Bus Lane and Red Light Cameras
Tallinn is working on a public transport system as an attractive alternative to the private car. To improve the speed of public transport, the city will introduce a priority system consisting of public transport lanes that will be monitored by red light cameras to prosecute intrusion by private vehicles.
Implementing sustainable mobility
Tallinn wants to motivate private car users to switch to public transport modes. This will only be realistic, if public transport is not only punctual but on average as fast as, or even faster than trips by car. Tallinn is therefore developing a public transport priority system based on separate traffic lanes for public transport.
The main objectives of the measure are to:
>> Make public transport more attractive and improve its overall image and social acceptance; and
>> Reduce the number of public transport lane intrusions by private cars.
Dedicated public transport lanes will improve the speed of buses and trolleys that will thereby become a more attractive alternative to the car. In the past, public transport lanes have been introduced on Paldiski, Endla and Pirita road but they suffered from intrusions by private cars. The lanes will therefore be equipped with red light cameras that make it possible to automatically identify drivers who illegally use reserved lanes.
How is the measure progressing
During the first year of the project, Tallinn collected data, carried out surveys and research to define intersections on which to install the red light cameras. In the second year, Tallinn continued to gather information with the support of Tallinn University of Technology to draw up the terms of reference. Next, the city will proceed with the acquisition and installation of the equipment. Tallinn has submitted an official request to involve the police in this measure to the Estonian Ministry of the Interior as the legal framework only grants the police the right to deal with traffic offenders. The city will soon publish a call for tenders. The next steps will be to construct the required infrastructure, set up the public transport lanes and acquire and install the red light cameras. Data collection will make it possible to evaluate the measure.
What are the expected results of the measure
Tallinn expects that the public transport priority scheme will:
>> Improve the speed of public transport by 5 percent;
>> Reduce public transport lane intrusion at intersections by 75 percent;
>> Reduce misuse of bus lanes by 70 percent; and
>> Reduce the number of accidents in intersections by 60 precent.
Contact: Tiit Laiksoo
