Citation

Mendivil J, Garcia-Altes A, Pérez K, Marí-Dell'olmo M, Tobias A. Inj. Prev. 2012; 18(2): 75-80.

Affiliation

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2010.030882

PMID

21795288

Abstract

Background To perform a cost-benefit analysis of the installation of speed cameras on the beltways of Barcelona. Methods The analysis was performed from the society perspective over a 2-year period using a controlled before-and-after study design. The net benefit was calculated using, as benefits, the willingness to pay for the estimated number of people who avoided injury as a consequence of the intervention, subtracting costs and savings. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the maximum and minimum estimated number of people who avoided injury, assuming that there was a minimum of one death avoided, using the maximum value of a statistical life, assigning all implementation costs to the first year and assuming there was no time lost due to speed reduction. Results Base case results showed a net benefit of €6.8 million. Sensitivity analyses suggested that net benefits could range from €5.6 to €23.1 million over 2 years. Conclusions The use of speed cameras in urban areas has a favourable economic impact even when assessed using conservative assumptions.

Language: en