The issue of red light running (RLR) has long been a problem throughout the United States. There is considerable debate within the general public and public agencies regarding the use of photographic enforcement to deter red light violations. Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of red light cameras (RLCs) at reducing collisions. However, the question still remains as to whether RLCs actually change driver behavior. Many municipalities across the State of North Carolina have relied on studies conducted in other states or countries to validate the use of cameras within their jurisdiction. Many of these studies are weak and could be more rigorous. The need for more thorough study motivated this research effort to help define the effectiveness of RLCs within the City of Raleigh, North Carolina. Four specific tasks were identified to help in this research effort. First, a literature review was conducted to determine the reported effects of other research efforts throughout the United States and other countries. Various types of studies have been conducted around the world. Of particular interest were studies that were rigorous in nature, such as those using comparison sites. Many studies completed in previous research indicate that RLC enforcement reduces the frequency of collisions at treated intersections. However, there are a limited number of rigorous studies (especially those in the United States, particularly in North Carolina). Analyses that used comparison sites usually did not perform tests to see if comparison sites acted in a similar manner to treatment sites. Six focus groups were convened in an effort to gather information on attitudes, opinions, and beliefs associated with photographic enforcement to better enhance traffic law enforcement. Two community and four professional focus groups were assembled. Overall, the perception of photographic enforcement was positive. Suggested improvements included enhancing the appeal process, using prof.

Keywords: camera, enforcement, red light running.

At head of title: National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

Red light running, which is defined as the act of a motorist entering an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red, caused almost 5,000 crashes in Virginia in 2003, resulting in at least 18 deaths and more than 3,800 injuries. In response to a June 2, 2004, directive from Virginia Secretary of Transportation Whittington W. Clement, an evaluation of the photo-red enforcement programs that operate in Virginia was undertaken. Generally, Virginia's photo-red programs are technically feasible. Case law strongly indicates that the programs pass legal muster in the three key areas: privacy, equal protection, and due process, and public opinion surveys suggest that roughly two-thirds of respondents support red light cameras. There is, however, a practical issue with regard to issuing citations for out-of-state motorists, as noted in the report. Although an economic analysis was not feasible in the study time frame, a limited fiscal analysis suggests that, in general, Virginia localities are not generating net revenue. Finally, an operational analysis based on violations and crashes shows a potential but not definite safety improvement. The cameras clearly affect driver behavior; across the 23 intersections where reliable citation data could be obtained, citations decreased by an average of 21% per intersection. Further the data show that the cameras are correlated with a definite decrease in crashes that are directly attributable to red light running, a definite increase in rear-end crashes, a possible decrease in angle crashes, a net decrease in injury crashes attributable to red light running, and an increase in total injury crashes. More time is needed to determine whether the severity of the eliminated red light running crashes was greater than that of the induced rear-end crashes. The report recommends that Virginia's photo-red enforcement programs be continued for an additional year to resolve this question and to collect additional data that was not feasible during the 6-month time frame of this report.

The goal of this research was to find out which automated enforcement programs have been successful and what contributed to their success, as well as which programs have been unsuccessful and to draw lessons from their experiences. This was accomplished through a comprehensive assessment of automated speed and red light running enforcement activity in the United States and Canada, which led to the development of guidelines to assist agencies in implementing and operating successful automated enforcement programs. Over 350 jurisdictions with current or past automated enforcement programs were contacted by survey and phone as part of the assessment. In addition to the survey, an extensive literature review was conducted to determine the effect of the programs, cost effectiveness, and resource requirements, and to get the perspective of the public.