Speed cameras set to be installed in school zones across Waterloo region

Speed cameras are set to be installed in eight locations in Waterloo region this spring, with eight additional locations slated for the fall.

Regional council heard an update on Tuesday about the region's automated speed enforcement program including future expansion and a new assessment model.

This spring, people can expect speed cameras in the following locations:

• Laurentian Public School on Westmount Road in Kitchener.
• Keatsway Public School on Keats Way in Waterloo.
• New Dundee Public School on Bridge Street in Wilmot.
• Foundation Christian School on Katherine Street in Woolwich.
• Franklin Avenue Public School on Franklin Avenue in Kitchener.
• St. Clements Public School on Lobsinger Line in Wellesley.
• Cedar Creek Public School on Hilltop Drive in North Dumfries.
• St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School on Guelph Avenue in Cambridge.

The following locations are slated for September:

• Sandhills Public School on Victoria Street in Kitchener.
• Westheights Public School on Westheights Drive in Kitchener.
• Wellesley Public School on Queen's Bush Road in Wellesley.
• Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic Elementary School on Glen Forrest Boulevard in Waterloo.
• Sir Adam Beck Public School on Snyder's Road West in Wilmot.
• Clearview Mennonite School on Three Bridges Road in Woolwich.
• Elgin Street Public School on Elgin Street North in Cambridge.
• One in North Dumfries (location awaiting confirmation from township staff).

Future expansion

Staff created a risk assessment model to help identify more priority sites in the future. It's based on pedestrian mortality rate and factors that would contribute to increased pedestrian collision risk.

Currently, there's a speed camera slated in each of the municipalities in the region. North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton wants staff to keep rural communities in mind when planning for the future.

"Thousands and thousands upon thousands of vehicles are rushing through our township. Our death rate in accidents is rising. I don't need all my schools done, but I do need the main ones done that are filter roads coming onto the main arterial roads leading toward these accident centres," she said. "Don't discount the townships just because you think we're small. You have to think what we're connected to."

Currently, the region sends a photo from the radar to Toronto to be processed through that city's joint municipal processing centre.

Staff will look into whether it's possible to set up a processing centre in the region, which could help speed up the installation process of speed cameras. Staff are expected to report back to council later this year.