed traffic control.
Should the City of Windsor wish to implement a Red Light Camera program and utilize the Joint Municipal Processing Centre operated by the City of Toronto, the City would first be required to apply to the Ministry of Transportation to obtain an amendment to the Ontario Regulation 277/99 and be added to the list of designated Municipalities. The City of Windsor would then be required to enter into an agreement with both the City of Toronto to use the Joint Municipal Processing Centre and with the vendor approved by the City of Toronto for installation and maintenance of the equipment. Contracts are done in 5-year terms, however Municipalities may enter during an existing 5 year term. The cost is pro-rated based on the number of years left in the contract, which increases the yearly cost for the balance of the 5-year term.
The current program will expire in 2022, however the City of Toronto intends to complete an expansion program in 2020. The City of Toronto intends to begin procurement of a vendor for the expansion program in early 2020 with the expectation that a number of technology changes will be made. The changes include:
The use of wireless upload and download of data from the units. Microwave sensors above ground, no loops installed in the pavement.