
Automated Speed Enforcement
To increase roadway safety, Hamilton is one of the participating municipalities to implement Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) technology in designated school and community safety zones.
ASE is an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to enforce speed limits. The ASE tool, when used in collaboration with other methods such as engineering, education and enforcement is used to help improve road user safety by increasing speed compliance, altering driver behaviour and increasing public awareness about the critical need to slow down in designated school zones and community safety zones.
Automated Speed Enforcement is proven to effectively enforce speed limits, increase driver awareness and decrease injuries and fatalities as a result of motor vehicle collisions in other Canadian provinces and countries around the world.
On September, 20th 2021, Council directed staff to initiate a full time automated speed enforcement program to be used in designated school zones and community safety zones through the City of Hamilton. The program supports the City of Hamilton Vision Zero Action Plan and the principles of Vision Zero to reduce speeds and overall injuries as a result of motor vehicle collisions.
The City of Hamilton has activated its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras and began issuing tickets to speeding drivers since October 1, 2020.
Automated Speed Enforcement Locations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)?
ASE, also referred to as an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to enforce speed limits, is a speed enforcement tool that uses technology to help make roads safer for all road users. An ASE system captures and records images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit in school zones and community safety zones with tickets issued to the registered plate holder regardless of who was driving. This will result in a monetary fine, but no demerit points will be applied.
Where is ASE being implemented?
The Highway Traffic Act only authorizes the use of ASE in school zones and community safety zones.
Automated Speed Enforcement Deployment Schedule - 2022
Location | Ward | Zone Type | "Coming Soon" Sign Installation Date | ASE Operation Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Sherman Avenue - Limeridge Rd E to Mohawk Rd E | 7 | Community Safety Zone | October 2021 | January 2022 |
Cranbrook Drive - Gretna Court to Glenvale Dr | 14 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | October 2021 | January 2022 |
Aberdeen Avenue - Locke St S to Longwood Rd S | 1 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | November 2021 | February 2022 |
West 5th Street - Limeridge Rd W to Mohawk Rd W | 8 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | November 2021 | February 2022 |
Scenic Drive - Mohawk Rd W to Sanatorium Rd | 14 | Community Safety Zone | December 2021 | March 2022 |
Robson Road - Parkside Dr to Concession 5 E | 15 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | December 2021 | March 2022 |
Winterberry Drive - Glenhollow Dr to Paramount Dr | 9 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | January 2022 | April 2022 |
Parkdale Avenue North - Queenston Rd to Melvin Ave*** | 4 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | January 2022 | April 2022 |
Millen Road - Maple Dr to Highway No. 8 | 10 | Community Safety Zone | February 2022 | May 2022 |
Jerseyville Road East - Fiddler's Green Rd to Meadowbrook Dr | 12 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | February 2022 | May 2022 |
Old Ancaster Road - Dundana Ave to Turnbull Rd | 13 | Community Safety Zone | March 2022 | June 2022 |
Mohawk Road East - Upper Wentworth St to Upper Sherman Ave | 7 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | March 2022 | June 2022 |
Victoria Avenue North - Charlton Ave E to Wilson St | 3 | Community Safety Zone | April 2022 | July 2022 |
Centennial Parkway North - Queenston Rd to Barton St E | 5 | Community Safety Zone | April 2022 | July 2022 |
Upper Ottawa Street - Fennell Ave E to Mohawk Rd E | 6 | Community Safety Zone | May 2022 | August 2022 |
Centre Road - Parkside Dr to Concession 5 E | 15 | Community Safety Zone | May 2022 | August 2022 |
Kitty Murray Lane - Stonehenge Dr to Garner Rd E | 12 | Community Safety Zone | June 2022 | September 2022 |
Dundurn Street South - Herkimer St to Aberdeen Ave | 1 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | June 2022 | September 2022 |
James Street South - St. Joseph's Dr to Fennell Ave W | 2 | Community Safety Zone | July 2022 | October 2022 |
Lake Avenue North - Jackson Ln to Barton St E | 5 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | July 2022 | October 2022 |
Kenilworth Avenue North - Cannon St E to Barton St E | 4 | Community Safety Zone | August 2022 | November 2022 |
Upper Wellington Street - Limeridge Rd E to Mohawk Rd E | 7/8 | Community Safety Zone & School Zone | August 2022 | November 2022 |
Upper James Street - Lincoln Alexander Pkwy to Stone Church Rd E | 8 | Community Safety Zone | September 2022 | December 2022 |
Trinity Church Road - Pinehill Dr to Golf Club Rd | 11 | Community Safety Zone | September 2022 | December 2022 |
What is a school zone?
A school zone is an area of road in close proximity to a school. School zones are designated by by-law passed by municipal councils as described in the Highway Traffic Act. Typically, school zones have reduced speed limits that are put into effect, either by time of day or 24/7, within 150 metres in front of a school.
What is a community safety zone?
A community safety zone is an area designated through a by-law passed by a municipal council to identify it as a road segment of higher risk or concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones and many community safety zones are located close to schools.
Why are municipalities choosing to implement ASE?
In May 2017, Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act was amended to introduce the use of ASE in municipalities to address ongoing issues with speeding in school zones and community safety zones.
Operating speeds within school zones are typically lower than other road segments, however, the risks are much higher. Speeding around schools puts the lives of our most vulnerable people at unnecessary risk and ASE is designed to slow drivers down and keep our neighbourhoods safe.
Is ASE a mandatory program for municipalities?
No. Each municipality in Ontario is determining, based on the needs of its community, whether to implement ASE. Many municipalities are moving ahead with this new speed enforcement tool because they have identified it is an efficient and effective tool to help reduce speed in school zones and community safety zones.
How will municipalities decide where to place the cameras?
Municipalities are taking a data-driven approach to identifying where to place ASE in their communities. Municipalities across Ontario capture speed data in their communities on a regular basis and this data is now being used to identify exactly where speed is a factor in road and pedestrian safety in school zones and community safety zones, and where ASE can be implemented to help make a difference for those municipalities who choose to implement it.
Why don’t municipalities use other measures to enforce speed limits in school zones and community safety zones?
ASE is one of many speed enforcement methods that is used, along with engineering activities, education initiatives and police enforcement, to increase safety in areas with vulnerable populations such as school zones and community safety zones.
Why is ASE being used instead of traditional enforcement?
While traditional enforcement will still be used, ASE is a complementary method that enables police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks. Through ASE, incidents of speeding can be detected on an ongoing and consistent basis, ensuring that school children and other road users always feel safe, not just during traffic blitzes. Using ASE consistently also lends to altering driver behaviour for ongoing road safety.
How will drivers know that a location is equipped with ASE?
ASE is about safety and transparency and clear signage will be posted within each school zone and community safety zone where a system is in place and active. There will also be signs installed prior to the issuance of tickets to let motorists know that these systems will be installed in the near future.
Are threshold speeds being disclosed?
No. As speed limits are not guidelines – they are the law – there is no need to disclose threshold speeds. Driving at the posted limit will ensure a ticket is not issued.
How accurate is an ASE system when detecting speed?
ASE is just as accurate at detecting speed as traditional speed measurement devices used by police.
Additional information
www.aseontario.com
Automated Speed Enforcement certificate of accuracy
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