City Council Approves Automated Speed Enforcement In Designated Community/Safety Zones

City Council approved implementing automated speed enforcement in selected designated Safety Zones and/or Community Safety Zones in Peterborough with four speed enforcement cameras in 2025/2026 for an initial two-year period during their meeting on Tuesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is a technology-enabled enforcement tool comprised of a camera and a speed measurement device. It enforces the maximum posted speed by capturing photographs of vehicles exceeding it.

In Ontario, ASE cameras are strategically positioned in School Zones (SZs) and Community Safety Zones (CSZs) to promote and improve community traffic and pedestrian safety. Offences captured by ASE systems are reviewed and certified by Provincial Offences Officers and issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. This enforcement tool aims to reduce vehicles' excessive speed and complement existing educational, engineered, and other speed reduction measures.

A review of research studies on the effectiveness of ASE programs, published by Ontario municipalities, shows that ASE is an effective tool for reducing a driver’s speed and improving community safety. The municipalities in the review included the City of Ottawa, the City of Guelph, and the City of Toronto. 

Staff proposes a phased deployment, securing four cameras in 2025/2026 for an initial two-year period. This approach will allow staff to validate site selection, compliance rate, camera rotation logistics, cost/revenue, and provide the opportunity to evaluate the program to inform future expansion.

The Ministry of Transportation Ontario has the final decision-making power regarding a municipality's ability to operate an ASE program. This decision is ultimately based on necessity and a demonstrated need for that municipality to reduce traffic or speeding incidents within its jurisdiction.

In June 2023, Council approved a City-wide speed limit reduction in school areas and the implementation of Community Safety Zones (CSZs) at 30 elementary and secondary schools within its jurisdiction. Results of a post-implementation vehicle speed and compliance study revealed an average operating speed reduction of 6.5 km/h. However, the average operating speed is 11.5 km/h above the 40 km/h posted speed.

Implementing an Automated Speed Enforcement program in school areas and Community Safety Zones will cost approximately $489,000, funds for which are available in the uncommitted balance of the approved 2025 Capital Budget for Red Light Camera—Automated Speed Enforcement says the City.

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