Page 1828 - Week 06 - Thursday, 14 May 2015
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In relation to the development of a speed camera strategy, work had been progressed in 2012-13 on a draft road safety camera strategy document, which was based on making no significant change to the current arrangements until the existing program was evaluated. Finalisation of that strategy was deferred so that the evaluation of the camera program could be completed to ensure that the strategy would be evidence-based and address the issues raised by the audit report and the evaluation.
The ACT road safety camera strategy, which I am releasing today, was informed by the University of New South Wales evaluation of the ACT’s camera program. It addresses the issues raised by the Auditor-General and sets clear objectives for each of the camera types used in the ACT road safety camera program. It also outlines how the effectiveness of the cameras will be improved, measured and monitored to inform future decisions about their use.
One policy change outlined in the strategy is in relation to the fixed mid-block cameras. The original proposal for the use of these cameras in the ACT was based on using them on mid-block sections of road with a history of crashes or high speed offences, consistent with research at the time that the cameras could achieve a local effect at such sites. This is not the basis on which they were subsequently deployed, with the existing sites being selected based on survey data relating to traffic volumes and speeding, and environmental and technical suitability.
The siting methodology for the existing mid-block cameras was intended to provide a general deterrent across the network. However, as noted in the Auditor-General’s report, the fixed mid-blocks cannot be used to achieve this effect unless there is a high density of cameras. The audit report indicates this would require one camera for every four kilometres of road.
Any new or relocated fixed mid-block cameras will be deployed in the ACT in accordance with the objective to address locations with a known crash history or that are identified as being high risk. This approach is supported by the University of New South Wales evaluation report, which confirmed the mid-block cameras as having a limited localised effect, rather than a capacity to influence driver behaviour across the road network.
The government will commission an appropriately skilled independent consultant to develop a methodology for identifying locations that are high risk or have a high frequency and severity of crashes for possible future deployment of fixed speed cameras. The government will not relocate any existing fixed mid-block cameras pending the development of an appropriate methodology, which may identify more suitable locations for their operation. Any consideration of relocation of the existing mid-block cameras will take account of the remaining life span of the cameras.
Existing mid-block cameras will be retained at their existing locations as they continue to contribute to localised speed management at these sites. This benefits road safety by reducing the increased crash risk that is known to be associated with higher levels of speed. Retaining the cameras provides a 24-7 enforcement capability at these sites which would otherwise need to be enforced by police or mobile cameras.
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