The Safety Impact of the Automated Photo Red Light Program Prepared by Lieutenant Jim Lemmon San Leandro Police Department Traffic Division

Implementation of the Program In July of 2005 during a City Council Work Session, staff made a presentation regarding the possible implementation of a red light camera program, designed to reduce the number of red light violations at key intersections throughout the city. Staff from the San Leandro Police Department evaluated several vendors who provide red light camera programs. During that evaluation staff reviewed various technologies available for photo enforcement programs, spoke with representatives from different vendors, and met with personnel from local municipalities and law enforcement agencies that operate such programs. As a result of this evaluation, it was the recommendation of staff to select Redflex Traffic Systems. The selection was based on the technical aspects of its program, positive customer references, familiarity with Alameda County judicatory processes, and the overall proven success of it’s programs. In September of 2005 the City Council voted to adopt the program with Redflex as the provider, and entered into an agreement that was to run through December 12, The agreement was extended pending renegotiation of a new agreement. Redflex has the vast majority of contracts for red light enforcement in the state with approximately 65 cities contracting their services.

Selection of the Intersections Eight intersections were identified with high collision rates. Five intersections, with six approaches, were identified as most suitable for automated enforcement based on safety factors and the degree of enforcement difficulty using standard enforcement techniques. The following intersections were selected: 1. Eastbound Lewelling Washington Ave. 2. Eastbound Marina Teagarden 3. Northbound Davis East 14 th St. 4. Eastbound Fairmont East 14 th St. 5. Washington Halcyon/Floresta Blvd. (This intersection is monitored eastbound Washington and westbound Washington.)

Difficulty in Standard Enforcement All of these intersections are heavily traveled These intersections have multiple directions controlled by light signals, including separate left turn and straight-through signals Due to traffic congestion and layout it is difficult to position Officers to monitor red light violations and safely stop violators at these intersections

Posted Signage Notification signage is required at all intersections that operate photo red light enforcement per the California Vehicle Code ( (a)(1) CVC). The City has also installed an additional 26 signs at entry points into the City. The City has posted 4 signs at each intersection with red light camera enforcement

Start Of Program  System went live on January 13, 2006 with four approaches: 1. Washington 2. Teagarden 3. Washington 4. Washington  30 Day warning period implemented on December 13, 2005 in accordance with Vehicle Code – no citations issued.  The final two (2) approaches, northbound East 14 th Davis St and eastbound East 14 th St., went live in June 12, 2006, also with a 30-day warning period that began on May 11, 2006.

Yearly Total for Violations Captured on System & The Actual Number of Citations Issued Year 1 – 2006 Total Citations Issued – 10,081 Total Violations – 22,711 Year Total Citations Issued – 7,270 Total Violations – 17,176 Year 5 – 2010 Total Citations Issued – 7,529 Total Violations – 23,484 Year 2 – 2007 Total Citations Issued – 7,878 Total Violations – 17,885 Year 4 – 2009 Total Citations Issued – 5,806 Total Violations – 14,546

The Screening Process for Issuing Citation There are a number of factors that determine whether or not a citation will be issued after a violation takes place. Some of the factors that are evaluated by the screening operator when citation is not issued include: 1. Driver Obstruction/Duckers 2. Plate Obstruction 3. Vehicle Obstruction 4. Driver Unidentifiable 5. Emergency Vehicle Responding 6. Police Discretion/Safe Turn on Red 7. Sun Glare 8. Paper Plates

Example of Straight Thru Collision

Straight Thru 91 MPH

Straight Thru Violation Collision

Right Turn on Red Violation

Straight Thru Violation Collision

Violating Pedestrian Right of Way

Washington

East 14 th St

Marina Teagarden

Washington

Collision Data The following collision data was provided by the San Leandro Traffic Engineering Department. The collision data is for a four-year period prior to the start of the Red Light Camera Program, and the four years after the program was installed. Total of 136 collisions prior to the cameras. Total of 93 collisions after the cameras installed.

Intersection Breakdown of Collisions Intersection Before After East 14 th Davis Street 3027 East 14 th Fairmont Drive Ave 2210 Marina Wayne / Teagarden 1813 Washington Floresta / Halcyon 3217 Washington Lewelling Blvd 3426

Yellow Light Interval and Safety Impact Governed by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices & CVC Posted of Prima Facie Speed -MPH Minimum Yellow Interval 25 of less3.0 seconds seconds seconds seconds /San Leandro set at 4.0 seconds 45 / San Leandro has no 45 MPH approaches 4.3 seconds

Financial Summary The city employs two part-time operators to work the Red Light Camera Program at an annual cost of approximately $60,000. The current fee for each approach is $5,865.13, x 6 approaches for a monthly total of $35, Total program expenditures from February 1, 2007 to February 1, 2011 = $1,929,157. The court revenue received during that same time period is $2,392,471.

Changes in New Agreement The new fee negotiated per approach is $5,200, with a reduction to 5 approaches. The approach at eastbound Lewelling Washington Ave. is being eliminated due to a drastic reduction in the number of violations at that location over the life of the previous agreement. The new agreement is for 8 years with a Financial Feasibility Review built into the contract at the end of the 4 th year. The contract allows the City to terminate the agreement at the end of the 5 th year if it is no longer feasible for the City to maintain the Red Light Camera Program. San Leandro will be the only City to have such a Financial Feasibility Review Clause in their agreement.

Common Misconceptions Regarding Red Light Camera Enforcement This section to be completed