Scientific basis for the strategic directions of the safety camera program in Victoria

Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #202 - 2003

Authors: M. Cameron, A. Delaney, K. Diamantopoulou & B. Lough

Full report in .pdf format [500KB]

Abstract:

The objective of this project was to provide a scientific base for the development of a safety camera strategy that will:

(1) maximise the road safety benefit of the safety camera program, and

(2) continue to build on the positive outcomes achieved by enforcement programs in Victoria over the last ten years.

A review of previous evaluation research concerning Victorian, interstate and international automated enforcement programs was conducted. The review concentrated on the way in which this research can inform the future use of new and existing safety camera technologies in Victoria. Strategic principles relating to the maximisation of available intelligence and technology were formulated. The deterrence mechanisms behind each of the enforcement programs are discussed and world's best practice is identified where possible.

The deterrence value of the Victorian safety camera program is assessed in relation to the principal road trauma problems addressed (speeding and red-light running), the number of serious casualty crashes targeted by each offence detection technology, information on likely effects on these crashes, the influence of the timing and severity of penalties, and the supporting role of mass media publicity. Community acceptance and support for the program is also discussed in detail. These elements of a traffic law enforcement program play a key role in determining the effectiveness of the program in achieving reductions in road trauma.

This report provides a valuable scientific base for developing a strategy for the future directions of the safety camera program, but the report is not that strategy. The limited information available about the effects of the new technologies, and recent changes to the mobile speed camera operations, precludes that step from a scientific point of view.

Executive Summary

The objective of this project was to provide a scientific base for the development of a safety camera strategy that will:

  1. maximise the road safety benefit of the safety camera program, and
  2. continue to build on the positive outcomes achieved by enforcement programs in Victoria over the last ten years.

A review of previous evaluation research concerning Victorian, interstate and international automated enforcement programs was conducted. The review concentrated on the way in which this research can inform the future use of new and existing safety camera technologies in Victoria. Strategic principles relating to the maximisation of available intelligence and technology were formulated. The deterrence mechanisms behind each of the enforcement programs are discussed and world's best practice is identified where possible.

The deterrence value of the Victorian safety camera program is assessed in relation to the principal road trauma problems addressed (speeding and red-light running), the number of serious casualty crashes targeted by each offence detection technology, information on likely effects on these crashes, the influence of the timing and severity of penalties, and the supporting role of mass media publicity. Community acceptance and support for the program is also discussed in detail. These elements of a traffic law enforcement program play a key role in determining the effectiveness of the program in achieving reductions in road trauma.

This report provides a valuable scientific base for developing a strategy for the future directions of the safety camera program, but the report is not that strategy. The limited information available about the effects of the new technologies, and recent changes to the mobile speed camera operations, precludes that step from a scientific point of view.

From the point of view of the first specific objective, there is scope to expand the planned operations of the new technologies to a sufficient extent so that:

  1. a general effect of the technology is achieved across the road environment on which it is applied (i.e., all freeways and highways in the case of fixed and point-to-point speed cameras; all signalised intersections in the case of red-light and red-light/speed cameras)
  2. the marginal economic benefits of the road trauma savings achieved by the general effect are just greater than the marginal cost of each increase in the technology operation (i.e., the cost of each extra camera installation, and necessary offence processing capacity).

So far as the mobile speed camera program is concerned, it has been found that the increase in camera hours from 4000 to 6000 hours per month is likely to be economically worthwhile. The influence of the operational changes to make the enforcement more covert and unpredictable, and to reduce the speeding offence detection threshold, on the marginal economic benefits is unknown. However, it is expected that these latter changes have made the program more efficient. The general effect of the program on crashes across the broad road environment is expected to continue to operate.

Thus, from the point of view of the second specific objective of this project, it can be concluded that the current mobile speed camera program should continue. There may be a case for the program to be expanded further, with economic justification. However, a decision to reduce the mobile speed camera program, in order to provide resources to implement or expand other safety camera technologies, should be viewed with caution. This may result in an erosion in the overall positive benefits achieved by traffic enforcement programs in Victoria over the last ten years.

Sponsoring Organisation: Baseline Research Program - Department of Justice, Transport Accident Commission, VicRoads