Red-Light Running

Red Light Camera Q & As
Implementing a Stop-Red Light Running Campaign
Data & Statistics
Technical Assistance & Tools
Policy & Guidelines
Research Projects
Resources

Implementing a Stop-Red Light Running Campaign

Overview (Professional Resources: Overview, National Stop on Red Week, Plan a Campaign)
Implementation Site Background [PDF 105 KB]
National Stop on Red Week Overview
Program Overview: Plan Your Own Campaign
Plan Your Own Campaign: Program Funding
Plan Your Own Campaign: Organizing a Coalition
Plan Your Own Campaign: Pre-Program Assessment
Plan Your Own Campaign: Media and Public Relations Techniques
Marketing Materials
The National Stop Red Light Running Program has developed a variety of marketing materials for use in your local SRLR program. From professionally produced public service announcements to art for bumper stickers, podium signs, and program buttons, these materials will help you attract the attention of both the media and your target audiences. Public service announcements (PSAs) are provided in the three mediums of television, radio, and print. Many of these materials were focus-group tested and have been used successfully in previous pilot site programs.
Program Launch and Beyond
Ongoing Evaluation

Data & Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2005 alone, nearly 9,200 people died and approximately one million people were injured in intersection-related crashes—approximately 40-45 percent of all crashes. According to 2005 data from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, crashes caused by red light running (RLR) resulted in an estimated 805 fatalities.

Red light cameras are used for law enforcement. For a complete list, see http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/rlc_cities.html
For information on automated enforcement laws in each state see: http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/auto_enforce.html
Engineering countermeasures considered useful include improving signal visibility (placement and number of signal heads, size of signal display, line of sight), improving signal conspicuity (redundancy, light emitting diode signal lenses, backplates, strobe lights), increasing the likelihood of stopping (signal ahead signs, advanced warning flashers, rumble strips, left-turn signal signs and pavement condition), addressing intentional violations (traffic signal optimization, change in cycle lengths, change in timing of yellow and red intervals, and dilemma zone protection), and eliminating the need to stop (remove unwarranted signals, change to flashing mode operation or convert intersections to roundabouts).
Analysis of Red Light Violation Data Collected from Intersections Equipped with Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras, DOT HS 810 580, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. March 2006. [PDF 1.22 MB]

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Technical Assistance & Tools

Making Intersections Safer: A Toolbox of Engineering Countermeasures to Reduce Red-Light Running, ITE Report 115, 2003.
Report addresses intersection design and operational features that may need to be upgraded to reduce red-light running. It provides a background of the characteristics of the red-light running problem; identifies how various engineering measures can be implemented to address this problem; suggests a procedure for selecting the appropriate engineering measures, and provides guidance on when enforcement, including red light cameras, may be appropriate.
A complementary, Field Guide for Inspecting Signalized Intersections to Reduce Red-Light Running, FHWA-SA-05-008, is also available. (Need to insert new link for ordering multimedia.)
- Field Inspection Form
Engineering Challenges and Opportunities
Association of Selected Intersection Factors with Red-Light-Running Crashes, FHWA-RD-00-112, May 2000. [PDF 539 KB]
This study examined selected geometric characteristics of intersections, their impact on RLR crash rates, and tried to establish a relationship between them. The major questions addressed in this report concerning RLR crashes are:
- Does the width of the cross-street have any effect on RLR crash risk?
- What is the relationship of other select intersection characteristics to RLR crashes?
- Using this information, how can one better target urban intersections for traffic law enforcement techniques such as RLR cameras or heightened intersection enforcement coupled with publicity?
Red-Light Camera Enforcement
- Camera Technology
  This two-page fact sheet provides an overview of the three types of cameras most often used for red light enforcement.

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Policy / Guidelines

Implementation Guidance
A brief introduction to implementation issues related to red light enforcement cameras.
Red Light Camera Systems Operational Guidelines, January 2005.

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Research Projects

Red Light Running, Phase II
Cameras that detect vehicles that run a red light and then issue a ticket based on the vehicle license plate is one strategy that many U.S. agencies have used to reduce the number of vehicles running red lights. The agencies’ intent is to reduce not only the number of intersection crashes but also the severity. The cameras’ effectiveness has been debated because they are often viewed by the public as intrusive and, in some cases, have been shown to increase the low-severity crashes such as rear ends. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of red light running cameras in Iowa in reducing instances of red-light running violations and accidents. Currently, red light running cameras are located in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Clive, and Sioux City.
Start date: 2006/8/1; Status: Active
Source Organization: Iowa State University, Ames
Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras, FHWA HRT-05-048, April 2005. [HTML, PDF 621 KB]
The fundamental objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of red-light-camera (RLC) systems in reducing crashes. The study involved an empirical Bayes (EB) before-after research using data from seven jurisdictions across the United States to estimate the crash and associated economic effects of RLC systems.
Safety Evaluation of Red Light Cameras—Executive Summary. [HTML, PDF 149 KB]

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Resources

Presentations

Red-Light Running

Publications

FHWA Study Finds Red Light Running Violations Down 60 Percent (FHWA 9-00)
A Nationwide Survey of Red Light Running: Measuring Driver Behaviors for the “Stop Red Light Running” Program, June – August, 1999. [PDF 206 KB]
National Effort Spotlights Red Light Running (FHWA 31-01)
Reports and Articles
Synthesis and Evaluation of Red Light Running Electronic Enforcement Programs in the United State [PDF 173 KB]