Study into Traffic Speed Enforcement

Our Ref: NY9683

Date: 30/06/2025

Freedom of Information request reference number: NY9683

I write in connection with your request for information that was received by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Policing, Fire and Crime Team (PFC) on 8 June 2025.

Question/ Request:
Regarding the study into traffic speed enforcement, you advised me that a further study will take place into the cost/benefit of average and fixed cameras, and other enforcement strategies. I am formally requesting the following information;

1. the scope of the survey
2. the selected research partner
3. when the survey started or when will it start
4. the expected time scale for the survey from start to finish
5. how long after receiving the results you intend to publish them

Answer/ Response:
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within the PFC.
I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by the PFC.
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you.

Scope of the survey

Phase 2 – Academic Enforcement Investment Appraisal

The two overarching questions are:
Will the introduction of fixed and/or average speed cameras be effective in reducing collisions in York and North Yorkshire? and if so:
Can this be achieved through a sustainable self-financing funding model that covers operational costs and provides income to invest into further partnership casualty reduction activity and initiatives?

And more specifically:
• Assessment of traffic, incident, and violation data across York and North Yorkshire’s road network to support fixed and average speed camera locations.
• Produce prioritised, site selection criteria to identify optimum locations of fixed and separately, average cameras.
• Costs of a range of possible approaches, including mixed approaches, considering:
o Numbers of cameras
o Optimal blend of fixed and average speed cameras
o Identification of whole life cycle cost, including initial purchase and installation to operating costs, planned and reactive maintenance to end of life disposal
o Lifetime of cameras
o Use of dummy cameras and/or speed advisory devices
o Use of other equipment such as Laser Jammers
• Details of any required local highway authority enabling works, including power supply, health and safety considerations, signage, road markings.
• If it is shown the introduction of fixed and average speed cameras will deliver a demonstrable road safety benefit and be self-financing, propose an enforcement model (ratio and number of fixed vs average sites). This should identify sample sites based on the site selection criteria developed, to model the benefit.
• Assessment of the infrastructure currently available to support fixed and/or average speed cameras (such as power supplies, safety precautions, trimming of trees and vegetation).
• Implementation timescales, which may depend on availability of data and infrastructure, as indicated above.
• Estimated revenue from a blended enforcement approach (fixed/average and current mobile safety camera vans) from cameras and speed awareness courses. How much would return to York and North Yorkshire, and in what form.
o Cost and revenue from current delivery model for speed awareness and advisory courses vs alternative models.
• Conduct a desktop survey of existing camera partnership delivery and business models, including interviews with a sample group to identify best practices and learn from any mistakes or alternative approaches.
o Set out the details of what a financially viable road safety camera partnership would look like, including how roles and responsibilities are apportioned in other successful camera partnerships, e.g. accountable body, procurement, ownership, installation, maintenance, camera manufacturer liaison and contract management and renewal.
• Consideration of Legal issues. There is a plethora of legislation around use and installation of speed enforcement devices. If the legislation is not scrupulously followed, then any fines or convictions may be invalid and open to challenge.
• Assessment of back-office support implications, requirements, and associated costs.

Selected Research Partner
Newcastle University
When the Survey Started or When Will it Start
The independent study commenced in earnest in March 2025.
Expected Time Scale for the Survey from Start to Finish
Anticipated completion of the study is early August 2025 (5 months in duration)
How Long After Receiving the Results You Intend to Publish Them
The study’s findings and recommendations will be reviewed by the Strategic York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership in the autumn, as well as through the governance structures of individual road safety partners. Once a collective decision has been reached regarding the adoption of a fixed and/or average speed camera enforcement approach in York and North Yorkshire, the study will be published.

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data. It should be noted therefore that the PFC’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.