quote:RAMPED-UP mobile speed camera operations could make at least $20 million a year for the state government - double the revenue it sacrificed after ditching 38 fixed speed cameras.
Six mobile speed vehicles issued 10,425 fines worth $1.58 million in the last financial year, although they worked only 1000 hours each month.
That will increase to 12,200 hours once the operation is in full swing, with up to 40 vehicles.
The news comes after the government said it would sacrifice $10 million a year after shutting down a quarter of the state's cameras.
The RTA last night rejected the $20 million figure. A spokesman said it was "difficult to meaningfully estimate the value of the fines" any increase in mobile speed camera operation hours will generate.
"Future plans for the mobile speed camera program are being considered by the NSW government in light of yesterday's audit report," the spokesman said.
Each of the 40 vehicles will operate mobile speed cameras for two- or three-hour sessions at locations yet to be chosen.
"The RTA will deploy approximately 6100 hours per month as two-hour enforcement sessions and approximately 6100 hours per month as three-hour enforcement sessions" says the project's Scope of Service document of last October.
The fixed camera shutdown came after a report released by the Auditor General found 38 of 141 cameras had no significant road safety benefit.
The revised mobile speed camera contract will include hundreds of new locations across the state, many promising to bring in more revenue than those being targeted.
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