Facilitate Tech Collaboration to Make Intersections Less Deadly

ISSUE: Montreal's Plan d'action Vision Zero deces et blesse grave 2019-2021
seeks to reduce deaths caused by road collisions to zero. The plan
bears the subtitle, “Des assises solides pour mieux travailler ensemble.
In English, this means, solid foundations for working together better.

KEY MESSAGES:
● In 2017, road collission in Montreal caused 26 deaths and 186 serious injuries.
Though this is a great improvement from the 56 and 474 in 2006, the numbers
have stagnated over the past five years.

● 75% of collisions leading to death or serious injury occur at intersections.

● Tech-based surveillance techniques like red light ticketing have proven to

significantly reduce dangerous driving rates at intersections.

CURRENT STATUS:
● Vision Zero outlines 22 actions divided in three categories highlighting goals
to: a) better collaborate or work well together; b) change mentality and habits
related to road usage; c) directly transform the road systems.

● To make intersections safer, Vision Zero has implemented a wide array of policy
tools, for example:
➢ As of 2022, all traffic lights in Montreal will be equipped with pedestrian
crosswalk lights with a digital countdown providing an additional 4-6
seconds for pedestrian crossing.

➢ Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) used a prank 3D

pop-up fence that forced drivers to stop for pedestrians in 2019.

BACKGROUND:
Montreal adopted Vision Zero in October of 2019, an action plan currently only
available in French. Sweden's plan under the same name has shown promising results
since adoption in 1997. Both plans seek to reduce road fatalities to zero. Montreal's
Vision Zero's diverse partnerships and structural strategic goals aim to provide a more
pedestrian and biker friendly interpretation of road systems.
Montreal has notoriously deadly intersections that have become the subject of
top-ten lists online. 18.6% of deaths or grave injuries are caused by vehicles driving
straight into pedestrians whether at an intersection or not. 10.6% of deadly/serious
incidents are caused when vehicles are turning left at an intersection and a pedestrian
is crossing. Around 14 pedestrians and 2 cyclists die every year in Montreal due to
being hit by motor vehicles. 58% of killed pedestrians are over the age of 65.

A study in Quebec showed that bodily injuries and property damage were
reduced by 59% where stationary photo radar devices were used. A 41% reduction
occurred where red light cameras were used. The increased used of technology in
certain areas showed a statistically significant drop where devices were installed.
Montreal supports the use of red-light cameras, but their use is not widespread.

Montreal abolished its traffic ticketing quota in 2018 under new Mayor Valerie
Plante. In 2016 and 2017, ticket revenues from traffic and parking tickets were $146
and $174 million respectively. Tickets are therefore very lucrative for the city; yet the
city no longer uses a quota. Also, in 2018, 125 Cadets assumed responsibility for light-
changing duties in construction zones; a shift from $62 an hour for police “overtime” to
Municipality: Montreal Branch: Ministry of Transport
Prepared by: Tim B. Johnson Contact: Bruno Dupeyron
Update note: 10/31/2020 Page 1 of 2
$17 an hour for cadets. Using police on light-changing duty cost the city 7.8 million in
overtime pay in 2017. So, money has been saved related to policing intersections.

Montreal is an international tech hub. Google, IBM, Microsoft, and many more
tech leaders, are developing AI capacities in Montreal. Montreal is home to a deep and
growing pool of highly qualified, international tech talent.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Status Quo: Continue to roll out Vision Zero over the coming years without
significant investment in tech innovation in police ticketing at intersections. Continue to
only offer the plan in French.
Implications:
● Intersections will likely become marginally safer with the aforementioned
improvements to crosswalks. Deaths and serious injuries per year might see a
slight decrease.

● The goal of fostering greater collaborations and partnerships might stagnate

without expanding access by translating the plan.

● Miss out on revenues generated from new ticketing methods.

2. Incremental change: Facilitate partnerships between SPVM and tech leaders to

encourage innovation in ticketing at intersections. Install red light ticketing in
conjunction with education/awareness campaign; target only notoriously dangerous
intersections.
Implications:
● Targeted Intersections will become moderately safer. Tech innovation could lead
to creative ways to make intersections safer via ticketing or otherwise. Increased
revenues will be generated through ticketing. Dangerous driving habits will be
deterred.

● Increase municipal spending for installation and maintenance of red light

ticketing. Increased investment in tech innovation. Experience short-lived
backlash during adjustment period to new ticketing methods.

3. Substantial Change: Facilitate partnerships between SPVM and tech leaders.

Encourage tech innovation around ticketing options at intersections. Install red light
ticketing in conjunction with education/awareness campaign; target notoriously
dangerous intersections and designated 'pedestrian first' areas. Continue to install red
light and novel methods of ticketing at intersections with a plan of wider application.
Provide Vision Zero in English and encourage translation into other languages.
Implications:
● Intersections will become significantly safer. Less citizens will die or be seriously
injured at intersections. Enjoy same tech-innovation benefits as previous option.
Generate greater revenues through tickets. Speed-up gradual shift in ideology
surrounding purpose of roads. See greater involvement and collaboration
options through greater language access to plan.

● Experience backlash during adjustment period to new ticketing methods. Incur

increased installation and maintenance fees. Incur new administrative
demands/costs. Increased use of cameras in highly populated areas has
potential to be framed as a privacy issue. Official Languages Act might require
sufficient practical justification for English translation.

Recommended Option: 3. Substantial Change

Municipality: Montreal Branch: Ministry of Transport

Prepared by: Tim B. Johnson Contact: Bruno Dupeyron
Update note: 10/31/2020 Page 2 of 2