Cameras designed for traffic control collect data on vehicle types and volume but don't retain images or video. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

VEHICLE VOLUMES

Traffic control cameras replacing aging, prone-to-failure induction loops

Apr 5, 2021 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — Local intersections are continuing their path into the 21st century with a new way of monitoring and documenting traffic volume.

Since coming online in early 2020 at a pair of locations, new image capture devices were included during infrastructure upgrades on Bowen Rd., at Labieux St. and Kenworth St.

Jamie Rose, City manager of transportation, told NanaimoNewsNOW the cameras replace the induction loops buried under the road surface which help manage traffic flows.

“The data we receive is quite similar to what we would have received previously, it’s numbers and things like that but it becomes a lot more consistent. We’ve found over the years with the loops is that as they age they tend to fail by not picking up the information they’re supposed to or they create false calls and don’t operate correctly.”

A fifth set of cameras are included for the on-going Front. St upgrades and will be stationed at Front St. and Bastion St.

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The technology will become a staple at many upgrades for the City moving forward. They are also set to be included at Enterprise Way as part of the Metral Dr. project.

Rose said a four-way stop light is projected to be installed at Bruce Ave. and Fifth St. in the coming years, a project which will also include one of these devices.

Technology behind the cameras has developed over the last 15 to 20 years, with the City beginning to adopt it over the last two years.

Major intersections could feature more than a dozen loops, while a single camera can cover one direction. The cameras are more expensive to install initially, however the life cycle costs are more favourable than traditional loops.

The devices create an image for the on-site computer to process and collect information from, however no actual images or video are stored.

“It recognizes there is a shape that depicts a truck, bus, cyclist or motorcycle but it’s just data, there’s no images retained. The new hardware will enable us to differentiate what type of vehicle it is, whether it’s a motorcycle, car, bus or truck. We will have the ability to differentiate between cyclists and pedestrians as well.”

The cameras can not be used as evidence for intersection collisions.

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alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley