Regional councillors approve acceleration of Automated Speed Enforcement program
Posted May 10, 2023 02:36:04 PM.
The Region of Waterloo has found success with their existing 16 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) units in school zones.
Staff recommended to councillors in a Planning and Works Committee meeting Tuesday to accelerate the ASE program and aim for 32 cameras by the end of the year, instead of the initial plan for 24.
Commissioner for Transportation Services Mathieu Goetzke delivered staff’s report to council suggesting the implementation of the additional eight units.
Goetzke explained to the committee that in order to construct the 16 new sites (including the pole, camera housing, camera, and hydro infrastructure), Waterloo Region staff will be required to work with the ASE camera vendor and identify the optimal locations with area municipalities.
During the meeting, councillors Chantal Huinink and Berry Vrbanovic both had questions about the revenue brought in by the tickets, with the former asking when, if ever, the region intends to make a profit off of the cameras.
“So the first years of implementation were in the red,” replied Goetzke. “This year, we don’t expect revenue to cover the entire cost for this year but in the medium run, yes, we expect the revenue from tickets to at least cover the operating costs.”
The motion recommended by staff was carried, however site locations have not yet been identified.
Staff will come back in June with full, long-term report on the program, including more information on community safety zones.
