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- Red light running issues
- Benefits of enforcement
- How photo enforcement works
- Cities currently operating photo enforcement systems
- Steps to implement program
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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%
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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)
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- 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
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