In Chicago, speed cameras are proving effective at reducing speeds; in Philadelphia, a police commissioner is lobbying the state to allow the implementation of the cameras.
A pair of articles updated the status of speed cameras as a traffic safety measure in two major American cities.
In Chicago, Steven Vance shares the details of a press release from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), "stating that the number of speeding cars observed by its 51 speed cameras has fallen an average of 43 percent ever since the first week of the cameras’ operation. At some locations, the number of speeders dropped as much as 99 percent." That system as already delivered 1.25 million warnings and 230,000 citations. CDOT laos has plans to install cameras at 12 new sites in the coming months.
Christopher Moraff details the effort to legalize speed cameras in Philadelphia, via the state of Pennsylvania: "The state is the only one in the nation that enforces a blanket prohibition on municipal police use of speed radar. Under current law, which dates to 1961, radar is only permitted for use by state troopers, and local cops have long complained that they are forced to rely on less-sophisticated timing methods — like stopwatches and painted lines — to nab speeders. However, Harrisburg lawmakers currently have five bills moving through the House and Senate that would end the long-standing prohibition."
FULL STORY: Speed Cameras Issue 1.25 Million Warnings, Cut Speeding 43%
Philly Speed Camera Program Cuts Fatalities in Half
Excessive speeding along dangerous segments of Roosevelt Boulevard dropped by 90 percent after the city installed automated enforcement cameras.
Philadelphia to Add New Speed Cameras
Speeding violations on streets with automated traffic enforcement are down by 95 percent, according to city officials.
Chicago Could Join Other Cities in Lowering Speed Limits
Lowering speed limits by just 10 miles per hour can have a major impact on traffic safety.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie