The following information provides an overview of:
- Why the City of Kansas City, Mo., implemented a Red-Light Safety Camera Program
- Where red-light safety cameras are located
- How the red-light safety camera system works
Why implement a Red Light Safety Camera Program?
Red-light running is a problem
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2 million crashes annually occur in intersections. In 2006, red-light running resulted in almost 900 fatalities and 144,000 injuries. Traffic studies show that red-light running is a problem at many intersections throughout Kansas City.
Red-light safety cameras reduce red-light running
It is believed than an automated red-light safety camera program will reduce the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with these crashes. In communities where similar systems were implemented, red-light running is typically reduced between 40 and 75 percent.
What is the program's purpose?
The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in Kansas City. The goal of the program is to reduce red-light running violations, crashes, and injuries without impacting City funds.
What is a red-light running violation?
A red-light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red are not considered red-light violators.
Where are the red-light cameras located?
Red-light cameras are now active at the following locations:
- 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway
- W. 79th Street and Wornall Road
- E. 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue
- 39th and Main streets
- E. 19th and Walnut streets
- 27th Street and Southwest Trafficway
- U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and 55th Street
- U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and 59th Street
- U.S. 71 Highway (Bruce R. Watkins Drive) and Gregory Boulevard
- North Oak Trafficway and Vivion Road
- N.W. 68th Street and U.S. 169 Highway
- Winner Road and I-435
- 23rd Street and I-435 (Note: an additional camera will be active July 31, 2009)
- U.S. Highway 71 and Red Bridge Road
- Bannister Road and I-435
- Bannister Road and U.S. Highway 71
- N.E. Barry Road/Missouri Highway 152 and North Flintlock Road
- I-435 and Wornall Road
How does the red-light camera system work?
The system activates when motion is detected just prior to the stop bar AFTER the traffic signal has turned red. The cameras capture two images of an alleged violation, taken from the rear of the vehicle.
- The first image shows the vehicle at the white stop bar and the illuminated red light.
- The second image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the illuminated red light.
- The license plate image is a close-up from one of the images captured.
Data, including the time, date, and duration of the yellow and red light, also is recorded. Cameras also record a 12-second digital video of the violation, including six seconds prior to and six seconds after running the red light.
Why does the camera flash when no one actually runs the red light?
The red-light safety camera system is designed to take two rear photographs of a vehicle that may be committing a violation. The first rear image captures the vehicle prior to entering the intersection with the traffic signal red, and the second image shows the vehicle continuing through the intersection during the red signal phase.
On occasion, a vehicle approaching an intersection with a red light may come to a stop before entering the intersection, yet trigger the red-light camera system, causing the flash to discharge. In addition, a vehicle approaching the intersection making a right turn may not come to a complete stop, but only slow before continuing to turn, triggering the red-light safety camera system and causing the flash to discharge.
Who determines if a violation has occurred?
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department reviews each violation event captured by the red-light camera system and makes the final decision to issue a Notice of Violation. All flash incidents do not equate to a violation.
