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Council committee advances automated red-light enforcement ordinance for five intersections
Summary
Public Safety Committee advanced a bill authorizing automated red-light cameras at five intersections after staff said the system is expected to reduce angle crashes and would operate as a civil enforcement program approved by PennDOT with a 60-day warning period.
Councillor Diaz presented Administration Bill 8 to authorize automated red-light camera enforcement at designated intersections after staff said the program is a safety tool and not a revenue generator for the city. Cindy McCormack of Public Works explained the system: cameras mounted at signals record red-light violations, police review images to confirm violations, and citations are mailed to the registered vehicle owner as civil offenses that do not add points to a driving record. The nut graf: The ordinance would place cameras at five intersections selected for high crash counts attributed to red-light running (King & Lime, King & Water, Columbia & West End, Lime & Walnut, and Manor/Hershey & West End). Staff said PennDOT must approve the locations and the program includes signage, a 60-day warning/education period and an appeal process; fines do not enrich the city beyond reimbursable program costs. Proponents pointed to Vision Zero goals and crash-reduction studies that show red-light camera programs can reduce injury crashes and angle collisions. Councilors asked detailed questions about how violations are determined (an entry into the intersection after the light is red), whether right-turn-on-red violations could be captured (staff: yes, if configured for that movement), and how appeals would function. Public commenters raised concerns about administrative burdens and wrongful tickets; staff said PennDOT approval and vendor selection processes include safeguards and the city will report annually to PennDOT. The committee moved the ordinance to full council for Oct. 14 consideration by voice vote.
