Highway Cameras Assist Nova Scotians

Nova Scotia's highway cameras are proving to be a real "hit" with the public.

Since the cameras became operational in late December, a record number of users have logged on to the Department of Transportation and Public Works web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .

In January of 2003, the site generated 4.3 million "hits" compared with 443,000 hits in November 2002.

"The response from the public has been fantastic," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "It just confirms that we're on track with our goal of providing camera coverage along the entire 100-series highway network."

Hundreds of people have e-mailed since the service opened. Many want cameras added near their communities; one Ottawa resident says the cameras make him homesick; most say congratulations on a job well done.

"People realize this is another valuable safety tool to use during winter," said the minister. "Others find it a great way to check the weather, or scan other parts of the province."

The department has 13 cameras across the province, and more will be added in the coming year. Coverage will be expanded in the Antigonish-Sydney corridor and along Highway 101, in Kings County, and possibly in Yarmouth.

Funding for many of Nova Scotia's existing cameras was cost- shared by the federal and provincial governments, so most are located on roads connected to the National Highway System (highways 101, 102, 104, 105).

Mr. Baker said the cameras are a valuable tool for staff. Supervisors can track storms as they sweep across the province, and then call in operators prior to the arrival of snowstorms.

The cameras are attached to 10-metre steel towers called Road Weather Information System towers. These towers are located next to the road and use temperature and weather sensors to feed real- time data to staff at 30 of the department's bases across Nova Scotia. This information helps staff know when to salt and plow.