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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXPAND RED LIGHT ENFORCEMENT ON POYDRAS STREET

Section: Community

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXPAND RED LIGHT ENFORCEMENT ON POYDRAS STREET

ACTIVATION OF CAMERAS TO START NEXT WEEK

New Orleans, LA (July 8, 2008) – The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works today announced that red light cameras currently installed eastbound on Poydras Street at St. Charles Avenue, westbound Poydras Street at Magazine Street and westbound Poydras Street at Carondelet Street will become active on Monday, July 14.

The ultimate goal of the red light camera program is to decrease the number of drivers who run lights. Since the launch of the program in April, the rate of violation has decreased dramatically at the intersections where the lights are located. Pre-enforcement data indicated that 205 red light violations were taking place daily at the nine monitored intersections.

In April, immediately after enforcement was announced, the number of violations dropped to 130 per day. In June, the violation rate dropped to 90 violations per day. The intersection with the greatest drop in violations was Loyola Avenue at Poydras Street, which recorded a 75 percent reduction in red light violations.

“We anticipate that this program will be a success according to the recent data collected by ATS,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “To date, we have recorded a reduction from 205 daily violations to 90 daily violations. This decrease confirms our intent of creating safer streets in our city.”

The traffic enforcement system is an automated system that employs a combination of digital still and video cameras and detection equipment at a given signal approach or span of roadway. Each day, a commissioned officer reviews all alleged violations and relevant images and video to determine if a violation occurred. If the officer determines a violation has occurred, citations are issued to the registered owner.

When the owner receives the violation, it includes a payment voucher for payment by mail, a phone number for payment by phone and a website address for electronic payment. The citation includes pictures and details of the violation as well as an e-mail link to review the pictures and video online. In the event the owner wants to contest a citation, they may contest by mail or go to an administrative hearing center located at 1340 Poydras Street, 8th floor, for a live hearing on or before their payment due date.

American Traffic Solutions (ATS) was awarded the contract to administer the program by submitting the lowest bid on May 31, 2007 to the City’s solicitation for bid. Locally, ATS will utilize ETI, Inc., for construction and maintenance services. ETI, Inc., is a New Orleans-based minority firm.

Quick Facts

Violation fines (excluding $35 cost of enforcement fee)

Traffic Control Signal Violation – $100
Late fee for unpaid violations – $75 (vehicles with unpaid violations past the second notice are boot-eligible and subject to immobilization fees)

About the Comprehensive Photo Traffic Safety Program

The New Orleans City Council passed ordinance No. 22,526 on February 1, 2007, that was ratified by Mayor Nagin on February 22, 2007. The ordinance allows for automated traffic enforcement and sets up civil penalties for violators. The ordinance allows for automation of traffic signal violations and speed limit violations.

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