Williamsport City Council approves traffic camera access agreement with PennDOT

The City of Williamsport Finance Committee convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss a resolution aimed at enhancing the city's access to real-time traffic information through a partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via PennDOT.

The primary agenda item was a resolution to approve a nonexclusive video sharing license agreement with PennDOT. Sean, a representative involved in the discussion, explained that this agreement would allow city entities, including the Williamsport Police, to access PennDOT's real-time traffic cameras. Currently, access to these cameras is limited to brief snippets available on 511.com, requiring constant reloading. The new agreement would provide a dedicated login for continuous streaming of the camera feeds.

The cameras will be particularly beneficial during events such as Little League games, where temporary traffic cameras can be set up by PennDOT. Sean noted that the city already has two permanent cameras in place, one at The Spur and another on the Market Street Bridge. The agreement would enable city officials to monitor traffic conditions live, which could assist in incident management and public safety.

Committee members inquired about the costs associated with the agreement. Sean confirmed that there would be no financial burden on the city, as access to the cameras is free of charge. The system is web-based, requiring only an internet connection for city employees to log in and access the feeds.

Further discussions clarified that while the cameras provide live views, they do not allow for recording or reviewing footage. This limitation means that the cameras are primarily for real-time monitoring rather than archival purposes. The committee expressed support for the resolution, highlighting its potential benefits without imposing additional costs or obligations on the city.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that the agreement would enhance the city's operational capabilities, particularly in traffic management and public safety, while remaining cost-effective. The committee plans to move forward with the resolution in the upcoming city council meeting.