1. Geoff Collins – Jenoptik Traffic Solutions UK
The A9 Average Speed Camera Installation – a case study
Geoff Collins – Jenoptik Traffic Solutions UK

2. The A9 Average Speed Camera Installation – a case study
A9 Background and Overview
Project Approach
Challenges
Technology Solution
Results
Summary

3. A9 Background and Overview
Scotland’s longest A class road
Mix of single and dual carriageway
From sea level to 460m
Coastal to mountain setting
Traffic volumes variable and seasonal

4. A9 Background and Overview
58 deaths between 2008 and 2012
High proportion of KSI injuries
£3bn programme to dual the A9, 2025 target
Minister requested a multi agency group
Similar to A77 Safety Group
Reduce casualties before dualling is completed

5. A9 Background and Overview
Collisions – many causes, not just speed:
High severity of collisions at junctions
High number of collisions involving HGVs
Loss of control
Failing to look properly
Failing to judge other’s speed
Careless/reckless driving
Inappropriate speed
Poor turning practices
200 vehicles per day at +100mph

6. Project Approach Collaborative approach – A9 Safety Group
Extensive road user engagement – A9road.info
Work with highly vocal ‘anti camera’ group
Facebook page with 10,000 followers
Before vs After surveys
For baseline monitoring
55% of drivers admitted speeding
38% admitted 10mph+ above limit
HGV speed limit increase
Average speed enforcement

7. Challenges The A9 is not just another road! Power connections
Communications
Environmental concerns
Challenging setting
The design worked around these issues.

8. Technology Solution
A9 SPECS3 Installation – Europe’s longest enforcement project 220km of average speed enforcement Delivered using SPECS3 & Infra Red lighting Installation now fully operational for two years.

9. Technology Solution 27 locations north of Perth (single carriageway)
23 locations south of Perth (dual carriageway)
220km covered
Operational 24/7 and in complete darkness
Uses 3G communications, not fixed cable
Proven technology that changes driver behaviour.

10. Technology Solution
SPECS ‘works’ because it is recognised and understood
Driver behaviour is modified where it is used
Highly distinctive SPECS columns
24/7 operation
Infra-Red flood lighting on dark road
Flexible configuration
Conspicuous signage
Cost circa £2m

11. Results - Summary 18 month data - too early to fully report, but:
Fatalities down by 33%
KSI casualties down 62%
All injury casualties down 50%
Speed reductions being maintained
1 in 10 vehicles > limit – (vs 1 in 3)
1 in 250 vehicles 10mph > – (vs 1 in 10)
13 vehicles per day further actioned (0.03% of volume)
43% fewer delay incidents
Improved journey reliability (slight increase to total transit time)
Average >5% traffic growth.
“Most of us were of the opinion that the cameras were wrong but I'm first to admit that maybe it was me that was unable to see the wood for the trees!”

12. Results - Speeds
Guess when the cameras went live?

13. Results - Behaviour
60mph – speed profile post installation

14. Results - Behaviour
70mph – speed profile post installation

15. Results – Journey Times

16. Results – Driver Opinion
Repeated questionnaire from 2014, asking road users their opinion, with respondents reporting:
felt less likely to exceed the speed limit
70% strongly agreeing or agreeing
felt safer than if average speed cameras were not there
felt less likely to be involved in an accident
felt less pressured by following traffic
83% to 47%
felt less likely to speed to make up time for stuck behind a slow moving vehicle
85% to 61%
“It would be difficult to argue that since the introduction of ASCs there has not been a positive change in the behaviour of drivers and how safe they feel whilst travelling along the A9”
A9 Average Speed Cameras – “After” Market Research, AECOM, March 2015

17. Summary Route based strategies work
Drivers welcome safety and certainty
A collaborative design approach is best:
Understand the problem
Work with the constraints
Design for the real world
Share best practice
SPECS is a quick win
Fast, from concept to operation
<6 month FYRR – highly cost effective
A9 recognised with prestigious awards:

18.
Thank you.