Data from Chicago reaffirms the efficacy of speed cameras at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
A recent analysis of Chicago's speed camera program shows that, while the number of crashes increased between the study periods of 2012-2013 and 2018-2019, "the increases at cam locations were significantly lower than those experienced throughout the city as a whole." According to John Greenfield, this points to the effectiveness of speed cameras in changing driver behavior and reducing fatal crashes and injuries.
The study showed that "Fatal or serious injury crashes increased only 2 percent near speed cameras between 2012-13 and 2018-19, as compared to a 21 percent increase citywide," while overall crash totals increased by just one percent compared to 25 percent citywide. Greenfield concludes that, based on the data, "The cameras are doing their job by keeping serious and fatal crash numbers in the safety zones relatively low compared to those in other parts of the city, preventing life-changing injuries and deaths."
Despite this study and similar evidence from other places, speed cameras, also known as automated traffic enforcement, have encountered opposition from lawmakers who cite concerns about corruption, unequal enforcement, and civil rights violations. Between 2012 and 2016, the number of red-light cameras fell by a fifth, even as red light runners killed more people than in previous years.
FULL STORY: Bakery-fresh CDOT study reaffirms speed cameras are saving lives
D.C. Could Expand Traffic Camera Program
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to add hundreds of new traffic enforcement cameras to stem the city's rising rate of traffic fatalities.
Virginia to Launch Innovative New Anti-Speeding Pilot Program
The state of Virginia's new traffic safety program will focus on speeding as fatal factor in automobile collisions and could eventually provide a model for similar programs around the country.
Report: Racial Gap in Traffic Deaths Persists
Communities of color have significantly higher rates of traffic fatalities, according to federal research.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
