This report reviews the use of point-to-point speed enforcement internationally in order to provide principles for better practice for its use in Australia and New Zealand. Point-to-point enforcement is a relatively new technological approach to speed enforcement which involves measuring the average speed of vehicles passing a series of cameras, by using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and other technologies. The approach has been implemented or trialled in a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France. The major research activities were undertaken for the preparation of this report included : (1) an extensive review of the international literature; (2) stakeholder consultation with international and domestic organisations. To date, there have been no formal evaluations of point-to-point speed enforcement in Australia or New Zealand. Evidence from other countries has revealed a number of positive findings including: (i) reductions in average/mean speeds, 85th percentile speeds, the proportion of speeding vehicles and speed variability; (ii) reductions in all crash types, particularly fatal and serious injury crashes; (iii) more homogenised traffic flow and increased traffic capacity resulting from reduced vehicle speed variability and subsequent increased headway; (iv) some evidence of reductions in traffic noise and harmful vehicle emissions; (v) positive attitudes of motorists towards the use of the approach; and (vi) long-term net economic benefits. While methodological limitations are noted across the majority of the published evaluations, the consistency of positive findings is encouraging. Stakeholder consultations investigated the extent to which point-to-point speed enforcement has been used throughout the world, the technological characteristics of systems used, operational requirements, as well as legislative and broader speed management issues. Based on the findings reported from the stakeholder consultations and literature review, a number of recommendations for better practice are suggested in relation to the development and implementation of point-to-point speed enforcement systems in Australia and New Zealand relating to: (i) operational recommendations; (ii) technological recommendations; (iii) legislative recommendations; (iv) public education recommendations; (v) evaluation recommendations; and, (vi) privacy recommendations. (Author/publisher)
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