Fixed Speed - Only Cameras

Purpose

The introduction of fixed speed - only cameras on midblocks is one item under the ACT Road Safety Action Plan to reinforce the public’s awareness of speeding issues and reduce the level of travel above the speed limit.

Site Selection

In October 2005, the Government agreed to allow all arterial, major collector and minor collector roads in the ACT to be assessed, and if suitable, designated as traffic camera sites.

Fixed speed - only cameras have been targeted on high volume, higher speed roads where they have high visibility and crashes can have major ramifications. Currently they are installed on the Federal Highway, Barton Highway, Monaro Highway and Tuggeranong Parkway.

These major roads are already declared sites for mobile speed camera van operations. The use of fixed cameras on these roads allows the mobile vans to focus on other areas of the road network.

The sites for the new fixed speed cameras have been carefully selected, based on survey data relating to speeding and taking into account technical suitability and power availability.

It is intended that “before” and “after” speed surveys will be used as part of the evaluation process for the new fixed speed only cameras.

Operational Issues

Fixed cameras operate 24 hours, throughout the year. Images are taken of a vehicle when it exceeds a preset capture speed. Detection is performed by radar, or by in-road sensors. Equipment within the camera installation calculates the speed of passing or approaching vehicles and on detection of a speeding vehicle triggers the camera and a flash unit. The flash unit is used as the camera takes images both day and night. It should be noted that sites installed or upgraded from 2007 have an infra-red flash that cannot be seen.

Road Works

Fixed cameras will operate during road works but will not take images of motorists at speeds lower than the usual speed limit for that section of road.

Speed reductions due to road works will be enforced by police interception methods.

Speed Camera Signage

Large signs displaying the message "Speed and Red Light Cameras used in the ACT" are provided at the border on all major entry roads to the ACT. Further to this, some 41 signs are provided on the major arterial roads consisting of a “Speed Cameras used in the ACT” with a camera image. These are normally paired with a “50 unless otherwise sign posted” sign.

All locations that operate fixed speed only cameras have advance warning signage, advising motorists that cameras are in operation at that location.

The mid block cameras use a set of three signs on the approach to the camera site which show “Speed Camera 24 hours” at a 300 to 500 metres distance to the camera, “Speed Camera Ahead” at 150 to 250 metres, and “Heavy Fines Loss of Licence” at 50 to 100 metres to the camera. These signs are of a size similar to that used in NSW, and include a camera symbol and the posted speed limit.

Locations

The following sites were made operational as of 13th August 2007.

• Tuggeranong Parkway, at the Cotter Rd underpass, both directions;
• Federal Hwy, approaching the Antill St roundabout, city bound.

The following sites were made operational as of 9 June 2008:

• Barton Hwy, between Curran Dr and Gold Creek Rd, both directions;
• Barton Hwy, between Gungahlin Dr and Ellenborough St, both directions;
• Monaro Highway, between Lanyon Dr and Sheppard St, northbound;
• Monaro Highway, between Mugga Lane and Isabella Drive, southbound.

The following sites were made operational as of Friday 29th August 2008:

• Federal Hwy, between Antill St roundabout and Zelling Rd, NSW bound ;
• Monaro Highway, at the Hindmarsh Drive overpass, both directions;
• Tuggeranong Parkway, at the Hindmarsh Drive overpass, both directions.