The City of Timmins is looking to add some new technology to its traffic management system.
Life on the roads in Timmins can become hectic from time to time between pedestrians, heavy haul trucks and some seriously rutted roads, but a new pilot project being offered up by an Alberta-based company could see police better equipped to keep area roads safe.
"What they've offered to do is do a pilot project with us on a traffic counting situation where we will be able to monitor traffic, monitor number of cars speeding in a school zone or rolling through stop signs, things like that," said Steve Black, Timmins mayor.
Global Traffic Group is offering up to 50 counters/sensors to the city for a week-long trial period.
They will be deployed in problem areas, and Black said the counters will be a valuable asset to the city.
"We get calls all of the time from residents who say,' you know, cars are always speeding on my street'. Well, it will be good to put some of these tools out there to say, 'yes people are' or 'no actually, it may look like people are speeding on a frequent basis, but the majority of vehicles are not'."
An asset that could put an end to lengthy council table debates over stop sign placement.
Timmins police officials said it could make enforcement that much easier.
"Overall, that will help police to then conduct targeted enforcement at specific times of day, in specific areas of concern. Ultimately anything that will make our roads safer is beneficial for us," explained Kate Cantin, Timmins Police Service communications coordinator.
The new sensors will provide data every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day from hot spots that Timmins police will recommend to the city before the trial takes place.
Council has agreed to move forward with the trial, but hasn't hammered out the fine details just yet.
