BRAMPTON — Brampton is breathing new life into its mothballed photo-radar equipment, converting 35 former automated speed-enforcement cameras into red-light cameras as part of an expanded road-safety program.
Mayor Patrick Brown said 15 converted cameras are already operational, with another 20 planned. The conversion follows provincial approval after Ontario banned municipal photo radar last year.
Brampton had 185 speed cameras and received nearly $35 million in provincial funding to replace the discontinued program with alternative traffic-safety measures. According to the mayor, provincial funding will cover the cost of adapting the cameras.
Some former speed cameras have also been provided to Peel Regional Police for criminal investigations, while the city is exploring additional uses, including noise-enforcement cameras targeting illegally modified exhaust systems.
Brampton is also expanding camera-based enforcement through automated licence-plate readers and is working toward school-bus stop-arm cameras to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
Other back-to-school measures include 254 crossing guards at 200 locations, 210 community safety zones, more than 150 speed cushions, 116 accessible pedestrian signals and 42 pedestrian crossovers.
The city is also considering using its former photo-radar processing centre on Sandalwood Parkway to process red-light camera tickets beginning next year.