City recommends automated speed cameras in four more school zones

Drivers in Cambridge better be prepared to slow down or pay up as four more city school zones make the list for automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras.

The cameras, which rotate between sites, automatically snap photos of vehicles exceeding the limit and send fine notices to offenders.

Earlier this year, regional council approved the expansion of its ASE program to 32 school zones at a cost of about $1.5 million. 

The first two phases of the program saw cameras installed at various locations between 2021 and 2022, including Guelph Avenue and Elgin Street North.

In a nine month period in 2022, over 5,000 tickets were sent out from 16 locations resulting in over $180,000 in fines. 

Soon after the expansion plan was approved, city staff was tasked with compiling a list of problem locations in Cambridge, with a goal of narrowing the list down to four for the first year of the expansion.

If Cambridge councillors approve a staff recommendation next Tuesday, cameras will be installed on Myers Road, between Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School and Moffat Creek Public Elementary School, on Holiday Inn Drive, at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, on Saginaw Parkway at Clemens Mills Public School and on Avenue Road at St. Peters Catholic Elementary School.

The safety measure comes ahead of speed limit reductions planned for next year. 

That plan, approved by city council in March, will see speed limits on Cambridge residential streets reduced to 40 km/hr. Speed limits in all city school zones will be reduced to 30 km/hr.

The region approved dropping the speed limit in most school zones on its roads to 40 km/hr this week. 

To come up with the top four locations for the cameras in Cambridge, staff assessed all 50 school sites in the city, including those on regional roads, using methodology developed by the region.

The selection model is based on speed compliance, presence of sidewalk or shoulder, medians or pedestrian crossovers, number of lanes, pedestrian and cyclist activity, school type, collisions, and roadway volume.

The top 10 sites identified by staff were further reviewed to incorporate anecdotal information based on staff’s historic understanding of the areas and their unique challenges, says a report to council.

The feasibility of installing an ASE at an individual site relies on clear sightlines for the equipment to operate. Horizontal curves, vertical curves, physical obstructions, or insufficient boulevard space made some sites ineligible for the cameras.

Staff says it will work with the region and the ASE vendor to confirm the feasibility of each location.

The region has a $20-million plan to equip all 175 school zones with the cameras by 2028.

It's estimated the program would bring in an estimated $4.375 million annually once all cameras are operational.