In addition to monitoring traffic for speed violations, they can provide Engineering Services and police traffic supervisors with detailed traffic data. The speed of each vehicle, recorded in the computer, provides traffic flow patterns. The set tolerances are programmed to only photograph vehicles exceeding the tolerance. There will be no reduction in the use of conventional radar and laser by Vancouver Police traffic personnel. Traffic enforcement personnel will be deployed more frequently to playground zones, school zones and residential streets where speeding is determined to be a problem and the area does not meet the criteria to use photo radar.
Photo radar has the endorsement of communities throughout British Columbia.
The Vancouver Police Board endorses the implementation of photo radar. It is supported by the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, BC Medical Association and the BC Automobile Association. This should reduce the emotional distress suffered by the families of victims of motor vehicle collisions, by reducing accidents. Fewer and less severe admissions to Hospital Emergency wards are likely to result from a reduction in accidents. The police in B.C. have made a commitment to operate the ITCU as a unique blend of Municipal Police and RCMP personnel.