Title
Automated Enforcement Safety Program
Description
This report provides information on a potential Automated Enforcement Safety Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix previously managed an Automated Enforcement Safety Program (Program) that started in 2001 with 10 intersections equipped with red-light cameras and two mobile speed vehicles used in 15 mile per hour (mph) school zones. The intent of the Program was to deter red-light violations, reduce speeding violations, and reduce crash frequency and severity. Over the next 18 years, the City held contracts with Lockheed Martin (later becoming Affiliated Computer Systems), American Traffic Solutions, and Redflex Traffic Systems that provided equipment, maintenance, and other services in support of the Program.
At the end of the final contract expiration, the Program included 12 fixed red-light cameras at 12 intersection approaches and a total of eight mobile speed vehicles for specific use in 15 mph school zones and other pedestrian crossing points near schools. The Program was administered by the Phoenix Police Department with support from the Municipal Court and the Street Transportation Department.
In its last full fiscal year (FY) of existence (FY 2018-19), the Program generated approximately $1.3 million in gross revenue from citations. From this gross revenue, the City paid the vendor $31.85 per adjudicated citation. The remaining revenue was sufficient to cover Program costs, including City staff in the Phoenix Police Department (2.0 full-time equivalent staff) and Municipal Court (3.5 full-time equivalent staff). After the vendor payments and staff costs, the net program revenue for that fiscal year was approximately $57,000, while the five-year average net annual revenue was approximately $28,000.
Program Elements
It is an undeniable fact that speeding and red light running (RLR) cause thousands of unnecessary deaths each year in the U.S. Similar to cities across the nation, RLR-related violations in the Phoenix metropolitan area have become one of the most severe causes of fatal crashes, with 132 fatalities and 6,698 injuries reported from 2017 to 2023. In 2023 alone, the City saw 20 fatalities and 810 injuries.
The use of technology as a tool that can automate enforcement has been deployed in other cities throughout the country. The goal of any automated enforcement safety program should be to modify driver behavior through voluntary compliance of traffic laws. A successful program will see reductions in speeding and RLR behavior, resulting in fewer RLR crashes and serious or fatal injury crashes. The Automated Enforcement Safety Program would complement and supplement traffic enforcement efforts by Phoenix police officers in the Traffic Bureau. In addition, the Program would be complemented by implementation of other Vision Zero strategies such as yellow light timing, leading pedestrian intervals, access management, and pedestrian-related infrastructure improvements.
Equipment Options
The most common devices used in automated enforcement systems employ high-resolution digital cameras to capture driving infractions for RLR and speeding. Each of the options described below employ a two-camera system to capture any infractions.
- Red Light Running: The camera is activated by sensors, which are located just prior to the intersection and also in the intersection. The sensors are only activated when a vehicle is detected entering the intersection after the traffic light has turned red. Three images are captured: one prior to entering the intersection, a second within the intersection, and a third departing the intersection. Multiple images are taken to clearly identify the driver and the vehicle’s license plate. It is possible to set a short grace or amnesty period before the camera is activated. In the Phoenix metro area, the grace period is typically 0.1 seconds. This means the camera would not activate if a driver ran the red light between 0.0 seconds and 0.1 seconds.
- Portable Speed Towers/Mobile Speed Vehicles: These devices may be transported and placed adjacent to the roadway to monitor the speed of approaching vehicles. The cameras are activated when a vehicle exceeds a set threshold speed as it passes by the tower/vehicle and takes multiple images to clearly identify the driver and the vehicle’s license plate. These devices are often used in school zones, but may be used anywhere adjacent to the roadway.
- Speed on Green: The camera system mounted at the intersection approach is activated when a vehicle exceeds a set threshold speed as it passes through the intersection. Again, multiple images are captured to clearly identify the driver and the vehicle’s license plate. This device will also enforce speeding through the intersection on yellow and red lights as well.
- Fixed Mid-Block Speed: These devices are permanently mounted mid-block, along a roadway segment not at the intersection, on poles to monitor the speed of each passing vehicle. When the device detects a vehicle exceeding a set threshold speed, the camera system is activated to capture the event, including multiple images to clearly identify the driver and the vehicle’s license plate.
Pricing Models
The automated enforcement industry typically has three pricing models for vendors to provide their services. In each model below, the contracted vendor would supply, install, and maintain the devices in the field as well as provide processing services.
- Revenue Share: There are no city expenditures for equipment, installation, maintenance, or other provided vendor services. The split of citation revenue between the municipality and the vendor is negotiated.
- Subscription: The city pays a flat lease fee for equipment, maintenance, and vendor-provided services, but the city retains all citation revenue.
- Hybrid: Like the subscription model, but the city pays a lower lease fee and pays the vendor a nominal fee per adjudicated citation. This fee in local contracts has typically been between $20 and $45 per citation.
Even after revenues stabilize, many programs across the country earn a positive net revenue. If the Program is renewed in Phoenix, staff recommends any net revenue realized from the Program be reinvested in traffic safety programs or projects aimed at quicker implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan.
Site Selection Criteria
There is no national standard or consistent methodology that cities use for selecting automated enforcement locations. The Speed Enforcement Camera Systems Operational Guidelines developed in 2008 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describe crash history as a primary factor that should be considered for location selection.
The methodology of determining red-light camera locations would use the most recent three years of data supplied by the Arizona Department of Transportation and to isolate angle crashes. In addition, criteria would also factor in crashes with serious and fatal injuries due to RLR violations and crashes involving pedestrians at the signalized intersections where the driver was found to be at fault. Street Transportation Department staff would also evaluate each potential location to determine if other factors, such as available right-of-way, utility conflicts, current and upcoming construction projects, and jurisdictional considerations might make installation of a red-light camera at a particular intersection not feasible.
The methodology for the placement of portable speed towers and mobile speed vehicles would include reviewing crash data for corridors that have high incidences of speeding-related crashes, known high-speeding areas identified by the Phoenix Police Department's Traffic Bureau, and within school zones. Given the portability, these devices can also be rotated in various areas throughout the City to cover a variety of needs.
Recommendation
Staff requests input from the City Council regarding the recommendation for a potential Automated Enforcement Safety Program with the following components:
- Issue a Request for Proposals by Spring 2025 for RLR cameras, portable speed towers, and mobile speed vehicles. Additional services such as the Speed on Green and Fixed Mid-block cameras could be included in the contract for future consideration. The City would have the sole responsibility and authority in the selection of locations. The hybrid pricing model is recommended as it seems to be the most widely used pricing model that includes a monthly maintenance and operation fee per location as well as a nominal fee per adjudicated citation.
- Implementation of a RLR enforcement program. The RLR program is to be managed with fixed cameras at intersections where current data has shown high numbers of angle crashes, focusing on those with the highest number of serious and fatal injuries. It is recommended that up to 10 RLR cameras be installed in the first year based on the current crash data. The Street Transportation Department would ensure that all 10 RLR camera locations have implemented the extended yellow light timing at the intersections.
- Implementation of the portable and mobile speed enforcement program. Cameras can be used at mid-block locations on a roadway segment where data may show excessive speeding in between intersections and can also be placed in school zones. It is recommended that up to six portable cameras be implemented in the first year based on current data or in school zones. The speed enforcement program can be set concurrently with the RLR enforcement program and can rotate throughout the City with a focus on data driven locations.
- Implementation of a minimum 30-day warning period where warning notices would be sent in lieu of citations. A warning period would be at the onset of the Program for both RLR and speed enforcement cameras and throughout the program when new RLR camera locations are added. Based on data from the previous Program, the City would have to cover the costs during the warning period, which is estimated to be $10,000 per 30-day period per camera location.
- Implementation of a Public Information Campaign to inform the public about the Program, which would include at a minimum a website, press releases, media coverage, social media posts, and public service announcements.
- The Street Transportation and the Phoenix Police departments would conduct an annual review of the most recent crash data and develop a report on the performance of the Program as well as propose potential new red-light camera locations and possible expansion of the speed enforcement program. This report could be provided to Council for review and approval annually.
Implementation Timeline
Staff anticipates that the potential Automated Enforcement Safety Program could be operational no later than Fall 2025 based on the recommended 10 RLR cameras and six portable speed enforcement cameras. Additional staff may be needed in the Street Transportation Department, Phoenix Police Department, and/or Municipal Court if additional cameras are requested. Typically, one Phoenix Police Department staff person is needed for up to six camera locations for review of the citations.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was presented to the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee on October 18, 2023.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and Street Transportation Department.