PROFILE KINGSTON 19which means the city would have to
sign the paperwork by next year in
order for the cameras to be installed
by 2021 or 2022.
The estimated cost to install and
operate cameras at ten intersections is
$520,000 a year. But with estimated
fine revenues at $970,000, the program
is expected to generate a profit of
about $450,000 annually.
Deanna says issuing about one ticket
a day per camera, per intersection will
be enough for the program to pay for
itself, which means the city could rake
in a bundle of ticket fines.
However, the traffic manager
dismisses complaints that these
automated cops are nothing more than
a cash grab, noting that the program’s
intent is to be revenue-neutral. Also,
she says, any profits would be directed
into traffic education programs.
The city may also launch photo radar
in community safety zones and near
schools, a program currently being
studied by the provincial government.
The Vision Zero policy has identified
seven “emphasis” areas in order to
focus resources to improve the safety
of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
They are identified as intersections
(including red light running), distracted
driving, aggressive driving, impaired
driving, pedestrian collisions, cyclist
collisions and the young demographic.
Deanna acknowledges that no
policy is foolproof, but they say
adopting a comprehensive Vision Zero
strategy is a step in the right direction.
“We know we have more than 300
people injured on our streets every
year. We’ve looked at the data, and we
know 40 pedestrians are injured every
year and on average 40 cyclists. So
these are very vulnerable groups of
road users.”
The final Vision Zero report is
expected to be presented to city
council later this summer. A separate
report and recommendation to adopt
red light cameras is expected to be
debated by council in the fall.
T
he City of Kingston posted a
tidy $3.9 million budget surplus
last year, but don’t expect tax rebate
cheques in the mail.
The city has a long-standing policy
to tuck away any operating budget
surpluses into its reserve accounts for
future capital needs and unforeseen
expenses. According to city treasurer