Item 4.1 - Red Light Photo Enforcement Program Report APPROVED
APPROVED AS AMENDED O
(SEE MINUTES)
y OF POtri DENIED
C f Of P Ora REMOVED
CONTINUED
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT RESOLUTION NO.
c�pY IN THE C
DATE: October 15, 2013
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Penny Riley, City Manager —
INITIATED BY: Robert J. Manis, Director of Development Services
Steve Crosby, City EngineerVi
Zoubir Ouadah, Senior Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT: A Report on the City of Poway Red Light Photo Enforcement
Program
Summary:
On May 25, 2004, the City Council approved the City's Red Light Photo Enforcement
Program and entered into a contract with Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. to administer the
program. Cameras were installed and have been in operation at three intersections. On
March 5, 2013, the City Council addressed the potential termination of the program and
directed staff to turn off the cameras and evaluate the program's safety benefit for a six
month period. This report provides a summary of the accident data at the three
intersections where red light cameras had been installed for the time that the cameras
were turned off.
Recommended Action:
It is recommended that the City Council discontinue the City's Red Light Photo
Enforcement Program and authorize the City Manager to terminate the contract with
Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.
Background:
On May 25, 2004, the City Council approved the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
(program) in the City. Cameras were installed at three intersections covering a total of
five approaches. The program began operating in April 2005 at the following
intersections:
• Scripps Poway Parkway & Community Road — eastbound approach
• Ted Williams Parkway & Pomerado Road — southbound and eastbound
approaches
• Poway Road & Pomerado Road — eastbound and westbound approaches
On March 5, 2013, the City Council considered terminating the program and directed
staff to turn off the cameras at all three intersections and evaluate the traffic safety
(accidents) for six months.
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Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
October 15, 2013
Page 2
On March 9, 2013, the program was suspended. For the past six months, the cameras
were covered to clearly indicate to motorists that the program was not in operation.
Findings:
Accident Data
Staff investigated the most recent vehicular collision records of the three intersections to
determine if there has been any significant change in the accident pattern. The
investigation was conducted using accident data for the subject intersections, covering
the six month period before and after the cameras were turned off.
During the six month period preceeding the March 9, 2013 turn -off 'date, there was a
total of eight accidents at these three intersections. During the six month period after
the March 9, 2013 turn -off date, there were five accidents. This represents a decrease
in accidents of 37.5 %. There were no serious injury accidents during this period. A
summary of the accidents by intersection is provided in the following table.
Intersection
Before
(9/10/12 to 3/9/13)
After
(3/10/13 to 8/31/13)
1. Ted Williams Pkwy & Pomerado Rd
3
2
2. Poway Rd & Pomerado Rd
2
1
3. Scripps Poway Pkwy & Community Rd
3
2
Total
8
5
Red Light Running Enforcement
In an effort to increase enforcement of red light running violations, .In May 2013, at the
request of the Sheriff's Department, the City installed red light running detection
indicators at the following three intersections: Poway Road and Community Road,
Poway Road and Pomerado Road, and Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road,
to improve red light running enforcement by the sheriff's deputies. These low cost
indicators require minimum maintenance and are beneficial to the deputies in enforcing
red light running at these intersections.
Fiscal Year 2012/13 Budget
During fiscal year 2012/13, the Red Light Photo Enforcement program had an approved
budget of $221,760 for Redflex Traffic Safety to administer the program for the City.
The actual payments to the contractor totaled $164,067 during fiscal year 2012/13
because the cameras were turned off mid -year. These expenditures were offset by
revenues generated by the program of $334,215.
Conclusion
While a six month period is a brief period of time to evaluate the accident data, it is clear
that the removal of the red light cameras has not had a negative effect on accidents at
these three intersections. In fact, the number of accidents at the three intersections
went down.
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Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
October 15, 2013
Page 3
Fiscal Impact:
The budget for fiscal year 2013/14 did not include revenues or expenditures for the Red
Light Photo Enforcement Program.
Environmental Review:
This action is not subject to review under the 2013 California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines.
Public Notification:
Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., 5835A Uplander Way, Culver City, CA 90230
A Notice of City Council Meeting was published in the Poway News Chieftain.
Attachments:
None
Wengserv\traffic \Agenda 13 \Red Light Photo Enforcement\Agenda Report.docx
3 of 3 October 15, 2013 Item # 4.