Automated enforcement for speeding and red light running

"Speeding and red light running are significant problems for both highway safety and traffic violations. Both have a significantly large impact on fatal crashes; however, both of these behaviors can be greatly affected by enforcement. Automated enforcement is a tool that can be utilized by states and local agencies to reduce the prevalence of excessive speeding and running red lights, as well as to improve roadway safety for all users. Although automated red light camera and speed camera enforcement systems have been used in other countries for more than 30 years, it has been only in the last 20 years that they have been used in the United States. Much can be learned from agencies that operate a successful automated enforcement program. Understanding what makes a program successful is essential so that other agencies can either improve their programs or start programs of their own. The goal of this research was to find out which automated enforcement programs have been successful and what contributed to their success, as well as which programs have been unsuccessful and to draw lessons from their experiences. This was accomplished through a comprehensive assessment of automated speed and red light running enforcement activity in the United States and Canada, which led to the development of guidelines to assist agencies in implementing and operating successful automated enforcement programs. Over 350 jurisdictions with current or past automated enforcement programs were contacted by survey and phone as part of the assessment. In addition to the survey, an extensive literature review was conducted to determine the effect of the programs, cost effectiveness, and resource requirements, and to get the perspective of the public. Legislation from each of the 50 states was compiled and reviewed to summarize state-by-state legal requirements for initiating and operating automated speed and red light camera enforcement programs. Site visits were conducted for the following: City of Portland, Oregon; City of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and City of San Diego, California. Information from the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was obtained through correspondence and telephone discussions. These four cities were identified as having successful automated enforcement programs. A case study report was developed for each of these cities. The case studies provide information on the initiation of the program, enabling legislation, program structure, and program operation for each of the cities. In each city, program personnel were asked to identify elements that have contributed to the success of their program. Key elements included having a solid engineering foundation, employing a multidisciplinary approach, regular monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring that the entire program is to the public and the media."--Summary.