[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 25677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11780]



[[Page 25677]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Guidance on Red Light Camera Systems

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of guidance.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the FHWA and the NHTSA have issued 
guidance on the installation and use of red light camera systems. The 
guidance, ``Guidance for Using Red Light Cameras,'' is available at the 
following URLs: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlcguide/index.htm and 
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm. As the use of cameras to issue citations to motorists 
running red lights is becoming increasingly widespread throughout the 
United States, the installation and operation of these cameras has been 
inconsistent. The agencies intend for this guide to provide relevant 
information on implementation and operational concerns of red light 
camera systems to State and local agencies in order to promote 
consistency nationwide.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FHWA: Mr. Hari Kalla, Office of 
Safety, HSA-10, (202) 366-5915, or Mr. Raymond Cuprill, Office of the 
Chief Counsel, HCC-30, (202) 366-0761. FHWA office hours are from 7:45 
a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For 
NHTSA: Mr. Earl Hardy, Office of Traffic Injury Control. NTI-122, (202) 
366-4295. NHTSA office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Both offices are located at 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's 
home page at http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing 
Office's Web site at http://www.access.gpo.gov. An electronic version 
of the guidance document may be downloaded by accessing the FHWA Web 
site at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlcguide/index.htm and/or the NHTSA 
Web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm.

Background

    The use of red light cameras for the enforcement of red light 
running violations at signalized intersections is becoming increasingly 
widespread in the United States, beginning with the first U.S. 
installation in New York City in 1992, and reaching more than 75 
jurisdictions by the end of 2002. \1\ State and local agencies have 
found that the use of red light cameras can reduce red light running 
violations by motorists from 20 percent to over 50 percent .\2\ The 
rapid deployment of red light cameras across the United States has been 
viewed by some as a single, fix-all, solution to the growing concerns 
about red light running and crashes attributable to red light running. 
This belief may lead to the inappropriate use of red light camera 
systems and inaccurate assessment of actual intersection safety 
problems.
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    \1\ Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Red Light Camera in 
Action, is available at the following URL: http://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/rlc_cities.htm.
    \2\ Public Technology, Inc, ``Is Photo Enforcement For You? A 
White Paper for Public Officials'', is available for purchase at the 
following URL: http://www.pti.org .
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    Appearance of fairness in the use of red light cameras, in a 
broader perspective, can provide support for other forms of technology 
used to improve transportation operations and safety. Therefore, the 
FHWA and NHTSA have developed guidance on the implementation and 
operation of red light camera systems in the United States. Although 
not a regulatory requirement, the guidance is intended to provide 
relevant information on implementation and operational concerns of red 
light camera systems to State and local agencies in order to promote 
consistency nationwide and to ensure that this effective tool, and 
other forms of technology, remain available to transportation agencies 
around the nation.
    The guidance is designed to assist State and local agency managers, 
transportation engineers, and law enforcement officials in identifying 
and addressing safety problems resulting from red light running within 
their jurisdictions. The guidance provides proven and effective 
practices that have been implemented throughout the United States, and 
generally provides procedures that can be followed to ensure that 
effective, efficient and fair solutions are implemented.

Conclusion

    The FHWA and the NHTSA provide this guidance as a tool for those 
jurisdictions interested in implementing red light camera systems. This 
guidance identifies the recommended circumstances and methods by which 
red light cameras should be installed. The guidance, ``Red Light Camera 
System Guidance'' is available electronically at the following URLs: 
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rlrcguide.htm and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/guidance03/introduction.htm and it is available 
for copying and inspection at the U.S. Department of Transportation 
Library, Room 2200, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 401; 49 CFR 1.48(n); 49 CFR 1.50(b).

    Issued on: May 2, 2003.
Jeffrey W. Runge,
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
J. Richard Capka,
Deputy Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-11780 Filed 5-12-03; 8:45 am]
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