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The first phase of this bus lane camera pilot will start in a few weeks (without enforcement). Through FOI, we learned that Smart Dublin have acquired the cameras and will use them at two locations to count and classify vehicles as a proof of concept. https://jrnl.ie/4891669
Remember, DCC doesn't have the power to enforce bus lanes. However, the last Minister often replied to camera enforcement questions by saying councils have the power to 'monitor' them. So monitor they shall, Mr Ross. After this, they can try to bring the Gardaí in to enforce.
"In 2019, 4,734 fines were given by the Roads Policing Units to people for driving in bus lanes" So the entire Dublin Garda RPU force could only manage to find 13 people driving in bus lanes a day. How many will DCC find in a day? https://dublininquirer.com/2020/03/04/misuse-of-bus-lanes-by-drivers-of-cars-could-badly-hamper-proposed-busconnects-network
It's not that far fetched to imagine an article in a few months titled "DCC counts more bus lane drivers on two streets in a month than the Gardaí fined in all of Dublin in a year". And that's going to be embarrassing for @DttasIrl, @EamonRyan and @GardaTraffic.
The cameras themselves are fairly advanced. Basic enforcement cameras would use number plate recognition. This pilot will use cameras that are equipped with number plate recognition (but not enabled for this phase) and is AI-enabled to count and classify objects.
DCC do an annual canal cordon count which counts and classifies the vehicles coming into the canal area in the morning. With these cameras, DCC could get that sort of valuable traffic data every day with ease.
The pilot is being designed with privacy in mind from the start. They want the data protection aspect to be completely water tight.
Our FOI request timeline cut off before they decided the locations but we can assume that it will be one central location like College Green or Bachelor's Walk and one canal cordon location like Rathmines or Leeson Street Bridge.
So what does it all mean? Well, for starters, it means that Dublin City Council (who has no powers to enforce bus lanes) is more concerned about camera enforcement of bus lanes than the Gardaí (who has camera enforcement powers and whose job it is to enforce bus lanes).
It means that when/if @EamonRyan amends legislation to allow another authority enforce bus lanes, bike lanes, yellow boxes etc., there will already be technology and expertise at Dublin City Council ready to go.
If legislation isn't amended, DCC could bring AGS on board to enforce using DCC cameras. The last time AGS did a joint camera enforcement project, the pilot started with one camera five years ago and we're still waiting for three permanent cameras. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/cameras-to-be-installed-at-three-blackspots-to-catch-red-light-runners-1.3852548
What @EamonRyan needs to do now is widen the enforcement powers so that it doesn't rest solely on an agency that has no interest in enforcement. Calling the current provisions robust or even functional (let alone effective) is an insult. https://twitter.com/DublinCommuters/status/1289955267510075392?s=20
Allow the NTA and/or local authorities use fixed cameras and on board bus cameras. Buses are already equipped with cameras. https://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news/enforcement/vehicle-mounted-cameras-start-issuing-bus-lane-violations-in-new-york-city.html
For more details on the NTA proposal, see here: https://twitter.com/DublinCommuters/status/1275441261768392704?s=20
Dublin Commuter Coalition: your weekly source on bus lane camera enforcement.
I should add that Smart Dublin was founded by all four Dublin local authorities (DCC, FCC, SDCC & DLRCC).
