The City of Toronto’s Traffic Management Centre continuously strives to enhance the safety of all road users and improve the traffic flow for all modes of transport, and is constantly upgrading its traffic control and management systems. As the City’s roads and other public transport routes become more congested, there is a growing need to monitor the transport network and manage demand and congestion more effectively. Closed circuit television (CCTV) traffic surveillance cameras provide the ability to directly monitor the road network.
While the City has ample CCTV coverage on its expressways, CCTV coverage on the City’s arterial network is minimal. The City and Delcan conducted a study to develop strategies and criteria for the deployment of CCTV traffic surveillance cameras on selected major urban arterial streets within the City, including guidelines for locating the camera. The ultimate object was the preparation of a proposed plan for the deployment of 120 CCTV cameras within the next three years; from 2014 to 2016.
This paper / presentation will highlight key considerations in the selection and deployment of CCTV traffic surveillance cameras along urban arterial streets, and describe:
Key factors that contribute to traffic congestion in the City;
Strategy for selected deployment of CCTV traffic surveillance cameras across the City;
Review of available camera technologies;
Camera mounting options and guidelines for locating the cameras on the street;
Communications network requirements and cost-effective solutions to bring camera images back to the Traffic Operations Centre; and
City of Toronto’s final deployment plan, including the camera locations, cost and benefit estimates, benefit / cost ratios, and priorities for the deployment of the cameras.
