This report was prepared by the Lake Zurich Police Department Traffic Safety Division. Intersection location and RLR camera approaches identified:

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "This report was prepared by the Lake Zurich Police Department Traffic Safety Division. Intersection location and RLR camera approaches identified:"

Jeffrey Mosley
5 years ago
Views:

POLICE DEPARTMENT 200 Mohawk Trail Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047 (847) 719-1690 LakeZurich.org April 1, 2018 This report is being submitted regarding the red-light cameras.

Our agency has decided to prepare a report each year.

1 POLICE DEPARTMENT 200 Mohawk Trail Lake Zurich, Illinois (847) LakeZurich.org April 1, 2018 This report is being submitted regarding the red-light cameras. According to the Red Light Running (RLR) policy, our agency is required to prepare an evaluation report at the conclusion of one year after the cameras are installed and then every three years. Our agency has decided to prepare a report each year. This report includes the following data for the calendar year of 2017: o Intersection location and RLR camera approaches identified o Date of RLR camera implementation o RLR camera system manufacturer and contractor name o Crash data o Analysis of crash data o Signal timing changes o Recommendations o Summary of adjudication experience and results This report was prepared by the Lake Zurich Police Department Traffic Safety Division. Intersection location and RLR camera approaches identified: o Southbound Route 12 at Miller Road, Lake Zurich o Northbound Route 12 at Miller Road, Lake Zurich o Southbound Route 12 at June Terrace, Lake Zurich o Northbound Route 12 at June Terrace, Lake Zurich o Southbound Route 12 at Route 22, Lake Zurich o Northbound Route 12 at Route 22, Lake Zurich o Eastbound Route 22 at Route 12, Lake Zurich Date of RLR camera implementation: o April 15, 2009 RLR camera system manufacturer and contractor name: o Gatso USA, Inc. ( ) 900 Cummings Center Suite 321-U Beverly, MA Crash data:

2 2016 Route 12 at Miller Road Route 12 at Route 22 Route 12 at June Terrace Head On Rear End Angle Side Swipe Same Direction Side Swipe Opposite Direction TOTAL Route 12 at Miller Road Route 12 at Route 22 Route 12 at June Terrace Head On Rear End Angle Side Swipe Same Direction Side Swipe Opposite Direction TOTAL Analysis of crash data: o The following is an analysis of the crash data from January 1 to December 31, 2017, at the three intersections that have RLR cameras installed which are Route 12 at Miller Road, Route 12 at Route 22, and Route 12 at June Terrace. The traffic crashes are reported by specific categories (Head On, Rear End, Angle, Side Swipe Same Direction, and Side Swipe Opposite Direction). The intersection on Route 12 at Miller Road had a decrease of 12 total traffic crashes. The number of rear-end crashes decreased by nine. Angle crashes decreased from four to one. The side swipe same direction crashes went from zero to two. Route 12 at Route 22 had an increase in the number of traffic crashes. The total number of crashes went from 35 to 46. Rear-end crashes increased from 24 to 41. The intersection of Route 12 at June Terrace had a decrease in total traffic crashes. The rear end crashes decreased from 21 to 13. Angle crashed decreased from five to one. There was an increase in side swipe same direction crashes from two to five. The overall number of traffic crashes has decreased at the RLC intersections from 84 in 2016 to 74 in Route 12 at Miller Road had a total of 21 crashes in 2016 and nine 2

3 crashes in Route 12 at Route 22 had 35 crashes in 2016 and 46 crashes in Route 12 at June Terrace had 28 crashes in 2016 and 19 crashes in While comparing the number of rear-end crashes at each intersection from 2016 to 2017, there was an increase of 17 crashes at the intersection of Route 12 and Route 22. Traffic crash reports were analyzed from both years to review the primary and secondary contributory causes. In 2017, there were ten crashes indicating the primary or secondary cause was due to distraction inside the vehicle, to include unlawful use of electronic devices. Where in 2016 there were only two cases. The number of Unlawful Use of an Electronic Device citations issued by the Lake Zurich Police Department in 2016 is 163, compared to 156 in It is difficult to determine the exact reason for the increase in rear-end crashes. A number of factors need to be considered. These factors include volume of traffic, police presence, drivers skills, distracted driving, drivers being frustrated or distracted, weather, and the experience level of officers investigating the crash and determining the correct contributing factors. Currently, there is no way to know with certainty how many of the rear-end crashes may have been caused by motorists unlawfully using electronic devices or due to other factors, such as the intersection being equipped with RLR cameras. In reviewing the increased number of crashes on Route 12 and Route 22, it was important to review the contributing causes identified. The following charts list the primary and secondary contributing causes for all the rear-end crashes on Route 12 at Route 22 in 2016 and The contributing causes are selected by officers conducting the investigation. In 2017, there was an increase in the following contributory causes: driving skills/experience and distractions inside the vehicle. The primary contributing cause of cell phone usage, other than texting, is being included as a distraction inside the vehicle, which explains the increase. The categories for contributory causes vary from year to year. This is due to the type of violations identified, witnesses, and officers experience in conducting the investigation Traffic Crashes Route 12 and Route 22 Contributory Causes Primary Frequency Secondary Frequency Distraction Outside the Vehicle 2 Following Too Closely 2 Following Too Closely 3 Weather 9 Turning Right On Red 1 Driving Skills/Experience 2 Weather 4 Unable to Determine 4 Disregarding Traffic Signal 2 Improper Turning 2 Improper Lane Usage 6 Failure to Reduce Speed 7 Exceeding Safe Speed 3 Distraction Outside the Vehicle 1 Failing to Reduce Speed 14 Distraction Inside the Vehicle 2 Not Applicable 6 3

4 TOTAL 35 Total Traffic Crashes Route 12 and Route 22 Contributory Causes Primary Frequency Secondary Frequency Failing to Yield Right-of-Way 2 Following Too Closely 1 Following Too Closely 2 Weather 2 Improper Overtaking/Passing 1 Driving Skills/Experience 7 Weather 8 Unable to Determine 2 Driving Skills/Experience 1 Exceeding Safe Speed 1 Unable to Determine 1 Failure to Reduce Speed 14 Exceeding Safe Speed 1 Evasive Action 1 Failing to Reduce Speed 19 Distraction Inside the Vehicle 3 Improper Backing 1 Not Applicable 15 Distraction Inside the Vehicle 2 Cell Phone Other Than Texting 5 Not Applicable 3 TOTAL 46 Total 46 Signal timing changes: o The signal timings are controlled by IDOT and there were no timing changes made at any of the locations. o Traffic volumes (Illinois Department of Transportation Website): The Illinois Department of Transportation only tracks the average daily traffic counts for state roadways every other year. County roads conduct traffic counts approximately every four years. Therefore, the following statistics are from 2016: 2016 Average Daily Traffic Counts Intersection Number of Vehicles Route 12 at Miller Road (N/B Route 12) 37,800 Route 12 at Miller Road (S/B Route 12) 35,100 Route 12 at Miller Road (E/B Miller Road) 5,850 Route 12 at Miller Road (W/B Miller Road) 3,500 4

5 Miller Road Route 22 June Terrace Administrative Adjudication Hearings Liable Not Liable Non-Suit 2016 Average Daily Traffic Counts Intersection Number of Vehicles Route 12 at Route 22 (N/B Route 12) 44,400 Route 12 at Route 22 (S/B Route 12) 45,800 Route 12 at Route 22 (E/B Route 22) 15,700 Route 12 at Route 22 (W/B Route 22) 21, Average Daily Traffic Counts Intersection Number of Vehicles Route 12 at June Terrace (Route 12 N/B and 45,800 S/B) Route 12 at June Terrace (June Terrace) No Data Available o Summary of adjudication experience and results: o The following is a summary of the adjudication process from January 1, 2017, to December 31, The table reflects all three RLR camera locations along Route 12 and the cross street listed in the chart, the amount of fines paid by violators, fees paid to GATSO for their services, and the outcome of the violations. Paid Violation GATSO S FEES Citation 2017 s January $38, $12, $ February $32, $7, $ March $30, $11, $ April $28, $8, $ May $30, $9, $ June $30, $13, $ July $32, $10, $ August $34, $12, $ Septemb $ er $31, $11, October $29, $11, $ Novembe $ r $36, $9, Decembe $ r $23, $13, Total 4, , $378, $133, $2,

6 o A total of 16,716 violations were submitted by GATSO. Those violations were submitted and reviewed by members of the Lake Zurich Police Department. Of those violations, 4,387 were processed and approved for collections. The remaining 12,329 were rejected and never submitted to the violator. The chart below indicates the reason and number of vehicles that were rejected: Rejected Reasons Count Camera Image 854 DMV Out of Country Plate 5 Erroneous Lane Trigger 5,227 Concurrent Event 15 DMV Dealer Plate 18 Plate Not Readable 1 Blocked/Missing/Government 671 Police Action 5 DMV Vehicle Information Missing 32 Plate Not Readable Unclear Make 60 Bicycle 124 DMV Returned Invalid 301 DMV Vehicle Mismatch 72 Turned Right Cautiously 678 Weather 100 Emergency Vehicle 51 Funeral/Procession Line 9 Vehicle Stopped 1,897 DMV Owner/Address Info Missing 2 Amber Light 1,395 Green Light 665 Plate Not Readable State Unclear 147 o Recommendations: o Upon reviewing the traffic crash data, RLR violations, and adjudication results, it is the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Division to conduct more significant analysis by reporting all data in the same time intervals (converted to monthly averages for all categories) while reporting data with more specificity (traffic volume and crashes on northbound (or southbound) Route 12 at Route 22 rather than listing the traffic volume and traffic crashes for the intersection of Route 12 and Route 22 as a whole). The data will be categorized in order to track the number of traffic crashes, the volume of traffic, and the number of RLR citations issued, not at the intersections as a whole, but rather on the individual roadways at the intersections. Our goal is to be able to view the average number of traffic crashes on a specific roadway at a specific intersection while controlling for volume of traffic. In other words, we plan to determine rates of crashes for specific roadways controlled for volume so meaningful comparisons between different locations can be made. Currently, there are no metrics in place to indicate when our agency should install or remove a RLR camera. A recommendation is being made to 6

7 utilize the new categorization and analysis to establish baseline data for intersections with RLR cameras in order to outline metrics to indicate when our agency should install or remove RLR cameras. o Starting in 2017, the Lake Zurich Police Department began a pilot program to reduce traffic crashes at high-crash locations. This program compliments the RLR program. Data taken from crash reports was analyzed by the Traffic Safety Division and provided to patrol officers via a monthly traffic intelligence bulletin. Officers used the information to patrol high-crash areas and focus on the violations that were causing crashes in those areas. As compared to 2016, crashes were reduced by 8.5% (from 804 to 736 crashes). Motor vehicle crashes causing injury were reduced 16.8% (from 101 to 84 crashes). High-crash locations included Route 12 and Route 22, Route 12 and Ela Road, Route 12 and South Old Rand Road, among other locations. Our agency will continue this program. o In reviewing the primary and secondary contributing causes identified in the traffic crash reports, it is necessary to provide in-house training to officers to ensure the proper causes are being identified because this information drives enforcement focus. o The new categorization and analysis of data is a key component to establishing metrics for when to install or remove RLR cameras. However, this important component must also include determining if the violations causing crashes can or cannot be impacted by RLR cameras. In an effort to collect more information surrounding crashes, it is necessary to require officers to ask additional questions. For the purpose of this report, it is especially important to review rear-end crashes occurring at intersections equipped with cameras. Officers should be asking the following questions: 1. Did you stop because it was an intersection equipped with cameras? 2. How far back did you decide to start stopping? 3. Frequency of traveling the particular intersection? 4. Any distractions inside or outside the vehicle? 5. Do you know the speed limit? 6. Did you look in your rearview mirror to see if there were any vehicles behind your vehicle? Gathering the answers to these questions will assist in properly identifying primary and secondary contributing causes. It may also provide some important data surrounding crashes at intersections equipped with RLR cameras. o It is important to continue our education and enforcement efforts at these locations. o Our agency will collect 2018 data in the newly-recommended format while we attempt to reconfigure the 2017 data in the same manner. If the 2017 data can be reconfigured, our agency should be able to recommend metrics at the end of Conclusion: 7

8 With the engineering improvements in reconfiguring roadways and intersections, the installation of the protective left-hand turn lanes, continued enforcement efforts, and the implementation of the RLR program, our community has taken the necessary steps to reduce the risks of serious traffic crashes at these intersections. At this time, there are no foreseeable improvements that could be made at these target intersections. While RLR cameras cannot decrease overall traffic volume, speed, and proximity of vehicles entering an intersection or the amount of turning traffic volume, RLR cameras and RLR camera photo enforcement warning signs can have the ability to reduce traffic crashes and improve compliance with traffic control devices. Our agency will continue to monitor the designated locations and continue with traffic studies to identify any potential risks or hazards. At this time, an in-depth analysis has been inconclusive in pinpointing the specific causes of intersection-related crashes. However, the in-depth analysis has revealed ways in which we can better collect, categorize, and analyze available data in order to provide meaningful recommendations in the future. Disclaimer: The motor vehicle crash data referenced herein was provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, based upon information derived from multiple sources. Any conclusions drawn from analysis of the aforementioned data are the sole responsibility of the data recipient(s). Additionally, for coding years 2015 to present, the Bureau of Data Collection uses the exact latitude/longitude supplied by the investigating law enforcement agency to locate crashes. Therefore, location data may vary in prior years, since the data prior to 2015 was physically located by bureau personnel. Given the subjective nature of the reporting process, the modifications in the incident locating protocols and the changes to the crash reporting thresholds effective 2009, the Village acknowledges the potential for discrepancies in the final conclusions drawn. 8

Albany NY Red Light Camera Locations and Activation Dates 1 Central Avenue & Colvin Avenue

Albany NY Red Light Camera Locations and Activation Dates 1 Central Avenue & Colvin Avenue Westbound 8/28/2015 2 Central Avenue & Henry Johnson Boulevard Eastbound 2/16/2016 1. Description of the locations