Site Selection Process and Methodology for Deployment of Intersection Safety Cameras in British Columbia, Canada

The Intersection Safety Camera Program (ISCP) in British Columbia, Canada, has proved effective in reducing the frequency of collisions at locations where intersection safety cameras (red light cameras) have been deployed. Postimplementation evaluations of ISCP conducted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia detected a 14% reduction in collisions resulting in injuries 18 months after the program was implemented. A follow-up study conducted 36 months after ISCP implementation examined the safety performance of ISCP and found that the rate of collisions resulting in injuries was reduced by 6.4%. Given the ongoing and long-term success of ISCP at reducing collisions, it was decided that the program should be expanded. To support ISCP expansion, it was necessary to examine how the program had been implemented and to learn from the results of the previous program evaluations. A critical element of ISCP is the selection of sites to be targeted for deployment of intersection safety cameras. The sites selected should have a demonstrated safety problem, such that the site will offer significant potential for improvement after an intersection safety camera has been installed. In addition, sites should he selected such that the life-cycle cost of deployment of the intersection safety camera will be less than the safety benefits that will accrue from reduced numbers of collisions and the associated costs. This paper presents the process and methodology that were used to select candidate sites for the deployment of an expanded ISCP in British Columbia.