TTC and B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems teaming up to develop streetcar safety camera pilot
February 05, 2025
The TTC is improving safety for streetcar customers by piloting automatic camera enforcement technology for motorists who pass open doors. The pilot contract has been awarded to B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems Inc.
Through the pilot, the TTC and Gatekeeper will develop and pilot a new enforcement system to record the incident and license plate information. Passing open streetcar doors puts those boarding and exiting streetcars in danger and illegal under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Between 2014 and 2024, 141 individuals have been contacted by vehicles while boarding or exiting streetcars. In addition, the TTC gets anecdotal reports of open-door passing multiple times daily.
A change to the HTA made in 2021 means that as of July 1, 2022 camera-based enforcement is allowed. The TTC has been advocating for use of cameras since 2015.
The current fine for passing open streetcar doors is up to $183.25 plus three demerit points.
The pilot will cost approximately $460,000 and includes development, installation of cameras on four streetcars, and nine months of testing starting later next year. No tickets will be issued as part of the pilot.
“The City of Toronto has an ongoing commitment to safer streets for all road users, including TTC customers riding streetcars,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “I’m pleased to see this safety program moving ahead and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot project.”
“The TTC Board has made the safety of streetcar customers a priority for our operations teams, and addressing those who illegally pass open doors is an important part of improving safety,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “Through this pilot, we can fine-tune the program and make the TTC an even safer way to get around the City.”
“Safety is our top concern, and every day, we hear about dozens of instances of cars passing open streetcar doors in mixed traffic with no regard for the safety of our customers,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “We are serious about putting an end to that through new industry-leading technological solutions. This is the first step in that process.”
“We are delighted to work with the TTC on this important initiative to improve passenger safety,” said Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s President and CEO. “Protecting people in transit is our corporate mission and we are very proud to add Canada’s largest public transit system to our growing list of transit customers.”
The TTC is also developing an on-street streetcar safety campaign to roll out in the coming weeks, reminding all road users that they must stop behind open streetcar doors.
Through the pilot, the TTC and Gatekeeper will develop and pilot a new enforcement system to record the incident and license plate information. Passing open streetcar doors puts those boarding and exiting streetcars in danger and illegal under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Between 2014 and 2024, 141 individuals have been contacted by vehicles while boarding or exiting streetcars. In addition, the TTC gets anecdotal reports of open-door passing multiple times daily.
A change to the HTA made in 2021 means that as of July 1, 2022 camera-based enforcement is allowed. The TTC has been advocating for use of cameras since 2015.
The current fine for passing open streetcar doors is up to $183.25 plus three demerit points.
The pilot will cost approximately $460,000 and includes development, installation of cameras on four streetcars, and nine months of testing starting later next year. No tickets will be issued as part of the pilot.
“The City of Toronto has an ongoing commitment to safer streets for all road users, including TTC customers riding streetcars,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “I’m pleased to see this safety program moving ahead and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot project.”
“The TTC Board has made the safety of streetcar customers a priority for our operations teams, and addressing those who illegally pass open doors is an important part of improving safety,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “Through this pilot, we can fine-tune the program and make the TTC an even safer way to get around the City.”
“Safety is our top concern, and every day, we hear about dozens of instances of cars passing open streetcar doors in mixed traffic with no regard for the safety of our customers,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “We are serious about putting an end to that through new industry-leading technological solutions. This is the first step in that process.”
“We are delighted to work with the TTC on this important initiative to improve passenger safety,” said Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s President and CEO. “Protecting people in transit is our corporate mission and we are very proud to add Canada’s largest public transit system to our growing list of transit customers.”
The TTC is also developing an on-street streetcar safety campaign to roll out in the coming weeks, reminding all road users that they must stop behind open streetcar doors.