A new study shows what happens when cities remove red light cameras, which have become targeted by many motorists and eliminated by at least 158 cities. Fatal crashes increased 30 percent compared with area cities that kept the controversial cameras.

Do traffic crashes, including those that cause deaths, increase after a city pulls their red-light cameras due to motorists' complaints? Yes, according to a new study released by the insurance industry. It is also the first study to analyze what happens after red light cameras are removed.
"The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety looked at 14 cities that ended their red-light camera programs between 2010 and 2014," reports Phil LeBeau, CNBC auto reporter. "Researchers compared the annual crash rates in those cities with those of 29 others in the same regions that continued using red-light cameras."
In those cities that turned off their cameras, the rate of fatal crashes involving a driver who sped through a red light was 30 percent higher per capita than if the cameras had remained functional, according to the research.
Most of those killed by red-light-running vehicles are not the drivers, but passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists, the IIHS said.
The study indicates that 158 communities have stopped using red-light cameras in the last five years, reports Joan Lowy for the Associated Press.
"Debates over automated enforcement often center on the hassle of getting a ticket and paying a fine," IIHS President Adrian Lund said.. "It's important to remember that there are hundreds of people walking around who wouldn't be here if not for red-light cameras.
"Red light camera programs in 79 large U.S. cities saved nearly 1,300 lives through 2014," according to the IIHS press release.
The study can be accessed from the on-line abstract.
FULL STORY: They may be annoying, but red-light cameras save lives: IIHS

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service