Red light cameras will not be coming to Guelph if council accepts a recommendation from city staff but staff is recommending further study into their need.
A staff review of motor vehicle collisions in the city over the past five years found that 578 collisions in Guelph in that time period were right-angle vehicle collisions at signalized intersections.
Those right-angle collisions could be reduced by an estimated 25 per cent with the implementation of red light cameras, the report says. But staff also caution that rear-end collisions could increase by an estimated 15 per cent. It is noted in the report that right-angle vehicle collisions tend to be more severe.
A staff report on the issue heads to council's Committee of the Whole on Jan. 14.
The fine in Ontario for running a red light is currently $325. Of that, $265 is returned to the municipality. To fully fund a proposed red light camera program at four intersections in the city, a total of one violation per camera per day would be required.
“Since the number of red light violations is difficult to predict, especially in the early years of operation, the program needs to be viewed as a safety initiative as revenues are not a certainty,” said staff in the report.
In the report, staff said the number collisions in Guelph that could be reduced by a red light camera program is lower than in other municipalities that currently use them and that concerns from local residents are rare.
Staff determined it would take approximately two years for Guelph to establish a red light camera program and regulations under the Highway Traffic Act would need to be amended to recognize a new municipality.
Red light cameras are currently operating in eight municipalities in Ontario, including Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo, Peel Region, York Region and London. The municipality using the cameras with the smallest population has about 400,000 people living in it, versus the approximately 132,000 calling Guelph home.
In lieu of red light cameras, staff are recommending the formalization of a Community Road Safety Program that will include mitigation efforts to reduce the likelihood of frequent traffic infractions, as well as red light violations.
Transportation Services is currently undertaking several initiatives to increase intersection and traffic safety, including mobile speed radar in areas of concern. The department has also developed a business case demonstrating the need for additional staff resources in the division.
In the report, staff said the majority of traffic concerns from the public in Guelph had to do with speeding in residential areas and school zones, on-street parking and heavy truck traffic.
Council directed staff to look into red light cameras last May.
