Regional council looks to implement speed cameras in all school zones by 2028
The plan is to implement 25 to 30 cameras per year starting in 2024 and have cameras at all schools by 2028
More automated speed cameras could be coming to Waterloo region school zones over the next five years.
Regional councillors approved a five-year plan at a planning and works committee meeting Tuesday to expand the Automated Speed Enforcement Program to all school zones in the region.
In May, regional council approved the expansion of the program to 32 school zones by the end of the year. The plan is to implement 25 to 30 cameras per year starting in 2024, according to a report that went before council.
The report said the region has been implementing speed enforcement cameras in school zones since 2021 with the goal to lower travel speeds near schools to mitigate the risk and severity of collisions.
"It has shown very clear results with significant reductions of average speeds up to nine kilometres on average, 63 per cent more compliance with the speed limit," Matthieu Goetzke, commissioner of transportation services told councillors Tuesday.
Goetzke said the goal is to have fixed cameras at 175 school zones by 2028, adding staff are working with area municipalities to make sure all schools are included.
Goetske said also told councillors that 80 new staff members would need to be hired over the next five years to manage the cameras on site, as well as the processing and administration of infractions.
"We've made some revenue projections and are working on different ranges of projections. Even at the lower end, they're forecasted to offset program expenses during that ramp up," he said, noting information for full costs will be coming in August, including information about a processing centre.
Additional information coming to council
Several councillors however, raised concerns about not having a full picture of the costs during the meeting.
"I think this is the direction we need to go and I've been very supportive of it, but I am concerned that we don't have the full financial information before we make that decision," Coun. Berry Vrbanovic said.
As a result, staff were directed to come back to council on June 21 with additional financial information.
Councillors also directed staff to draft cost requirements for 2024 and the following budget years and were directed to develop criteria to help identify and prioritize school zones or community safety zones.
Staff were also directed to come back to council with additional information on different options to potentially implement semi-fixed cameras in the region.