Safety Evaluation of Intersection Safety Camera Program in Edmonton

• Author / Creator

  Contini, Laura

• This thesis evaluates the safety effects of intersection safety devices (ISD). The purpose of ISD cameras is to reduce the number of collisions that result from red-light running and speeding at intersections. Typically, ISD cameras are placed at one or more approaches of an intersection and identify drivers who either speed or run red-lights at that approach. Currently, the City of Edmonton has a total of 50 ISD cameras installed at 30 intersections. The goal of this thesis is to evaluate the collision reductions that occur as a result of ISD camera installation and to identify factors which contributed to the successful application of ISD cameras. The effectiveness of several site selection criteria is also evaluated, and potential new site selection criteria are identified. The collision reductions are determined using the before-and-after Empirical Bayes (EB) methodology. The EB method controls for many potential sources of bias, and is identified in the literature as the preferred method for safety evaluations. The results showed significant reductions in total collisions as well as angle and rear-end collisions. The reduction in total collisions ranged from 13% to 25%. The reduction in angle collisions ranged from 13% to 27%. The impact of site selection criteria on collision reduction was also evaluated. Greater reduction were found at sites that had higher collision frequency. Additionally, the impact of intersection characteristics on collision reduction was investigated. It was found that lane width, speed limits, and the number of lanes had an impact on ISD collision reduction. From the results it could be concluded that ISD cameras were effective at improving the safety of the evaluated intersections. Finally, the intersection characteristics associated with greater ISD collision reductions can be used to aid in determining locations for future ISD installation.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Intersection Collisions
  • Traffic Safety
  • Intersection Safety Cameras

• Graduation date

  Fall 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R37D2QC9W

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.