Overview of Automated Enforcement in Transportation

00751257016281781998PDFTech ReportAutomated enforcementTraffic law enforcementTraffic control devicesRed light runningTraffic signalsIntelligent transportation systemsTraffic controlTraffic lightsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationTurner, ShawnPolk, Amy E.Texas A&M Transportation InstituteJet Propulsion LaboratoryUS Transportation CollectionAutomated enforcement is seen by some public agencies as a means to combat aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding or running red lights. Based upon a review of automated enforcement programs worldwide, several elements were found to be important in successful programs: public education and awareness, involvement of local judiciary, and passage of enabling legislation. The use of automated enforcement has met with opposition in some locations that has centered around a number of issues such as privacy, distribution of ticket revenue, ticketing procedures, and effectiveness of automated enforcement. The ultimate success of automated enforcement will not rely on the technology so much as how the technology is applied and how transportation professionals interact with state and local legislators, local judiciary, and the public when implementing automated enforcement. Sidebars highlight a number of automated enforcement issues: using automated enforcement to reduce speeding, portable radar trailers, automated enforcement at highway rail grade crossings, automated enforcement in Australia, and the case for red light cameras. 10 p.85