Council approves $9.9 million amendment with Alabama Power for cameras, license‑plate readers at four railroad crossings

The Birmingham City Council voted Sept. 30 to approve a second amendment to the city's master contract with Alabama Power to add public‑safety video surveillance equipment, including license‑plate recognition cameras and solar panels at four railroad crossings, increasing the city's total payment obligation under the agreement to not exceed $9,904,068.02.

Councilor Smith asked for more information about the four locations and the cameras' purpose. A staff member said the item is part of a Trainfo project in Pro Tem Alexander’s district and that the cameras will be installed at railroad crossings to work with devices that detect and communicate when trains are blocking intersections. The staff member said the cameras will be connected to the Real Time Crime Center and will serve as a secondary verification method for the train‑detection devices.

Councilor Williams asked why cameras were linked to the Real Time Crime Center for train crossings; staff replied the cameras provide "a second authentication" for the train device and that the city would also receive the broader benefit of live footage if other incidents occur in the area. Councilors were told the effort is a pilot project funded in part with ARPA funds and designed as a five‑year project to produce evaluative data about effectiveness and potential future expansion. The council approved the amendment.