Cities Tampering With Traffic Lights To Generate Revenue

Techdirt is reporting that there has been a rash of reports indicating that red light cameras are being used to generate revenue rather than to promote safety. "Time and time again studies have shown that if cities really wanted to make traffic crossings safer there's a very simple way to do so: increase the length of the yellow light and make sure there's a pause before the cross traffic light turns green (this is done in some places, but not in many others). Tragically, it looks like some cities are doing the opposite! Jeff Nolan points out that six US cities have been caught decreasing the length of the yellow light below the legal limits in an effort to catch more drivers running red lights and [increase] revenue."

The Six Cities are...

[Chibi]

Article is pretty worthless. It contains more hyperlinks than a Slashdot story. Here are the six cities (which are not in the linked article, but a hyperlink), in case you're interested:

1. Union City, CA
2. Dallas, TX
3. Lubbock, TX
4. Nashville, TN
5. Chattanooga, TN
6. Springfield, MO

Actual story is at Motorists.org

[DocJohn]

After jumping through two blogs (neither of which are the actual story), you'll come to Motorists.org -- the National Motorists Association -- and find the story, dated March 26, 2008 (3 weeks ago). Reading the story, you'll see they cite six different local newspaper articles, some dating back more than a year ago:

http://www.motorists.org/blog/red-light-cameras/6-cities-that-were-caught-shortening-yellow-light-times-for-profit/ [motorists.org]

So while indeed this is interesting, it is not particularly "new" nor "news." Cities have been doing this for over a decade, and they occasionally get caught, but more often than not, they do not. They will continue to push for the cameras since they generate virtually "free" revenue (free in the sense of little manpower and little initial investment cost).

Doesn't surprise me

[jimicus]

Here in the UK we've had cameras of some sort looking over traffic for years. Initially they were speed cameras; today there are also red light cameras.

The entire system is set up to make money and it's as clear as day. When a speed camera is placed at the bottom of a steep hill or in the middle of a 2-mile straight, clear stretch of road (with a tree hiding it), it's pretty unrealistic to claim they're purely for safety reasons

Depends on where you live....

[Em Adespoton]

In all the cities near me, there are yellow diamond signs with a picture of an old brownie camera in black in the middle on all approaches to intersections with cameras.

The biggest solution to decreasing accidents at intersections is actually not to increase the amber light and provide more delay before the cross street's green -- the biggest solution is to decrease the number of light cycles per day. The fewer cycles, the fewer accidents per day, even if the same number of accidents occur per cycle.

The trick is to measure the volume of through traffic on both streets per hour on weekdays and weekends and adjust the light timings accordingly, finding the "sweet spot" between causing congestion due to long waits and causing accidents due to short waits.

The long amber and green light delays are only an aid that can help tweak the system once these other factors are accounted for.

Of course, in many cities, the amber light is referred to by drivers as the "go faster" light -- having a long amber actually promotes speeding through intersections in such cities, and results in more pedestrian injuries and deaths.

Re:Bastards

[adonoman]

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that - lights timed for 35 mph are timed for 17.5 mph and 7.75 mph. But unless you're getting a full light cycle between one light and the next, going 70 mph will get you there long before the light turns green.

Not only that, but since you'd have to stop at each light, you'd be backing up traffic that was going the speed the lights are timed for.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[Bryansix]

Yes, this is true. But for certain values of time that the yellow light is on the laws of physics dictate that you cannot stop in time. This is THE POINT of the yellow light. It it to allow people who cannot physically stop their cars in time to clear the intersection before the light turns red.

Illinois

[dragonsomnolent]

I had to double check this, and it's probably going to get modded down, but nonetheless:

According to the 08 Illinois Rules of the Road: Yellow Light -- The Yellow light warns when a light is changing from Green to Red. When the red light appears, you may not enter the intersection.

This seems to be the way to go IMHO. You can't ticket someone for running the red light unless they entered the intersection when after the light turns red. I know in Missouri, however, it is the opposite, if any part of your car is in the intersection after the light is red, you can be fined. (This was something I had to remind myself of when I moved to St. Louis, and something I had to remind my wife of when we moved into IL). Just one reason I prefer IL to MO.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[tinkerghost]

What's more, the city made this change illegally. If they set the duration of the yellow light below the legal limit, and you've run a red light right as the light changed to red, I would imagine you'd have a pretty good case in court. Assuming the cop actually shows up to court, and your case isn't just thrown out because he's not there.

Where do you live? Here in MA you have to show up 3 times with the cop as a noshow before they toss it. Worse, they don't always require the cop who wrote the ticket to show up --- any cop will do, as long as he has the ticket book w/ the notes.

Re:Dallas bucks the trend

[skyshard]

Then again, Dallas is also one of the cities mentioned as shortening yellow lights in the article:

Dallas, Texas

An investigation by KDFW-TV, a local TV station, found that of the ten cameras that issued the greatest number of tickets in the city, seven were located at intersections where the yellow duration is shorter than the bare minimum recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The cityâ(TM)s second highest revenue producing camera, for example, was located at the intersection of Greenville Avenue and Mockingbird Lane. It issued 9407 tickets worth $705,525 between January 1 and August 31, 2007. At the intersections on Greenville Avenue leading up to the camera intersection, however, yellows are at least 3.5 or 4.0 seconds in duration, but the ticket-producing intersectionâ(TM)s yellow stands at just 3.15 seconds. That is 0.35 seconds shorter than TxDOTâ(TM)s recommended bare minimum. Dallas likewise installed the cameras at locations with existing short yellow times. A total of twenty-one camera intersections in Dallas had yellow times below TxDOT's bare minimum recommended amount.

The ticket camera program in Dallas made the news recently for shutting down some of its cameras because they were no longer profitable.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[Collapsing Empire]

This is a really specious argument. The yellow light could be made 60 seconds long and yet there will still be people who try to make it 59.85 seconds into the yellow and end up running the light because it just changed to red.

If you see the light turn yellow, so can the people behind you and it is totally their fault if they rear-end you.

I understand and agree with you that the learned behavior of most people is to try to gun their engines when the light turns yellow. However, that behavior is still wrong, ultimately, and causes accidents for the reason I stated above.

call your traffic engineering dept.

[Brigadier]

In my field, I work with city depts quite a bit. I'm in southern California by the way. Each city has its own traffic engineering department. The timing on lights is based on traffic surveys which are typically requested by the city whenever a development goes in which will affect traffic patters. This has to be paid for by the developer. So though there are DOT and county guidlines, CalTrans in my case. The city does have jurisdiction over the timing of the light.

Now as a citizen it is your right to attend your next council meeting and protest this matter in a public forum. If your lucky someone might request a study be done. your best bet will be to point out inconsistencies between similar public intersections with and without lights, or better yet before and after the light was installed.

As a general rule yoru traffic engineer dept is full of lazy donut eating public servants who avoid teh private sector because of there inability to perform. ie he/she is usually a ripe target.

As a traffic engineer...

[thriftyjd]

...the timing of the Yellow and All-Red intervals are pretty straightforward. The Yellow should be 3-6 seconds long, and is based upon the approach speeds (the higher the speed, the longer the Yellow). The purpose of the Yellow is warn traffic of an impending change in Right-of-Way assignment. On a typical urban roadway with speeds of 30 mph, the Yellow should be 3 seconds long.

The All-Red interval should also be 3-6 seconds long, and should be based upon the geometry and size of the intersection, as well as the approach speeds. The purpose of the All-Red interval is to ensure that the intersection is clear of crossing traffic prior to assigning the Right-of-Way to a side street or pedestrian crossing. To determine the appropriate length of an All-Red interval, you need measure the distance from the stop line to the far side of the intersection (typically past the far crosswalk) and determine the approach speed. 30 m.p.h. = 44 ft/sec, so if the distance from the stop line to the far crosswalk is 88 feet, the appropriate All-Red interval would be 2 seconds. To be conservative, you can also add the length of a typical vehicle (~25 ft.) into the equation.

With that knowledge in hand, you may be able to fight a red light-running ticket if you believe the timing provided for you was too short. Those are the general guidelines across the US. Individual states, counties, and cities may have different criteria, though.

And cameras may even have a negative impact?

[joe_n_bloe]

According to an article in the Washington Post [washingtonpost.com], not only have red light cameras failed to reduce the number of accidents at intersections where they were installed, but in many cases the number of traffic accidents in those accidents actually increased dramatically.

The analysis shows that the number of crashes at locations with cameras more than doubled, from 365 collisions in 1998 to 755 last year. Injury and fatal crashes climbed 81 percent, from 144 such wrecks to 262. Broadside crashes, also known as right-angle or T-bone collisions, rose 30 percent, from 81 to 106 during that time frame. Traffic specialists say broadside collisions are especially dangerous because the sides are the most vulnerable areas of cars.

The city of Baltimore has been under constant scrutiny for red light camera policies that appear to be unsafe and/or in financial conflict with the public interest. In the report mentioned here [thenewspaper.com], Administrative Judge Keith "One T" Mathews wrote the following summary:

Red light cameras can work to protect the public. Unfortunately, the Baltimore City Red Light Camera Enforcement System (RLCES), as it is presently operated, can be seen as a revenue-producing measure instead of safety-oriented when examined against the following:

1. Contract between Baltimore City and Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS)
2. Contingency vs. Flat-fee Arrangement
3. Unclear Standards for Yellow Light Settings
4. Inconsistent and Short Yellow Light Times
5. Lack of Delay Times/Grace Period
6. Decreased Minimum Threshold Speed Limits
7. Lack of Clear Objectives and Measurement Data (especially accident data)

                      These concerns greatly reduce the credibility of the RLCES and the City governing its operability. Therefore, each of these concerns should be addressed in a timely manner to ensure citizen confidence in the use of the RLCES, the City, the police department, and the judicial body that enforces the citations.[2]

The one thing that red light cameras have always consistently accomplished, however, is revenue generation on a large scale.

Re:the pause between llight changes

[gd2shoe]

That sounds like a place where traffic cameras are called for.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[Pharmboy]

They HAD them here in North Carolina, ran for about a year. Then someone brought up the fact that our State Constitution says that all traffic fines levied must go DIRECTLY to the schools, 100%. The camera companies were charging 50% royalty for each ticket given, and the counties were keeping the rest. Now there are a host of lawsuits out trying to force them both to give up 100% of the funds to the schools. The cameras are still here, but haven't been in operation for a couple of years.

It's hard for the camera companies to make any money (and pay for the cameras) if you have to give 100% to someone else.

Re:Red Shift

[protolith]

I was using "Red Shift" as more of the generic and popular term to refer to the doppler effect on light.

Blue shift (while more correct) sounds like something involving the police, and attempting to drive my car at speeds approaching C on public roads.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[general scruff]

I thought it was 1-1.5 seconds per every 10 MPH of the speed limit. 45 MPH zone = ~4-6 seconds.
I know that falls within the limit you found, but I think the MPH dictates the length of the yellow.

Cleveland is the worst

[bmccartney]

In downtown Cleveland, the city has put the traffic cameras in high-traffic areas, but where there is no cross traffic, nor any foot traffic. They actually got in a pile of trouble with the state, and now, people from cleveland SLAM on their brakes as they near these stop lights (they have signs to warn motorists). This is OBVIOUSLY to generate revenue, in fact, the city has bragged about it on a number of occasions! People don't actually run these lights anymore, but the city monetizes speeding violations with the cameras. In the State of Ohio hearings on the matter, it turned out that 97% of the tickets issued were for speeding.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[sm62704]

That doesn't make any sense to me, and I don't see how it would fly. If you hit someone in the rear, you're following too close!

A friend of my ex-wife once complained about being ticketed when she was in an accident. The light turned yellow, the driver in front of her stopped, and she rear-ended the other driver. Evil-X's friend was livid that the other driver had the gall to stop for a yellow light!

I'm a pizza driver in Chattanooga

[Spazntwich]

and I am not surprised in the least to see Chattanooga on this list. I've been seeing yellow light times decrease (especially at the red light intersections) for as long as I can remember, and I've been seeing more and more near misses and bullshit tickets given out as drivers who have no safe choice but to continue through a yellow light get bitten by the flash of the camera.

As for myself, I just risk the rear-ender and tend to slam on my brakes when I see camera lights go yellow. Those $50 tickets can add up.

Re:The Six Cities are...

[PuckSR]

Let me try to clear it up, since I live in Lubbock, TX. The cameras were installed When the statistics were reviewed, it was found that the intersections which had cameras were now MORE dangerous, despite the fact that city-wide traffic incidents had been on the decline. Lubbock's city government has been desperately trying to fight a constant tide of facts that prove that they create more of a public safety problem than they help. However, you must remember this is Lubbock. A college town that decided to curb drinking by requiring all beer/liquor stores are in a single location. It has no effect on alcohol consumption, but has led to a rather dangerous situation when hundreds of people try to "beat the clock" to get there before the store closes. It helps that half of them are drunk.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[Anonymous Coward]

--> Suppose I'm used to yellow lights lasting 6 seconds, and I know I can get through the light in 5 seconds.

This may come as a shock to many, but in most (all?) states, you are supposed to stop on yellow if possible. Not 'beat the red', but stop. Really.

Re:Another flagrant abuse...

[rossz]

The plates don't send secret signals. They simply have a special seal on them that is easily recognizable. The police don't give tickets to people with these plates and the people who check the light-camera photos don't issue the ticket. Nothing high tech about it.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[nehumanuscrede]

Houston is another city that is installing red
light cameras just as fast as they can get them up.

Police review the video footage of any
vehicle that triggers the camera. If you're found
to have committed the offense, the ticket is
generated and mailed to you. They also send a link
along to the video where you can watch yourself
blow the light :)

You normally won't see a ticket if the light
was still yellow on entering the intersection.
Most folks who are seeing the violations are
blatantly blasting through the intersection
after the light has gone red.

So the way the system is set up currently, you
can tell fairly quickly if the light is cycling
faster than it should and if you truly deserved
the citation.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[jedidiah]

No it isn't.

Yelow means "clear the intersection".

It doens't mean "slam on your brakes" and it doesn't mean "floor it".

Re:Grounds to contest?

[ahecht]

Actually, they had to give 90%, and the school board is working out a deal to bring them back.

See http://www.motorists.org/blog/red-light-cameras/local-school-board-wants-ticket-camera-cash/ [motorists.org]

A Meditation On The Speed Limit

[H0NGK0NGPH00EY]

For anyone that's interested, the video referred to above is titled "A Meditation On The Speed Limit." [campusmoviefest.com]

Re:Grounds to contest?

[UncleTogie]

This may come as a shock to many, but in most (all?) states, you are supposed to stop on yellow if possible.

Not all states. From Texas's Transportation Code, Chapter 544.007: [state.tx.us]

(d) An operator of a vehicle facing only a steady red signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. A vehicle that is not turning shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown. After stopping, standing until the intersection may be entered safely, and yielding right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection, the operator may:
(1) turn right
or
(2) turn left, if the intersecting streets are both one-way streets and a left turn is permissible.
(e) An operator of a vehicle facing a steady yellow signal is warned by that signal that:
(1) movement authorized by a green signal is being terminated; or
(2) a red signal is to be given.

In addition, they have to WARN you that they're using traffic cams, as seen here in sections 544.012(c) and (d):

(c) The municipality shall install signs along each roadway that leads to an intersection at which a photographic traffic monitoring system is in active use. The signs must be at least 100 feet from the intersection or located according to standards established in the manual adopted by the Texas Transportation Commission under Section 544.001, be easily readable to any operator approaching the intersection, and clearly indicate the presence of a photographic monitoring system that records violations that may result in the issuance of a notice of violation and the imposition of a monetary penalty.
(d) A municipality that fails to comply with Subsection (c) may not impose or attempt to impose a civil or administrative penalty against a person, including the owner of a motor vehicle or an operator, for a failure to comply with the instructions of a traffic-control signal located at the applicable intersection.

Re:Grounds to contest?

[mrchaotica]

When the light turns red, staying put would be even worse than going, so you go

More importantly, already being in the intersection means that you're not breaking the law when the light turns red -- it's only illegal to enter it under a red light.

Re:As a traffic engineer...

[thriftyjd]

As I stated originally, with higher speeds, the All-Red time should decrease since it speed and All-Red time is an inverse relationship. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) calculations for All-Red are based upon clearing a vehicle through an intersection during the All-Red phase. In my experience most, if not all, jurisdictions allow vehicles to be in an intersection at the start of red. Philip Tarnoff of the University of Maryland Center for Advanced Transportation Technology did a study based on the delay calculations found in the Traffic Engineering Handbook and found that "neither yellow nor all-red times have a significant impace on capacity, and that all-red time will only have a significant impact on delay under heavy traffic conditions." He did his study based on traffic signals with 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-phase cycles, and the delay increases significantly as you increase the number of phsaes. I work mostly with 2-, 3-, or 4-phase cycles, so the added safety benefit of having a longer all-red phase usually outweighs the slight increase in delay.

Re:Go to court, contest the fine, and show it w/ p

[Miseph]

Beat it at what? Being right? Sure. Changing it? I've seen precious little in these parts to suggest our lawmakers are even remotely swayed by things like "facts" or "common fucking sense".

Re:A Meditation On The Speed Limit

[zotz]

Youtube has it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoETMCosULQ [youtube.com]

And google video here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5366552067462745475 [google.com]

drew

Re:Grounds to contest?

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, the money should go to the companies that make LED lights that don't show up on the visible spectrum that you can put around your license plate so it can't be read by a camera. Technology exists so we don't have to be controlled by idiots. Fight the power!

Nothing Happens? Ever?

[KarmaOverDogma]

"However if you don't pay the fines *nothing* happens."

This is also true in Cleveland, Ohio, since red-light camera violations are civil, not criminal violations (in the state of Ohio, anyway).

Until, of course, you want to renew your drivers license. Then you not only have to pay the fine but a substantial penalty as well. Unlike criminal vehicular violations, which have a statute of limitations, civil infractions/verdicts have no such limits. This is how the city gets away with nailing you at the bureau of motor vehicles; the same way they do with parking tickets.

I'm very curious if this is the same in your state, too. And if so, if you've tried to renew *your* license.