A new speed camera program aims to decrease traffic collisions near schools and make it easier for the police to fine speeding drivers.
As Tyler Wilkins reports, Georgia's Gwinnett County has installed its first speed-monitoring camera at a local elementary school. The county police department plans to install three more cameras at additional schools, which will hit speeding drivers with $75 or $125 fines. "So far this year, eight pedestrians have been killed within the county. The police department hopes the cameras deter drivers from speeding through school zones," writes Wilkins.
According to a police spokesperson, the cameras will assist with ongoing speed enforcement and free up strained police resources. The program is also expected to raise over $4 million in a year for the county.
While the violations captured by Gwinnett County's cameras will be confirmed by an officer before a citation is sent out, automated traffic cameras have encountered opposition in states like Texas, with critics arguing that automated enforcement doesn't improve public safety and can actually increase crashes.
FULL STORY: Gwinnett flips switch on first speed camera near schools
Data Shows Chicago Speed Cameras Reduce Speeding, Crashes
Countering claims made by the Chicago Tribune that automated enforcement doesn’t improve safety, Streetsblog Chicago lays out the data showing how traffic safety fared in camera zones.
States Have Mixed Feelings on Speed Cameras
While some states and cities are embracing automated traffic enforcement as a tool for improving road safety, others are banning the technology over concerns that the programs are designed for profit rather than public benefit.
DC’s Traffic Cameras Are Working, but Not a Panacea
Automated enforcement is reducing speeding, but bigger changes to street design and the built environment are needed to make the District’s streets safer and more pleasant for people walking.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)