Study Details

Study Title: Evaluation of the Photo Enforcement Safety Program of the City of Winnipeg

Authors: Vanlaar, Robertson, and Marcoux

Publication Date:JUL, 2011

Abstract: The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) was contracted by the City of Winnipeg to evaluate the Winnipeg photo enforcement safety program of the Traffic Safety Unit of the Winnipeg Police Service. The evaluation project began in the Spring of 2008. The components of the evaluation include: 1. a review of the literature about photo enforcement; 2. a process evaluation of Winnipeg's photo enforcement safety program; 3. a public opinion poll in Winnipeg about the photo enforcement safety program; 4. an analysis of the effect of photo enforcement on traffic safety in the municipality using crash data; 5. a controlled study evaluating the impact of photo enforcement at intersections on speed and red light violations; and, 6. a controlled study evaluating the impact of mobile photo radar on speed at schools and construction sites. While the overall results from the evaluation clearly support the continuation of the photo enforcement program, the evidence also shows there has been an increase in rear end crashes at camera intersections and likely at other intersections without cameras in Winnipeg too. For this reason, a strategy should be designed that can help mitigate this increase in rear end crashes. Such a strategy can include improved signage regarding the use of photo enforcement to ensure drivers get sufficient notice when approaching an intersections as well as education for drivers about this negative side effect.

Study Citation: Vanlaar, W., Robertson, R., and K. Marcoux, "Evaluation of the Photo Enforcement Safety Program of the City of Winnipeg: Final Report," Traffic Injury Research Foundation, (2011).

Related Citations: Vanlaar, W., Robertson, R., and K. Marcoux, "An evaluation of Winnipeg's photo enforcement safety program: Results of time series analyses and an intersection camera experiment," Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 62, (2014) pp. 238-247.

Study Report: Download the Study Report Document


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Advanced technology and ITS

Countermeasure: Install automated speed camera at signalized intersection

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.87132 StarsSpeed relatedONot specifiedNot specified
0.76243 StarsSpeed relatedA,B,CNot specifiedNot specified

Countermeasure: Install red-light cameras

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.54463 StarsAngleAllNot specifiedNot specified
1.15-152 StarsRear endAllNot specifiedNot specified