Traffic cameras to monitor Kaivokatu

Accidents on street next to Helsinki railway station cost millions each year

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Fixed cameras are to be set up in Kaivokatu in the centre of Helsinki to monitor driving speeds and compliance with traffic lights.
     City officials that the camera system, costing about EUR 55,000, is to be in operation by the end of the year.
     One of the two Swedish-made camera installations went up recently. The camera system includes a sensing device that can detect speeding and traffic light violations even in heavy traffic.
     
A picture of the vehicle and information of the violation will be sent wirelessly from Kaivokatu to a monitoring centre at the main police headquarters in the Helsinki district of Pasila.
     In Pasila, cars seen violating traffic rules are singled out, and tickets are sent to the owners of the car.
     Fixed cameras are to be set up in Kaivokatu in the centre of Helsinki to monitor driving speeds and compliance with traffic lights.
     City officials that the camera system, costing about EUR 55,000, is to be in operation by the end of the year.
     One of the two Swedish-made camera installations went up recently. The camera system includes a sensing device that can detect speed and red light violations even in heavy traffic.
      The fixed cameras are the first such installations in the centre of Helsinki.
     
Kaivokatu was chosen because it is considered the most dangerous in Helsinki, especially for pedestrians.
      Eero Pasanen, a researcher at the city's traffic planning section, says that costs of accidents on Kaivokatu are about EUR one million a year.
     "If accidents are reduced, EUR 55,000 will be a small investment."
     
If the Kaivokatu experiment is successful, similar installations might be introduced at other hazardous intersections.
     A total of 4,616 traffic accidents took place in Helsinki from the beginning of this year to the end of October, causing seven deaths and 678 injuries.
     More than 400 people were injured in cars involved in the accidents. The injured also included 131 pedestrians and 140 cyclists.
     
The choice of Kaivokatu was made because it is considered the most dangerous in Helsinki, especially for pedestrians.
      Eero Pasanen, a researcher at the city's traffic planning section, says that costs of accidents on Kaivokatu are about EUR one million a year.
     "If accidents are reduced, EUR 55,000 will be a small investment."
     
If the Kaivokatu experiment is successful, similar installations might be introduced at other hazardous intersections.
     A total of 4,616 traffic accidents took place in Helsinki from the beginning of this year to the end of October, causing seven deaths and 678 injuries.
     More than 400 injuries took place inside the cars involved in the accidents. The injured also included 131 pedestrians and 140 cyclists.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Speed cameras to monitor average speeds between two checkpoints (12.10.2007)

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