2022 Council Briefing: Vision Zero 2.0 – Road Safety

In June 2019, City Council adopted Vision Zero 2.0 – Road Safety Plan Update (IE6.8) with a goal to eliminate serious injury and fatalities on Toronto’s roads. Recommendations included a Speed Management Strategy and expansion of the Red Light Camera (RLC) and Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) programs.

In February 2022, City Council authorized City staff to implement an Administrative Penalty System (APS) for the RLC and ASE programs once the provincial regulatory framework has been provided (IE27.8).  In April 2022, the Province of Ontario filed Ontario Regulation 355/22, Administrative Penalties for Contraventions Detected Using Camera Systems under the Highway Traffic Act. This provided the City with the regulatory framework required to proceed with its APS expansion project. A staff report to City Council is expected in early 2023 and it is expected that the APS for RLC and ASE will be implemented in early 2024.

Current Status

The APS expansion will require the procurement of a new adjudicative case management system to improve the administration and management of parking violations and new types of contraventions under the RLC and ASE programs. Investments to expand the RLC, ASE and APS programs are projected to be cost neutral.

In 2023, the City is focused on:

  • Implementation of a new adjudicative case management system;
  • Amendments to the current APS By-law (Chapter 610 of the Toronto Municipal Code) for penalty administration that addresses the new provincial regulation;
  • New data access and data sharing agreements with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) to support reporting requirements between the City and the Province;
  • Installation of additional Red Light and ASE cameras;
  • Development of APS policies, procedures and forms;
  • Staffing and human resources requirements; and
  • Development and/or renovation of City’s facilities to accommodate APS expansion.

Background & Context

Higher speeds contribute to a greater risk of serious injuries and fatalities. Through the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, a Speed Management Strategy comprised of seven integrated speed reduction tools such as automated enforcement tools and technology solutions is aimed at mitigating risks associated with high speeds.

There are 240 red light cameras installed at high-priority intersections throughout the City, with a target to have 300 cameras in operation by the end of 2022. There are also 50 mobile ASE cameras installed in Community Safety Zones totaling two cameras per ward. City Council recently approved the expansion of one additional ASE camera per ward.

Truth, Justice & Reconciliation

The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan aligns, broadly, with the goal to “Improve Community Safety and Well-being”, Action 11, of the City of Toronto’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Equity-based prioritization has been a focus for the expansion of the Administrative Penalty System (APS) and of the Transportation Services capital budget planning process with the development of a Transportation Equity Lens framework. This framework has been added to all capital budget requests to understand the impacts of programs on equity-deserving groups, including vulnerable road users.

Key Contacts

Wendy Walberg
City Solicitor, Legal Services
Wendy.Walberg@toronto.ca, 416-392-8078

Susan Garossino
Director, Court Services
Susan.Garossino@toronto.ca, 416-392-3835

David J. Twaddle
Director, Transportation Services
Dave.Twaddle@toronto.ca, 416-392-8431

Casey Brendon
Director, Revenue Services
Casey.Brendon@toronto.ca, 416-392-8065

Mike McGava
Project Director, Technology Services
Mike.McGava@toronto.ca, 416-397-0047

Additional Resources