Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), working with An Garda Síochána (Irish Police) and the Dublin Tunnel’s operator, Egis, have announced that Ireland’s first average speed camera enforcement system has gone live.
Opened in 2006, and the third-longest urban motorway tunnel in Europe, the twin-bore Dublin Port Tunnel forms a key part of the M50 C-Ring road to the east of the capital, and is one of the busiest sections of the country’s motorway network. Traffic levels through the tunnel have increased by 40% over the past five years, and as a result there is statistically an increase in the potential for collisions and accidents. Average-speed camera enforcement systems look to mitigate this potential, because statistics show that there is typically a 50% reduction in the collision rate once they are in operation. The ‘point-to-point speed’ camera enforcement system will monitor a driver’s average speed while driving through the Dublin Port Tunnel, and if the vehicle is above the 50mph (80km/h) speed limit, the driver will be in violation and enforcement penalties will apply.
Once the average speed camera enforcement system determines that a vehicle has exceeded the speed limit, it will automatically create a record of the violation, which will then be transmitted to An Garda Síochána for action. The enforcement procedure will mirror the existing procedures developed by the police force for the automated processing of road traffic offenses that incur fixed charges, and if applicable, penalty points. Large yellow poles carrying the cameras have been installed at the tunnel’s entrances and exits, to help raise awareness and act as a deterrent to speeding. The cameras cover both lanes in each direction, with drivers switching lanes having no effect on the accuracy of the measurements.
“As we approach the June bank holiday, a time when there will be an increase in traffic volumes on the road, we welcome this enhancement to the operations and safety of the Dublin Tunnel,” commented the Garda’s Assistant Commissioner for roads policing, Michael Finn. The amount of traffic in particular travelling through the Dublin Tunnel is increasing, and this new average speed enforcement system provides additional support toward maintaining a safe travel experience for all users of the Tunnel.”
TII’s CEO, Michael Nolan, said, “An average speed camera enforcement system will assist in maintaining the Dublin Tunnel’s strong safety record. We are grateful to An Garda Síochána for supporting us with this operational improvement.”
