Upgrades Coming For Windsor’s Traffic Cameras

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A closed circuit traffic camera, left, at Hall Avenue and Wyandotte Street East. The black device, centered, is a traffic pre-emption receiver used by Windsor Fire emergency vehicles.

The City of Windsor will be upgrading its traffic camera infrastructure over the coming months.

Officials say the city currently uses a combination of analogue detection and closed circuit television cameras throughout the city. About 20 per cent of intersections are covered by closed circuit cameras and 70 per cent are covered by detection cameras.

New digital cameras will replace some of the analogue units at major intersections, the city says, and any equipment removed that is still functioning will be utilized at intersections that are currently not covered.

The city’s closed circuit traffic cameras were previously available for online public viewing (on pages such as windsoriteDOTca’s Traffic Cameras page) but were recently taken offline for the upgrades. Senior manager of traffic operations and parking, Shawna Boakes, says they will be back online soon.

The city says their eventual goal is to have 100 per cent coverage for all major intersections.

“We have the E.C. Row Expressway to move drivers quickly east and west, and we have upgraded major roadways across the city, including the addition of overpasses, underpasses and pedestrian bridges,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “This latest effort to better manage our intersection technology is another important step in ensuring Windsor’s traffic flow for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians continues to evolve.”

A collage of Windsor’s publicly viewable traffic cameras from when they were available online. Some cameras, such as those on the Herb Gray Parkway and 401, are currently viewable online.

Apart from public viewing, the city says closed circuit traffic cameras have a variety of uses including helping city staff to review historical data, complete traffic and turning movement counts, and address traffic flow or follow up on traffic light concerns reported to 311.

Traffic cameras are also used by Windsor Fire dispatchers when fire crews respond to traffic incidents. The city says emergency services will benefit from the upgrades and extra intersections covered as camera recordings can assist with collision or investigative follow-ups or when accidents might necessitate closures or rerouting. The city says access by agencies like Windsor Police is governed by information and privacy policies.

Many of Windsor’s closed circuit cameras were last upgraded or installed under the Lets Get Windsor Essex Moving strategy, a joint provincial and federal program aimed at streamlining border-related operations that started in 2004.

Upgrades will also be made to the city’s vehicle detection cameras which help adjust traffic light timing for better traffic flow across the city.

The cost of the latest upgrades is set at $592,650 and is funded through the city’s capital budget along with funds from a provincial grant.