14 May 2003
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html
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[Federal Register: May 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 92)]
[Notices]
[Page 25677]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13my03-148]
[[Page 25677]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Guidance on Red Light Camera Systems
AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of guidance.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the FHWA and the NHTSA have issued
guidance on the installation and use of red light camera systems. The
guidance, ``Guidance for Using Red Light Cameras,'' is available at the
following URLs: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlcguide/index.htm and
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm.
As the use of cameras to issue citations to motorists
running red lights is becoming increasingly widespread throughout the
United States, the installation and operation of these cameras has been
inconsistent. The agencies intend for this guide to provide relevant
information on implementation and operational concerns of red light
camera systems to State and local agencies in order to promote
consistency nationwide.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FHWA: Mr. Hari Kalla, Office of
Safety, HSA-10, (202) 366-5915, or Mr. Raymond Cuprill, Office of the
Chief Counsel, HCC-30, (202) 366-0761. FHWA office hours are from 7:45
a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For
NHTSA: Mr. Earl Hardy, Office of Traffic Injury Control. NTI-122, (202)
366-4295. NHTSA office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Both offices are located at
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded using a
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202)
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's
home page at http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing
Office's Web site at http://www.access.gpo.gov. An electronic version
of the guidance document may be downloaded by accessing the FHWA Web
site at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlcguide/index.htm and/or the NHTSA
Web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm
.
Background
The use of red light cameras for the enforcement of red light
running violations at signalized intersections is becoming increasingly
widespread in the United States, beginning with the first U.S.
installation in New York City in 1992, and reaching more than 75
jurisdictions by the end of 2002. \1\ State and local agencies have
found that the use of red light cameras can reduce red light running
violations by motorists from 20 percent to over 50 percent .\2\ The
rapid deployment of red light cameras across the United States has been
viewed by some as a single, fix-all, solution to the growing concerns
about red light running and crashes attributable to red light running.
This belief may lead to the inappropriate use of red light camera
systems and inaccurate assessment of actual intersection safety
problems.
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\1\ Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Red Light Camera in
Action, is available at the following URL: http://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/rlc_cities.htm
.
\2\ Public Technology, Inc, ``Is Photo Enforcement For You? A
White Paper for Public Officials'', is available for purchase at the
following URL: http://www.pti.org .
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Appearance of fairness in the use of red light cameras, in a
broader perspective, can provide support for other forms of technology
used to improve transportation operations and safety. Therefore, the
FHWA and NHTSA have developed guidance on the implementation and
operation of red light camera systems in the United States. Although
not a regulatory requirement, the guidance is intended to provide
relevant information on implementation and operational concerns of red
light camera systems to State and local agencies in order to promote
consistency nationwide and to ensure that this effective tool, and
other forms of technology, remain available to transportation agencies
around the nation.
The guidance is designed to assist State and local agency managers,
transportation engineers, and law enforcement officials in identifying
and addressing safety problems resulting from red light running within
their jurisdictions. The guidance provides proven and effective
practices that have been implemented throughout the United States, and
generally provides procedures that can be followed to ensure that
effective, efficient and fair solutions are implemented.
Conclusion
The FHWA and the NHTSA provide this guidance as a tool for those
jurisdictions interested in implementing red light camera systems. This
guidance identifies the recommended circumstances and methods by which
red light cameras should be installed. The guidance, ``Red Light Camera
System Guidance'' is available electronically at the following URLs:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlrcguide.htm and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm
for copying and inspection at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Library, Room 2200, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 401; 49 CFR 1.48(n); 49 CFR 1.50(b).
Issued on: May 2, 2003.
Jeffrey W. Runge,
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
J. Richard Capka,
Deputy Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-11780 Filed 5-12-03; 8:45 am]
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