Traffic detection cameras detect the presence of vehicles and allow traffic signals to respond to changes in the traffic volumes by varying the length of green lights.
For example, a traffic detection camera at the Yonge Street and Yorkville Avenue intersection allow the traffic signal on Yonge Street to remain or “rest in” green until a vehicle is detected by the camera facing Yorkville Avenue. If only one or two vehicles are waiting on Yorkville Avenue, the camera will cause the traffic signal to operate a short green light. At busier times of the day, the traffic detection camera will allow the traffic signal to operate a longer green light for vehicles on Yorkville Avenue.
Traffic detection cameras are not capable of displaying/recording video. Hence, operators at the City’s Traffic Operations Centre are not able to use these cameras for traffic monitoring purposes.