Skip to main content

Red light cameras in US city Philadelphia are boosting traffic safety

In the US city of Philadelphia, a new programme of red light camera installation is helping cut crashes. The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has equipped 24 intersections throughout the city with cameras that monitor traffic and automatically photograph vehicles that drive into an intersection after the light has turned red. The PPA has shot a video of this programme, showing how this will cut crashes and also save drivers from being fined. Each fine costs drivers US$100 but the main goal of this progr
March 13, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In the US city of Philadelphia, a programme of red light camera installation is helping cut crashes. The 7218 Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has equipped 24 intersections throughout the city with cameras that monitor traffic and automatically photograph vehicles that drive into an intersection after the light has turned red. The PPA has shot a video of this programme, showing how this will cut crashes and also save drivers from being fined. Each fine costs drivers US$100 but the main goal of this programme is to boost safety. Revenue from the program goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which then distributes the money evenly between the city of Philadelphia and the state through grants for transportation projects.

The first cameras were installed at Grant Avenue, Red Lion Road and Cottman Avenue along Roosevelt Boulevard. Since the program's inception, cameras have also been installed at 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue, Broad Street and Oregon Avenue, Broad Street and Hunting Park Avenue, 58th and Walnut Streets, Broad and Vine Streets, Broad Street and South Penn Square, Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard around City Hall, Henry Avenue and Walnut Lane, Rising Sun and Adams Avenues, Aramingo Avenue and York Street , Aramingo and Castor Avenues, and Lindbergh Boulevard and Island Avenue. There are also cameras at Welsh, Southampton, Mascher, Levick, Rhawn and 9th Streets along Roosevelt Boulevard. The most recent red light camera intersections are located at Academy Road and Grant Avenue, Woodhaven and Knights Roads, and Bustleton Avenue and Byberry Road. Philadelphia's Red Light Camera Program was recently extended until 2017.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • San Diego: Let there be (street)light
    March 30, 2020
    The influence of intelligent streetlights is spreading. David Crawford finds that San Diego’s deployment – and attendant legislation – may offer a blueprint for other cities going forward
  • Iteris' $3.3m intersection deal solves dilemma
    May 18, 2021
    City of Modesto, California, will improve traffic flow while saving money, says Iteris
  • Interoperability facilitates mobility on Santiago’s toll roads
    August 10, 2016
    Drivers crossing Chile’s capital are benefitting from additional investment in ITS. Mauro Nogarin reports. Santiago de Chile is pioneering the development of concession-interoperable, multi-lane, free-flow urban highways. This road network crosses the city from north to south (Autopista Central), from east to west (Costanera Norte) and also includes the north-western (Vespucio Norte) and southern (Vespucio Sur) ring roads surrounding this metropolitan area of seven million people.
  • Adaptive control reduces travel time, cuts congestion
    January 20, 2012
    Situated in San Diego County, California, the growing city of San Marcos has seen its population increase by 53.5 per cent since the turn of the century. Although this dramatic population increase has spurred economic growth bringing new business, homes and opportunities to the city, it has also increased traffic congestion along its central corridor, San Marcos Boulevard. This became the most congested arterial in the city, and, by 2006, the second-most travelled corridor in San Diego County.