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

  • Growth of outsourcing simplifies transportation operations
    June 11, 2012
    Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns will deliver the keynote address at the opening plenary of ITS America’s 2012 Annual Meeting in May. She talked to ITS International about the acquisition of ACS, its rebranding and the importance of the transportation sector to Xerox
  • TomTom traffic index shows increase in UK congestion
    April 1, 2015
    TomTom’s today 5th annual Traffic Index, the barometer of traffic congestion in over 200 cities worldwide, reveals rising congestion levels around the globe In addition, for the first time, the Index took an in-depth look at the true impact of rush hour traffic on the work week, uncovering that evening rush hour nearly doubles the journey time for car commuters. The analysis of 12 trillion pieces of traffic data worldwide revealed that the evening rush hour is the most congested time of day. Traffic co
  • High-res traffic data provides planners with the big picture
    November 5, 2015
    Road authorities have a lot to gain from high-resolution traffic data, argues Pravin Varaiya. Traffic engineers have traditionally been forced to operate with limited data regarding the performance of their arterials. Traffic studies are often commissioned once every three years, over a few days, to get an updated estimate of utilization.
  • New services and equipment helps cities tackle air quality issues
    September 19, 2017
    With poor urban air quality shortening lives and fines being imposed for breaching pollution limits, authorities are seeking ways to clean up their cities. Poor air quality is topping the agenda for city authorities across the globe. In the UK, for example, a report from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and of Paediatrics and Child Health, concluded that poor outdoor air quality shortens the lives of around 40,000 people a year – principally by undermining the health of people with heart and/or lung prob