An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.
After installing traffic cameras aimed at catching drivers illegally entering transit-only lanes at five intersections, the city of Seattle issued 84,076 warnings and 26,092 tickets for bus lane violations between March and December 2022.
According to an article by Melissa Santos in Axios, “That amounted to about $825,000 in revenue, a small part of which goes toward the cost of running the cameras. Half of the remaining revenue goes to a state fund dedicated to bike and pedestrian improvements.”
Santos adds that “The city also started using cameras last year to catch people illegally blocking crosswalks and intersections, sometimes called ‘blocking the box.’” These cameras only issued 58 citations over roughly eight months.
The state legislature will decide in January 2025 whether to allow the city to continue using automated enforcement, which supporters say can improve road safety and help reduce violent interactions between citizens and law enforcement.
FULL STORY: Cameras caught drivers illegally using bus lanes 110,000 times
New York To Crack Down on Bus Lane Blocking Violations
The city hopes to improve the speed of its notoriously slow buses by using traffic cameras to ticket drivers who drive or park in dedicated bus lanes.
Traffic Camera Revenues to Fund Capacity-Building Programs in Washington State
Revenue from Washington's traffic enforcement cameras will go in part toward efforts to assist small communities in applying for grants and accessing funding opportunities.
Editorial Calls for Automated Enforcement for Bus Lanes
The Seattle Times Editorial Board argues that automated enforcement would remove scofflaws from blocking bus commuters.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions