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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2000-14 e. e RESOLUTZON NO. 2000-~ A RESOLUTZON OF THE CZTY COUNCZL OF THE CZTY OF LA PORTE SUPPORTZNG THE PASSAGE OF ENABLZNG LEGZSLATZON FOR PHOTOGRAPHZC RED LZGHT ENFORCEMENT ZN THE 77TH LEGZSLATUREi FZNDZNG COMPLZANCE WZTH THE OPEN MEETZNGS LAWi AND PROVZDZNG AN EFFECTZVE DATE HEREOF. WHEREAS, the disregard of traffic signals causes 260,000 accidents annually in the united states which accounts for twenty- two percent (22%) of all motor vehicle crashes, making it the largest single accident cause; and WHEREAS, the disregard of traffic signals or stop signs accounted for 28,019 accidents in Texas in 1998, of which 191 involved fatalities; and WHEREAS, the ci ty of Richardson conducted a photographic traffic signal enforcement test site during January and February of 1999, and found that one red light violation occurred every two minutes during peak traffic periods and a violation occurred, on a daily average, every five minutes; and WHEREAS, photographic traffic signal enforcement techniques have been used worldwide for over forty years; and WHEREAS, currently in the united states only ten states have laws that permit photographic enforcement and the statistics from these states show that the number of red light accidents and fatalities have been significantly reduced since these laws were enacted; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CZTY COUNCZL OF THE CZTY OF LA PORTE: section 1. That the city council recognizes that a traffic signal violation epidemic exists in the state of Texas, and recognizes that photographic traffic signal enforcement is a proven and effective method to address this problem. section 2. That the City Council hereby supports the passage of enabling legislation for photographic traffic signal enforcement in the 77th Texas Legislature and encourages other local and State government officials to support this important issue. section 3. The city Council officially finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council was e e posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the ci ty for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this resolution and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. section 4. This Resolution shall be effective from and after its passage and approval. PASSED AND APPROVED this 11th day of September, 2000. By: ~ OF LA PORTE ~A-,' ~ N rman If:~ne, Mayor ATr:::Y1~ ~tha A. Gillett t"V City Secretary Knox City 2 . V'l':;:'::M~t7r~";.:!.;I~ .- \I;. ". July 30, 2000 fB) lE CleO WI [S rnlp1 Ifl1 JUL 3 1 2000 UdJ The Honorable Norman Malone City of La Porte P.O. Box 1115 La Porte, TX 77572-1115 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE 7=/w ~ I<.~ Dear Mayor Malone: Over the last several years we have experienced a significant increase in traffic on our Texas roadways. Similarly, we have also seen a rise In traffic accidents, which resulted In 3,576 fatalities in 1998. One type of traffic accident that has shown to be highly damaging and is one of the highest causes of traffic fatalities in Texas are accidents resulting from red light running. Disregard of traffic signals cause approximately 260,000 accidents annually in the United States and accounts for 22% of all motor vehicle crashes. In Texas red light and stop sign running caused 28,019 accidents in 1998, of which 191 of those were fatal. From 1992 to 1998 Texas experienced 663 deaths resulting from red light running, which ranks fourth in the nation. To better understand the number of red light running violations occurring at intersections experiencing heavy traffic In Texas, the City of Richardson conducted a photographic red light enforcement test site at westbound Campbell Road and US75 in January and February of 1999. We found that one vehicle was running a red light every two minutes during peak periods and every five minutes on an average daily basis. Photographic red light enforcement has been a proven technique for over forty years to address traffic signal disregard. Ten states have enabled cities to utilize this type of enforcement and received positive results. Red light running violations have decreased at intersections with cameras by as much as 60% after one year of operation. Cities have also seen an overall decrease in accidents resulting from red light violations. . Based on the staggering amount of damage caused by traffic signal disregard, the effectiveness of photographic red light enforcement, and the Interest of residents, the Richardson City Council passed a resolution on June 26, 2000 supporting enabling legislation in the 77th Legislature that will allow cities to utilize photographic red light enforcement. We encourage you to join us in this important effort. CQ 0: ~. . E~;\"IllI..:-;}iE~T '{":'l{~' ~'lm:':IlI.l" P.O. Box 830309 Richardson, TX 75083.()309 972-238-4100 Fax 972-238..4219 e e Attached Is additional information for your review. We have Included an executive summary that provides further details on the red light running problem, as well as information regarding legislative support activities; Also Included In your packet Is a copy of the resolution passed by the City of Richardson, a description of a photographic red light enforcement system, and related articles of Interest. In order to pass this Important legislation in the 2001 Session, a statewide effort Is needed. Richardson's City Manager Bill Keffler is in the process of facilitating the formation of a steering committee to support this legislative item in the 2001 session and we would certainly be interested in hearing from you regarding your city's desire to participate. The steering committee would work in concert with a regional red light enforcement campaign organized through the North Texas Pollee Chiefs Association. Information will also be sent to your city manager regarding a photographic red light enforcement seminar scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2000. The seminar will be conducted by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Seminars organization and Is designed for local government staff members. The seminar will provide an overview of the red light running issue nationwide and show how automated enforcement Is an effective method to address this problem. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the latest efforts to promote the passage of enabling legislation in the 77th Legislature. We also encourage you to pass a resolution In support of photographic red light enforcement and work with your legislators to educate them on this issue and gain their support. We look forWard to working with you throughout the upcoming session in order to give cities the ability to use this effective enforcement technique. If you have any questions or would like additional information, do not hesitate to contact David Morgan, Administrative Assistant in the City Manager's Office, at (972) 744- 4202. Sincerely, ~~ Gary A. Slagel Mayor ENCLOSURES cc: Richardson City Council Bill Keffler, City Manager Robert T. Herrera, City Manager .: : e .e Executive Summary Photographic Red Light Enforcement Legislation Background: In previous legislative sessions, efforts were made to pass enabling legislation that would allow municipalities to utilize photographic red light enforcement. Despite hard work by legislators, cities, citizens and lobbyists, campaigns for photographic red light enforcement were not successful. The City of Richardson and other heavily populated areas in the state continue to see a rise in red light running and an unacceptable number of accidents associated with this dangerous violation. Disregard of traffic signals cause approximately 260,000 accidents annually In the United States and accounts for 22% of all motor vehicle crashes. In Texas red light and stop sign running caused 28,019 accidents in 1998, of which 191 of those were fatal. From 1992 to 1998 Texas experienced 663 deaths resulting from red light running, which ranks fourth in the nation. To beiter understand the red light running epidemic, the City of Richardson established a photographic red light enforcement test site at westbound Campbell Road and US75. Richardson found that one vehicle was running a red light every two minutes during peak periods and every five minutes on an average daily basis. Photographic Red Light Enforcement: Photographic red light enforcement has been a proven method for over forty years. Ten states have enabled cities to utilize this type of enforcement and received positive results. (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington) Red light running violations have decreased at Intersections with cameras by as much as 60% after one year. Cities have also seen a significant decrease In accidents resulting from red light violations. The City of Oxnard, California experienced a 22% decrease citywide in accidents resulting from traffic signal disregard after one year of using photographic red light enforcement, with a 40% decrease at Intersections with cameras. The photographic red light enforcement system uses sensors to determine when a vehicle enters the intersection along with sensors that interface with the traffic light to determine if a violation has occurred. The equipment then records the violation in both image and data formats. Each violation generates two photos; one at the beginning of the violation and one as the vehicle leaves the intersection. Data of the location, date, time, speed, amber time and red time are stamped on each photo. A photograph is only taken if the sensor detects a violation and the proposed legislation would require a photograph only be taken of the rear of the vehicle In order to identify the license plate. After the photographs and recorded data are reviewed by a trained police officer, a citation would be sent to the owner of the vehicle. Response to Opposition: In the 1999 Legislative Session some legislators expressed concerns about photographic red light enforcement. Below are the concerns express as well as rebuttals. e '.e Invasion of orivacv - The proposed legislation would only take a photograph of the rear of the vehicle and would not identify the driver or passengers. Photographs would only be taken of violators operating vehicles on public streets. The American Civil liberties Union (ACLU) is not opposed to cameras being used to enforcement traffic violations. Finally, the life saving benefits of this enforcement technique outweighs the privacy of a red light violator. Photograohlc red Iiaht enforcement will be used where it Is unwarranted - The proposed legislation will place population requirements, so that photographic enforcement can only be used in cities with high traffic volumes. The cameras will be used for surveillance - A photographic red light enforcement system cannot be manipulated to be used for surveillance are similar purposes. A photograph is only taken after sensors detect a violator. This is a monevmaker for municioalitles - The proposed legislation will set the fine at a level so that photographic red light enforcement is revenue neutral to cities. The legislation will also stipulate that any excess revenue generated from this enforcement technique must be used in an appropriate manner. Bill structure: In order to Increase the chances of passage, photographic red light enforcement I~glslation will address concerns expressed by legislators and others. We propose future legislation: . Require the photograph of the violator be taken of the rear of the vehicle in order maximize the privacy of the driver. The citation would then be a civil offense (similar to a parking ticket). . Place population requirements in order to ensure photographic red light enforcement Is only used in areas with high traffic volumes. . Require City Councils approve this enforcement technique before it can be implemented In a municipality. . Ensure any excess revenue from photographic red light enforcement is used in a proper manner. Recommended Action: For numerous years traffic signal disregard has been a significant problem in the United states and specifically Texas. Ten states have given cities the ability to used photographic red light enforcernent to address this Issue, and proven that this enforcement technique Is effective. It is important the Texas Legislature pass enabling legislation that will give municipalities the authority to utilize photographic red light enforcement and we encourage cities and other entitles to join In this effort. Please discuss this Important matter with your local legislators and gain their support for this needed enforcement technique. e e Automated Enforcement Test Program City or Richardson, Texas June 2000 Bac~ground . The City of Richardson, Texas conducted a test in January and February of 1999 to see if photographic traffic monitoring of signalized intersections is a viable means of helping to reduce the epidemic of traffic signal disregard. · Automated Enforcement Cameras currently in use in San Francisco and Beverly Hills have experienced 42% and 58% decreases in red- light violations respectively. Oxnard, California has reported a "spillover" effect and red light running accidents were reduced by 22% citywide after one year. Equipment · Equipment manufactured by TRUVELO manufacturers of Madrid, South Africa was loaned to the City for the purpose of this test. · Equipment used sensors that determine when a vehicle enters the intersection along with sensors that interface with the traffic light to determine if a violation has occurred. The equipment then records the violation in both image and data formats. Each violation generates two photos; one. at the beginning of the violation and one as the vehicle leaves the intersection. Data of location, date, time, speed, amber time and red time are stamped on each photo. Test Site . Test site was located at Campbell Rd. east ofUS75. . Only the three westbound lanes were photographed due to limitations of the camera lens and road sensors. . These lanes carry an average of 16,200 vehicles daily. . For six months prior to this test almost weekly police enforcement occurred at this location, resulting in a dramatic rise in red' light citations. Since May 1997, over 10,000 citations have been issued for running red lights citywide. e e Richardson Traffic Data . In Richardson, approximately 4,200,000 vehicles travel through signalized intersections on an average weekday. Both directions of Campbell Rd. have an average daily traffic volume of 40,000 vehicles. . In 1993, 26% of accidents at signalized intersections were attributable to vehicles running red lights. This total increased to 33% in 1998 and decreased to 31 % in 1999. . In 1998/99, the cost to the community of accidents at signalized intersections equated to $22,949,000, 45% of which ($10,256,000) is attributed to intersection accidents where disregard of signal was a cause factor. Summary of Test Data . In peak time periods, an average of one violation every two minutes was photographed. . One violation every five minutes was photographed on a daily average. . Highest number of violators photographed in one red cycle was six. . 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