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Red-Light Running Cameras. Safety Measure or Economic Boon? Presented by: Stephen Holland. Red-Light Running Cameras (RLRs). Should be used for safety purposes Very few cities are following this guideline Most RLR camera systems are used to: Pad the bottom line revenues of cities
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Red-Light Running Cameras Safety Measure or Economic Boon? Presented by: Stephen Holland
Red-Light Running Cameras (RLRs) • Should be used for safety purposes • Very few cities are following this guideline • Most RLR camera systems are used to: • Pad the bottom line revenues of cities • Maximize the profits of RLR system support companies.
How do RLR Camera Systems Work? Click Here to Find Out
IIHS Statistics (U.S.) Accidents caused by Red-Light Violators • Approx. 260,000 accidents • 22% of all accidents in the U.S. • 1200 injuries • 800 deaths
Ideal Benefits of RLR Systems • Penalize Red-Light Runners • RLRs stop running red-lights • Danger averted or reduced for those who obey the laws • Revenue for the city
PROBLEM! • Revenue for the city • Penalize Red-Light Runners • RLRs stop running red-lights • Danger averted or reduced for those who obey the laws
Case Study - San Diego, CA Profit Motive • Short or Shortened Yellow-Light Duration • Less than 4 Seconds (Preferred) • Downhill Approaches • High Traffic Volume • Created ITS or Dilemma Zone
Case Study - San Diego, CA (cont.) Profit Motive • Several Hundred Cases Thrown Out • RLR Cameras reinstituted • Increased Yellow Light Timing • RLR Rate drop from 3,000/month to 200/month • That’s an 85% drop due to yellow light timing increase of 2.5 seconds!
Case Study – Lakewood, WA Safety Motive • Proper Yellow Light Duration • Reduced Overall RLR Rate by 60% • Reduced the worst Intersection RLR Rate by 85%! • Lost $200,000!
Recommendations - Texas Properly Engineer Traffic Signals and Timing • Proper Yellow Light Length • All Way Red Pauses • Proper Timing • Award those who drive the limit with greens • Ensure that RLRs are not rewarded with greens • Time of day MATTERS!!
Recommendations – Texas (cont.) If RLR Cameras are to be used: • Base intersection selection on safety • Do not expect a profit (Electronic Guardrails) • No contingency fees for RLR Camera Companies (Pay fixed rate)
Conclusions • Profit motive is predominate • Safety motive must be encouraged • Guardrails do not turn profits so why should RLR Camera Systems • Properly Engineered Intersections rarely need cameras • Pick Lives over Money!!
THANK YOU QUESTIONS? For a copy of Stephen Holland’s Report visit http://www.stephenholland.com/rlr_report/report.doc