Overview
Automated red light enforcement using cameras has proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of red light running and the number of red light running accidents. There are currently twenty-one known states and one territory which have considered camera technology for enforcement and have either passed legislation or are considering legislation to enforce red light running with camera technology. These are Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Washington State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As well, some local communities are utilizing red light camera technologies based on the passage of local ordinances.
At the same time, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) offered grants to five states to implement red light running technologies (cameras) for test and evaluation in red light running enforcement. The sites were: Los Angeles, CA; Ft. Meade, FL; Charleston, SC; Howard County, MD; and Washington, DC. These efforts have involved the test and evaluation of still 35 mm (wet film) and digital camera technology. Additionally, Washington, D.C. is using video technology in some locations. Howard County, Los Angeles and Ft. Meade have completed projects with efforts still underway at the other locations. Initial reports show success with the technology and reduction of RLR crashes. Additional funding has been granted to Howard County to test and evaluate digital camera technology with images sent from two different intersections to one central processing center. Howard County has both still and digital systems installed throughout the county. The digital camera evaluation is a one year effort to be completed ..... A final report documenting the preliminary results of the FHWA demonstration project entitled Synthesis and Evaluation of Red Light Running Electronic Enforcement Programs in the United States is now available.
If you would like to add something to this site concerning red light cameras, contact Patrick Hasson of the Federal Highway Administration.
