Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
Council Briefing
January 18, 2006

Automated Red Light Running Enforcement
  • Red light running issues
  • Benefits of enforcement
  • How photo enforcement works
  • Cities currently operating photo enforcement systems
  • Steps to implement program


2
Red Light Running Issues
  • In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration reported  206,000 crashes nationwide related to red light running with 934 fatalities and 176,000 injuries.
  • The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports a national increase of 10% in traffic signal fatalities since 1993.
  • In 2000, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated Texas the fourth highest in red-light-running fatalities and Dallas seventh highest among a list of 70 large cities (200,000+ population) nationwide.


3
Benefits of Photo Enforcement
  • The Federal Highway Administration reports that intersections nationwide average a 25% reduction in right-angle crashes after installing photo enforcement systems.
  • Provides continual enforcement at high-accident locations.
  • Reduces potential for congestion and secondary crashes.
  • Photo evidence reduces the number of contested tickets and time spent in municipal court.
4
How Photo Enforcement Typically Works
5
How Photo Enforcement Typically Works
  • 1st photo is taken as vehicle crosses stop bar and 2nd photo is taken of vehicle in intersection during red.
  • Photos display time and speed after the onset of red.
  • Photos are reviewed for validity before a citation is prepared.
  • A citation is mailed to the registered vehicle owner.
  • Some systems provide a website and give a pass code on the citation for  vehicle owners to view color photos and a short video clip.
  • Civil citations may be contested by administrative adjudication.
  • Citations may be appealed to municipal court if found valid by adjudication.
6
Cities Using Photo Enforcement
  • Recommended Red-Light Program Goals


  • Incrementally expand the number of photo cameras to achieve a 25% reduction in right-angle crashes citywide.  This would match the national average of 25% at photo enforced sites.


  • Texas Cities Cameras % of Signals
  • City of Garland 5 exist -12 planned 6%
  • City of Frisco 4 8%
  • City of Richardson 4 3%
  • City of Plano 5 2%
  • City of Houston 10 <1%


  • Cities in Other States Cameras % of Signals
  • Phoenix 64 6%
  • Washington, DC 85 5%
  • Chicago 26 <1%
  • New York 50 (200) empty boxes <1%
7
Cities Using Photo Enforcement
  • Potential Number of Camera Sites
  • Number of cameras in cities with established programs range from 1% to 6% of the total number of traffic signals.
  • Cities using photo enforcement have seen “spill over” affect at nearby intersections and citywide.  California cities reported a citywide reduction of 7% to 10% in red-light related crashes after implementing program.
  • No statistics are available to suggest the saturation level required to achieve optimum results.
  • Staff recommends implementing 15 cameras (1%)
  • After 1st year of operation staff will assess program results and determine if additional cameras are required.
  • Program could continue to expand to 5% of traffic signals until program goals are achieved.
8
Cities Using Photo Enforcement
  • City of Garland Statistics
  • 50% reduction in right-angle crashes at photo enforced sites
  • Last year 30,000 citations processed using five cameras
  • 15 % of violation photos were not processed due to obscured license plates and other technicalities
  • Less than 2% of citations are contested
  • Typical Violation Rates in Texas
  • Number of violations vary per location depending on volumes, congestion levels, and frequency that the traffic signal cycles    (affects number of yellow-red change intervals per hour).
  • A study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that major intersections typically see 30-40 violations per day.
  • City of Garland reports 800 violations per month per camera.
9
Cities Using Photo Enforcement
  • Costs to Install System


  • No capital cost to city, equipment is owned by vendor
  • All cities contacted have established service contracts to provide the following services:
    • Install equipment
    • Collect and process photos
    • Prepare citations for review by city enforcement officials
    • Mail citations and collect fines
  • Flat monthly fee established for each camera
    • National average is $5,000 per month
    • Garland pays $5,600 per month
    • Richardson, Frisco & Plano will pay $4,870 per month (shared contract)
  • Other cities utilize city personnel to approve citations and conduct adjudication.  The City Attorney will determine if these functions can be outsourced; otherwise additional staff will be required.
  • Contracts may be structured to terminate without penalty.
10
Cities Using Photo Enforcement
  • Revenue Uses
  • Cities of Richardson, Plano and Frisco have established by ordinance that any revenues that exceed the cost of the program be directed to a traffic safety fund.
  • Net revenues in Dallas could be directed to the following traffic safety improvements:


    • Pavement markings at stop bars, cross-walks and curves
    • Intersection improvements to eliminate accident trends
    • School zones/cross walks and side walks to schools
    • Traffic signs, pavement markings and guardrails to reduce          run-off-the-road accidents
11
Steps to Implement Program
  • Establish a city ordinance to make red-light running violations determined by photo enforcement a civil penalty and establish a fine (Dallas-area cities are using $75.00).
  • Determine potential cameras sites by identifying intersections with frequent violations or a history right-angle accidents.  Cameras must be located on city streets.
  • Establish a service contract through competitive Proposals.
  • Determine if administrative adjudication and approval of photo citations can be privatized.  Otherwise, add the following additional city staff to oversee the project:
    • 1 Adjudication Hearing Officer
    • 2 Enforcement Officers (to review and approve citations)
12
Steps to Implement Program
  • February 3 Complete contract specifications
  • February 9 Request proposals for a services contract to install and operate a camera enforcement system
  • March 10 Proposals due
  • March 10 - May 15 Review proposals
  • June 14 Award and execute contract
  • August 2 Service contractor begins operating red-light enforcement cameras