Amsterdam is going to significantly expand the number of traffic cameras in the city to keep out heavy traffic, among other things. Ten mobile number plate cameras are also used to check whether light-moped riders are not riding on the cycle path.
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Alderman Sharon Dijksma (Traffic and Transport) writes this in a letter to the city council. In total, the Municipal Executive wants to install 68 additional number plate cameras in the city, 60 along the inner ring road and 8 around the city center.
According to the alderman, the expansion of the cameras is necessary to keep out heavy traffic, so that vulnerable quays and bridges can be protected. They are also used to give taxis selective access to busy areas in the center in the future.
Privacywet
Dijksma emphasizes that the placement of the cameras complies with the privacy law: they only register license plates and no faces. The intention is that the cameras can be used from the beginning of next year.
To protect the bridges and quays, the alderman is working behind the scenes on a plan that will probably include no more freely accessible freight routes. The cameras located along the inner ring should help enforce the new rules. ‘In the past, cameras were not allowed to be used to maintain weight, but the Public Prosecution Service is now giving permission for a pilot because of the great urgency.’
Traffic research taxis
The eight number plate cameras around the city center are mainly used to conduct traffic research into taxis in the city. The municipality is looking for a smart way to grant taxis access to the city under certain conditions. In this way, the municipality wants to further reduce traffic and air pollution.
The city already has several dozen number plate cameras, such as when entering the environmental zone along the A10, the bicycle passages, La Monnaie and as a trial at the Oudezijde area.
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