title: Speed cameras in an urban setting: a cost-benefit analysis.
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.
authors.affiliation: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendivil
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Altés
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marí-Dell'Olmo
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tobías
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002947:Cities; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population