Study Details

Study Title: Effects of Red Light Running Camera Systems Installation and Then Deactivation on Intersection Safety

Authors: Ko et al.

Publication Date:JUN, 2017

Abstract: Introduction: The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the safety impacts of red-light running camera (RLC) system installation and then deactivation at 48 intersections in Houston, Texas. The second objective is to evaluate the spillover effect at nearby non-treated intersections in Houston after the deactivation. Methods: To accomplish study objectives, an Empirical Bayes (EB) before-after analysis was used. Results: The results indicate statistically significant collision reductions on all red-light running (RLR) crash types (37 percent) as well as right-angle RLR crashes (47 percent) at the treated intersections after RLC activation. By way of comparison, the RLC deactivation analysis indicated that crashes increased by 20 percent for all RLR crash types and by 23 percent in right-angle RLR crashes at the formerly treated intersections. After deactivation, all severity RLR crashes increased more than expected at nearby non-treated intersections, which indicates the possibility of an adverse spillover effect. However, fatal/injury crashes associated with rear-end decreased after deactivation at both formerly treated and non-treated intersections, although those rear-end crashes account for smaller proportions when compared to all crash types/right-angle crashes. Practical applications: Overall, removing RLC treatments results in a negative reaction to the safety benefits that the treatment provides when it is in place and actively working and to the nearby intersections where the treatment has not been implemented. This study helps define the effects that RLCs have on safety at signalized intersections after installation and deactivation.

Study Citation: Ko, M., S. R. Geedipally, T. D.Walden, and R. C. Wunderlich. " Effects of Red Light Running Camera Systems Installation and Then Deactivation on Intersection Safety". Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 62, (2017) pp. 117-126.


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Advanced technology and ITS

Countermeasure: Deactivate red-light camera

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
1.2-204 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.23-234 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.14-143 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.1-103 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban
1.13-133 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban
0.77233 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban
1.28-284 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.27-273 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.48-483 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.2-203 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban
1.26-263 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban
0.56443 StarsOtherK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban

Countermeasure: Install red-light cameras at intersections

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.63374 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
0.53474 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban
1.18-183 StarsOtherAllNot specifiedUrban