Saturday December 28, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 12:44 am | Updated 1:51 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
New technology helped DriveBC add 22 new cameras in 2024. The expansion delivers 37 more views to help motorists travel more safely, especially during winter, says the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in a news release yesterday (between Christmas and New Year).
People checking traffic and weather conditions when planning trips on the province’s roads can now access 503 cameras on the total DriveBC webcam network. The webcams deliver 1,037 views of current road conditions.
Where technically feasible, ministry crews strategically locate the webcams throughout B.C. based on needs identified by residents, contractors or weather experts, says the Ministry.
This year’s annual network expansion includes various locations.
Many DriveBC cameras are pan-tilt-zoom cameras that can deliver several views from a single position. On the Lower Mainland, many intersection cameras provide images of four or more positions.
More views on South Vancouver Island:
Highway 14 at West Shore Parkway now has a camera with north, west and east views, as one component of the completed Highway 14 corridor improvements program between Langford and Sooke.
Link on the Island Social Trends Traffic Page to south Vancouver Island webcams.
Other new cameras this year:
- New in Langley: Highway 1 at 216 Street, with west and east views in a growing region along the busy Highway 1 corridor in Langley.
- New in Paulson: Paulson Summit on Highway 3 with a west view is a remote camera that shares the site with new weather sensors, leading to a more efficient and reliable system. It is off grid because there are no available cellular or land line networks, and no power nearby. The system uses solar power and transmits the weather data and camera images by satellite. This Paulson setup will be a model for installing future similarly remote cameras.
- New at Powder King Mountain Resort: Pine Pass on Highway 97 at the access road to Powder King Mountain Resort region with a north view is a new camera that replaced one that had gone offline after its components failed and replacements were no longer available.
Privacy protection:
The DriveBC cameras in some cases protect privacy. For example, the Highway 3A webcam view uses a pixelated mask to avoid showing private property.
But the proliferation of cameras for the convenience of drivers far overshadows any discussion about public privacy concerns. That debate seems to be long-past.
More than roads:
In addition to providing information about weather, road and traffic conditions, DriveBC has links to information about border delays, inland ferries, ongoing construction projects and tips for how to drive safely in winter conditions.
Public input about DriveBC:
DriveBC is accepting public feedback on its redesigned web portal to replace the existing website next year. The new site will include a simplified map, clearer event notification, new advisory features and better mobile usability.
===== LINKS:
- Island Social Trends – Traffic Page | DRIVE BC SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND WEBCAMS
- DRIVE BC – all webcams
- DriveBC – travel information website or use the MOBILE DRIVEBC