1 30 12 Clerk's Skeleton Notes
Local history with cameras
Trial project at JFK and Pennsylvania
Developments in technology
Accident investigations
Local accident totals -2011
Accident totals – IDOT 2002-2010
Accident by street –longer streets with multiple intersections
Accidents/IDOT
Engineering Department looks at accidents by vehicle volume
Traffic Enforcement: Top violations for 2011
Challenges: Locations, calls for service, size of city increasing
ATE Review process: On-site visits to other cities, state-wide meetings, statistical and
study reviews
Request for Proposals issued November 2011, closed December 2011, review
committee in January 2012.
Official traffic control signals code excerpt 9-7-321.257 and definitions of “steady
circular red” and “steady circular yellow” lights.
ATE will be a matter of public record with changes publicized, city entry points and
enforcement areas
System process when a violation occurs through notice of violations and owner options
including watching video of the infractions, contesting the fine, or paying the fine.
Additional benefits: live feed capability, post accident/incident review, criminal
investigations review
What ATE does not do: eliminate traffic violations, street investigations or eliminate the
need for physical officer
Goals for ATE: _______
Responding to questions from City Council, Chief Dalsing stated that Dubuque has 116
signalized intersections in the city. The current camera system is not intended for traffic
enforcement but has at times been used for accident review. Yellow light means drivers
should being to stop is not good to go or enter an intersection unlawfully. Accelerating to
beat the light may cause speed violation and/or a red light violation. Rolling right reds
are not differentiated from red light violations. Low-volume accident intersections may
require more traditional methods of traffic enforcement. Does not have information on
issues related to texting while driving. Traffic violation citation $100 fine by state code,
$195 with court fees by code. City establishes what fee would be for civil infraction but
he does not recommend exceeding the state code. General traffic criminal violation vs.
civil infraction without court fees. Might have minimal limits and a ceiling and would not
affect driver’s records. If a vehicle may be flagged if it is in the intersection when the
light turns red.
634 traffic light violations. Police has final say, not privatized, vendor reviews only.
David: Citizen issues with trying to get fines reviewed and may just pay the fine instead.
Can the 8% of red light violations be decreased?
MVM: Enforcement is a deterrent. System will hold red for remaining intersection if it
detects someone running the intersection. System detects a driver and holds the red for
the other directions then detects the violation. Technological capabilities can prevent
accidents as well.
Kevin: intersection numbers will be provided to vendor and they will also do an
independent study. Total 5 submissions; committee when through all and narrowed it
down to 2. Viewed presentations from both. Many similarities or speed-, red light-only
enforcement. Criteria laid out in proposal. Week to 10 days to process ticket to
notification depending on volume.
3 fatalities related to red light violations in the last 10 years.
Consistency will be stressed within police department.
Engineering Safety Solutions
Intersections: design, example projects, infrastructure/equipment
Safer Geometric designs:
Roundabout and statistics
Turning lane design (e.g. NW Arterial)
Traffic safety improvements
Downtown mastarm improvements
Reduced lanes, speeds revised striping, improved crosswalks
Technology improvements: preemptions, battery backups
New 12 LED signals replacements
Factors affecting intersection safety: count down peds installed where appropriate, mast
arm replacements, vision triangles, yellow beacons, yellow/red/green duration,
clearance times and calculating ITE formulas (Institute of Transportation Engineers).
Examples of red light accidents at Dubuque intersection.
Responding to questions from City Council, City Engineer Gus Psihoyos stated that
they do not have statistical data/profile on accidents. Set for vehicle detection not
accidents.
David: Why are some intersections signalized or 4-way stops? Correlation between
yellow duration and red light running. ITE recommends being consistent throughout
city. Accidents would drop initially but regress over time as people grew used to the
duration. Intentional vs. unintentional. All red clearance time already in place with 4
second yellow. Total 7 seconds combined yellow and red. People are still running them.
Aaron Rosenberg, Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., executive VP
Industry has evolved over the years.
History of company and credentials, 20 years+ of uninterrupted experience in USA.
25 state and Canada. 50 municipalities in IA, MO, IL
New program to Dubuque
Traffic Safety Coalition tool kit
Crash video examples
U.S. fatality statistics from speed and red light accidents
Intersections are a Planned point of conflict
Dubuque accidents statistics
Not a panacea
Evaluating red light running programs in Iowa
Public Safety Benefits results and statistics from the Arizona Department of Public
Safety and City of Columbus, Ohio.
Three “E’s of traffic safety
System is meant to be used as other traffic enforcement designs are. Another tool.
Raise cognition through signage. Behavior modification
ABC: antecedents, behaviors, consequences
A: impatient, rushed, distracted
B: Stop (desired); Run (undesired)
C: Punishment
Unfortunate proof when systems in other systems were turned off.
Intersection analysis and reporting
Halo, speed, red
Halo: Dilemma zone formula, collision avoidance technology
Hardware options: sensors, still and digital cameras, mobile unit mounts
High level process flow: system will not physically arm until the red is engaged, access
to all 50 state DMV and strict screening guidelines. No ticket is sent out until Dubuque
Police review/reject, Notice by mail has URL/video, photo images, call center number
with trained personal, appeal/pay/nominate another driver. Most states adhere to civil
infractions with same rights and privileges as a parking ticket. App Suite for remote
location access. Example of police authorization website view, video information, and
review process.
Violator perspective
Tapes are available for investigations, archive
Public outreach – template driven technology, branding, website development, common
consistent messaging.
Responding to questions from City Council, Mr. Rosenburg stated that they front the
investment in terms of equipment, installation, etc., except engineering time and law
enforcement time. Investment is on their shoulders. Legislation may not have full
understanding of how the system works and benefits. Have full team on the ground at
the state house. Zero risk if legislation prohibition takes place. Redflex will take out
equipment. Contracts are written for this possibility.
Pricing: many ways, fixed fees regardless of # of violation or percentage based on
violations received plus incremental expenses. Per paid ticket business. Zero paid if
zero collected.
David: Any contracts that do not include right on red? Set up for city law enforcement to
determine if safe and if ticket should be issued. Corporate headquarters in Phoenix, AZ,
holding company in Australia. Decidedly mixed studies. Doesn’t agree with domestic
surveillance. Do what we can do to improve safety but 99% of tickets in cited city were
not safety issues.
Karla: Does Dubuque need cameras? Begin with worst first and evolve. Look at crash
history, violation history and actual occurrence video and look at other design issues.
Data is provided back to law enforcement and local authorities to determine need for
cameras. Reiterated up front investment and installation with no risk to city. Each
intersection can have several systems and cities could pay by fixed fee. Most will chose
per pay. Fixed fee is chosen because of state statute. $29 cut if $100 fine if set by City.
Kevin: reasons for taking out systems: Non-renewal of grant funding, Council chose to
rescind ordinance, or voter referendum.
Joyce: Vandalism cameras in parking, leisure services, private businesses: no public
objection noted on those, big brother syndrome, disobedience of laws, many other
examples of surveillance. It’s breaking the law regardless of safety issue. We have
choices if we don’t like the consequences.
Roy: received many comments, mostly pro issue. No up front costs to taxpayers and will
intuitively change behavior. Driving is a privilege. Wait for signal from legislature in
about 2 months, funnel dates.
Kevin: Next steps? Pending state legislation within approximately 3 months. Can make
a case for and against.
Joyce – keep working at it with staff? Dalsing: Legal is looking at model ordinances,
consider contract negotiations. Continue conversation with City and Redflex.
Gus – Not much staff time for passing on information
MVM – might be 6 weeks for funnel out comes. Still have discussions with Redflex while
waiting for legislature and have ordinance and contract ready.
Karla: Is Redflex willing to continue discussion even if prohibition takes place. Yes.
Coalition at state level in support.
David: Right turn on red crashed rep less than 1% of crashed and rarely result in
fatality. Majority of tickets from right on red? Depends on strictness of municipality.
Prohibit no right on red at intersections. Little safety value on this type of violation.
Redflex follows the discretion of the City.
Consensus to wait until State makes its decision. Continue with discussions with
Redflex.