IOWA CITY IP2

r i CITY OF

R NDU
EMt
Date March 10 2011

To City Council

From Police Chief Sam Hargadine

John Yapp Transportation Planner 7
Re Speed Cameras
Automated Red Light

traffic
States seek to improve public safety by reducing
As communities across the United
enforcement programs The following
violations many have implemented automated photo
use of photo enforcement in Iowa and
memorandum is meant to summarize the growing
describe the potential local benefits for this technology

Types of photo enforcement

most frequent the causes of
Red Light Running Enforcement Running a red light is one of
based techniques is difficult
with traditional officer
collisions at intersections but enforcement
cameras at traffic signals The camera takes
In response cities are implementing automated red and
records the time elapsed since the light turned
red lights
pictures of vehicles that run
is issued not a moving violation
vehicle license plate then a civil fine
the s

automated camera used to enforce speed

system
Limit Enforcement Photo radar is an
Speed speed of each
that shows the
limits It includes the camera an attached radar
and a display
used via an unmarked vehicle that can be relocated
passing vehicle Photo radar is frequently
enforcement When a speeding vehicle is detected the photo radar
periodically for targeted speed The
and the license plate and the recorded vehicle
system takes a picture of the driver a civil fine in the mail
owner of the vehicle then receives
registered
in Iowa
Reducing collisions
Education at Iowa State University found
Research
A study by the Center for Transportation where
20 in Davenport and 90 in Council Bluffs
red light running RLR crashes decreased
crashes were also reduced at these intersections
RLR camera enforcement was used Total and
Fewer collisions equates to fewer injuries
20 and 44 in Davenport and Council Bluffs
less property damage

implemented this technology to improve roadway

Since 2004 at least five communities in Iowa
safety
Clive Cedar Rapids
Des Moines implementation underway
Council Bluffs
Burlington Marshalltown Mason City
Davenport
researching vendors
Sioux City

automated enforcement system in Iowa enacted a local

Each community that installed an

municipal ordinance and civil fine schedule

 that camera controlled intersections be
The State Legislature is considering legislation requiring
as well capping maximum fines If this
that motorists are warned in advance as
signed so
Iowa City follow the guidelines
is considered in Iowa City we recommend that
technology
Bill 93
outlined in House Study
where
cameras typically implement a period of time
Jurisdictions that utilize traffic enforcement
used to the cameras the
A warning period allows residents to get
only warnings are issued
violations and allows time for testing of
to get used to the process of viewing the
department
the cameras and equipment

enforcement
Potential intersections for photo
the following ten locations are potential
Based on collision history and traffic volumes
candidates for RLR camera enforcement in Iowa City

Total
Ran Traffic Total Property Minor Major
Intersection Signal Crashes Percent Damage Injuries Injuries Injuries
2 0 2
29 96 30 151
150
Market and Dubuque
000
215 7 2 9
Highway 6 and Sycamore 27 119 23
1 0 1
19 71 27 373
171
Jefferson and Gilbert
16 100 16 300
133 10 2 12
Highway 6 and Boyrum
15 131 11 260
75 1 0 1
Burlington and Riverside
67 21 300
84 1 0 1
and Orchard 14
Highway 1 2 0 2
and Gilbert 14 114 12 200
66
Burlington 0 0
11 62 18 700
57 0
Jefferson and Dubuque
0 2 2
9 91 10 400
41
Burlington and Madison
2 0 2
and Clinton 9 117 8 400
41
Burlington
26 6 32
163 968 17 037
1
083
Total
Sub
114 15 129
Total 599 063
12 5 472
3
952
Citywide
Data source Iowa Department of Transportation 2001
2010

Kris Ackerson MPO of Johnson County

Benefits of enforcement
photo
of
Reduce and property damage According to the Metropolitan Planning Organization
injuries 129 people and
in Iowa City caused injuries to
Johnson County red light running collisions
in the last decade
caused reported property vehicle damage totaling 952
472
3

Increase community policing The average officer spends 45 minutes to work a non
OWI
1
8 61 motor
vehicle collision In 2010 Iowa City police officers logged 3
1 96 hours working
will be available to conduct more
vehicle collisions citywide By reducing collisions officers
traffic collision issues
to non
community policing and have more time to respond

automated traffic enforcement cameras is that they are

Revenue One of the criticisms of
these automated
of generating revenue The fine associated with
perceived solely as a means meant to be a deterrent from red light
enforcement devices does generate revenue and is also
from automated traffic control
or speeding We propose that revenues generated
running and for a public
be earmarked for public safety staff salaries and
devices if they are implemented
 fund contingency fund would be used
The periodic
for unpredictable
but
safety contingency natural disasters
overtime Presidential visits
events like meth lab ups event
clean related

tanker spills etc

chemical
March 21
has agreed to attend your work session
on
Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham
camera enforcement program underway
in Cedar Rapids
to answer questions regarding the
have noticed a dramatic reduction in
and they
Cedar Rapids installed cameras two years ago
380 corridor Locals know the cameras are there and
speeds and collisions along the Highway
are voluntarily slowing down

Conclusion

in directing
be prepared to discuss if there is interest
At your March 21 work session please
to implement red light running and or speed
staff to prepare draft code amendments to
We would also be happy to meet with a Council committee
sub
enforcement cameras
further
explore the topic

CC Kris Ackerson Metropolitan Planning Organization

Tom Markus City Manager
Chief Andy Rocca Fire

Sources

in Iowa
Evaluating Red Light Running Programs
Center for Transportation Research and Education
4700
Iowa State University 2711 S Loop Dr Suite
Ames IA 50010

Iowa City Crashes

ICPD Records Unit

Iowa City Intersection Crash Analysis

Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County
410 E Washington St Iowa City IA 52240