Road design, safety and Vision Zero

[danbrotherston]

I believe that our red-light cameras are near zero-tolerance. But, as you say, that is not the expected "limit" when the sign says "50".

Depends on what you consider "near zero-tolerance".

As mentioned already, they are RED LIGHT cameras, so entering the intersection on an amber will not signal the device.  There are two photos taken, one at the stop bar showing the vehicle and the red light, as well as one with the vehicle in the intersection also showing the red light.  There are many sensors and measurements stored in the numerical bar at the top of each photo, including length of time of the proceeding amber, the length of time the light was red (in each photo), temperature, vehicle speed, etc.

If a vehicle blew past the stop bar immediately before the light went green, you would have a photo of a car at the stop bar, but the second photo of the vehicle in the intersection would show a green light.  I don't see the by-law officer signing those to proceed with that charge (even if the speed at the stop bar was such that they couldn't actually stop).

Lastly, there is a minimum speed before the system will initiate the process, and this is why when you are slowing to a stop the camera doesn't flash.  Theoretically, you could proceed at 4 km/h (I have no idea what the threshold really is) right through the intersection, and the system would not take any pictures.

Coke

This is on point. Our traffic lights already have a tolerance built in, signaled with yellow lights. You are supposed to stop if able on an amber, people who choose not to risk running a red if they misjudge.

On flashing, I'm really surprised that this is necessary. We have high definition night vision cameras, we shouldn't need a flash to take a picture.