Skip to main content

Canberra's speed cameras to be reviewed

Road safety researchers from the University of New South Wales Transport and Road Safety Research are to review Canberra's speed cameras to determine how effective they are at preventing accidents. The capital's fixed-speed cameras have come under fire since it was revealed there has been an increase in accidents at intersections where the cameras are installed. The location of point-to-point cameras has also been criticised. The territory has 33 safety cameras, made up of fixed-speed cameras, red lig
March 11, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Road safety researchers from the University of New South Wales Transport and Road Safety Research are to review Canberra's speed cameras to determine how effective they are at preventing accidents.

The capital's fixed-speed cameras have come under fire since it was revealed there has been an increase in accidents at intersections where the cameras are installed. The location of point-to-point cameras has also been criticised.

The territory has 33 safety cameras, made up of fixed-speed cameras, red light/speed cameras, mobile camera vans and two point-to-point units.

The researchers will undertake a broad evaluation of the program including its impact on crashes and speeding, as well as how it is governed. Professor Ann Williamson says the study will consider how the system can be improved.

"Our brief is to look at the effectiveness of it. Obviously the most direct effect is to slow people down and the secondary effect therefore as a result of that, is reducing crashes and injury, which of course is the ultimate aim," she said.

"We will look at where they're deployed and whether the ACT is getting the most effective use out of the technology."

Attorney-General Simon Corbell says the cameras have been in use for more than ten years and this is the first large-scale review of the system.  "As part of the evaluation, the University of New South Wales will review existing Australian and international research as well as evaluations of other road safety camera programs to assist in identifying opportunities for improved strategic and operational management of the ACT program," he said.

Related Content

  • “Gas tax hasn't gone up since 1993: that's where tolling can come in”
    March 14, 2025
    IBTTA president James Hofmann talks to Adam Hill about new beginnings plus the need for tolling to get the user experience right, streamlining digital experiences - and what to expect from the IBTTA Technology Summit in Dallas
  • Weigh in Motion gets smarter
    January 4, 2023
    Weigh in Motion technology is at the forefront of protecting road surfaces and helping enforcement activity – but could it also play a key role in the development of Smart Cities?
  • Temporary traffic monitoring with Bluetooth and wi-fi
    May 31, 2013
    David Crawford reviews developments in temporary ITS. Widespread take-up of technologies such as Bluetooth and wi-fi are encouraging the emergence of more sophisticated, while still cost effective, ITS responses to the traffic issues posed by temporary road situations such as work zones and special events. Andy Graham of traffic solutions specialists White Willow Consulting says: “A machine-to-machine radio link is far easier and cheaper than reading characters on a plate.” There can be other plusses. Tech
  • Integrate systems to reduce roadside infrastructure
    January 27, 2012
    David Crawford reviews promising current developments. Instrumentation of the road infrastructure has grown to become one of the most dynamic sectors of the ITS industry. Drivers for its deployment include global concerns over the commercial and environmental pressures of traffic congestion, the importance of keeping drivers informed throughout their journeys, and the need to reduce accident rates and promote the safety of all road users, for example by enforcing traffic safety rules.