US-Based Deployments of Work Zone Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Ranged From $700 To $1,500 Per 8-Hour Shift.

In 2014, the Federal Highway Administration published the Work Zone Intelligent Transportation System (WZITS) Implementation Guide to provide information on implementing ITS in work zones. This 2021 Technology Supplement was intended to be used in conjunction, providing a detailed factsheet and sample specifications for nine primary WZITS technologies: 1) dynamic lane merge, 2) queue warning system, 3) variable speed limit, 4) automated enforcement, 5) entering/exiting construction vehicle notification, 6) temporary ramp metering, 7) real-time traveler information, 8) incident management system, and 9) performance measurement. This summary provides an overview of the costs related to implementing automated speed enforcement (ASE). ASE uses Radar or LiDAR to determine vehicle speed and captures license information using fixed or mobile cameras. Mobile cameras deployed in vehicles are most suitable to work zones due to limited durations and reusability of equipment across corridors.

Most agencies contract ASE systems with an approved vendor that provides end- to-end services, except for review by law enforcement. In 2020 dollars, previous US-based deployments of a work zone ASE system ranged from $700 to $1,500 per 8-hour shift deployment. This is a fixed cost regardless of the number of infractions recorded. Table 1 below lists example unit and total system costs. 

Table 1: Automated Speed Enforcement Costs