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How do red light cameras
work? |
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Red light cameras detect motor vehicles that pass sensors
after a traffic signal has turned red. The sensors are
connected to computers in high-speed cameras that take
photographs of the violation. Depending on the particular
technology in use at the intersection, a series of
photographs and/or video images show the red light violator
before entering the intersection on a red signal, as well as
the vehicle?s progression through the intersection. Cameras
record information such as date, time, and time elapsed
since the beginning of the red signal. Trained law
enforcement officials review the photographs, and a
violation notice is mailed to the registered owner of the
vehicle.
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Where can I find the
statute that allows for the installation of red light cameras in Texas? |
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Chapter 707 of the Texas Transportation Code establishes procedures for
local entities that choose to use cameras to cite owners of vehicles that
illegally run red lights. The statute also provides specific processes for
implementing a photographic traffic signal enforcement program, imposing a civil
penalty and creating a hearing and appeals process.
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What are the requirements
for cities wishing to install red light cameras in Texas? |
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Section 707.003 of the Texas Transportation Code addresses the installation
and operational requirements, including contracting with a vendor, conducting a
traffic engineering study, the selection of intersection approaches, the role of
a citizen?s advisory committee and the installation of signs. The traffic
engineering study may be conducted by using the sample TxDOT
Engineering Analysis template.
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Can red light cameras be
installed on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) roadways or on
TxDOT right-of-way? |
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Cities may pursue the installation of red light cameras on TxDOT right-of-way
through an amendment to the Municipal Maintenance Agreement (MMA). Cities
without an executed MMA and counties, however, are not allowed to place the
equipment on state right-of-way. Cities with an executed MMA must inform the
local TxDOT district office of their intention to install the equipment. TxDOT
has the right to review and approve the plans and inspect the installation even
though it is a city contractor performing the work.
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What is the format for the
before and after crash data reports, as required by Section 707.004 of
the Transportation Code, and how are the reports to be submitted to
TxDOT? |
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The 18 months of before crash data and annual after crash data reports consist
of a web-based reporting system where local jurisdictions enter the crash data
for each intersection approach. Reporting requirement instructions have been
developed and can be found at the TxDOT website.
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Is there any requirement
for the disposition of fines collected through red light cameras? |
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Yes.
Section 707.008 of the Transportation Code outlines specific requirements
for revenue collected through red light cameras. For questions on revenue
required to be deposited in the regional trauma account or a local authority?s
special account to fund traffic safety programs, contact the state comptroller?s
office.
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Isn't the main purpose of
red light cameras to make money? |
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No. The objective of red light cameras is to improve
intersection safety. Fines collected through red light
camera violations are used to pay for the installation,
operation, administration and maintenance of the
photographic enforcement system. Camera equipment costs vary
based on the type of camera, the complexity of the
intersection, and technical requirements. A red light camera
system installation can cost more than $100,000. A portion
of the revenue from the installation over and above costs is
required to be directed to the regional trauma account and
local traffic safety programs.
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Do cameras photograph every
vehicle passing through an intersection? |
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No. Cameras are set so that only those vehicles that enter the intersection
after the light has turned red are photographed. Vehicles entering the
intersection on yellow, and still in the intersection when the light turns red,
are not photographed.
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Wouldn't increasing the
length of the yellow signal at an intersection decrease the occurrence
of red light running? |
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Allowing adequate yellow timing can reduce red light
running, but longer yellow time alone does not eliminate the
need or potential benefits of red light cameras. Yellow
times at signals are determined based on variables such as
the posted speed limit, typical deceleration rates of
vehicles, the grade of the road, and motorist
perception-reaction time.
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Will motorists know which
intersections have red light cameras? |
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Section 707.004 of the Texas Transportation Code
requires that cities install signs along each roadway that
leads to an intersection at which a red light camera is in
use. Two types of signs are currently available to comply
with the new legislation and both are documented in TxDOT's
2009 Standard Highway Sign Designs for
Texas (SHSD) manual.The first and most common type of
sign is the Photo Enforced symbol sign (designated as
R10-19T). This rectangular-shaped sign was developed
specifically for the advance notice of photo enforced
intersections. Design details of the sign can be found on
page 1-178 of the SHSD.
A second type of sign is the Signal Ahead symbol warning sign (designated as
W3-3) with the PHOTO ENFORCED plaque (designated as
W16-10) mounted below. The W3-3 warning sign is typically installed when
there is limited sight distance on an approach to a signalized intersection.
Installation of the W16-10 plaque below an existing W3-3 warning sign would
result in compliance with the signing requirements for Red Light Cameras. Design
details of the sign and plaque can be found on page 2-31 and 2-134 respectively
in the SHSD manual.
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Doesn't placing signs on
the approach to intersections with red light cameras defeat the purpose
of installing the cameras? |
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No. The purpose of the red light cameras is to improve
intersection safety by reducing the number of red light
violations. If the advance notice signs stop motorists from
running red lights rather than the cameras themselves, then
the purpose of this program is being met.
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Can the cameras be used to
enforce other types of traffic violations (speed, railroad crossings,
etc.)? |
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125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
