Byberry and Bustleton adding insult to intersection -

[Bixbyte]

Eye in the Sky
By William Kenny 08/15/2012 2:02 pm

— Red-light cameras reduce accidents, but questions have arisen about how intersections are picked.

For an instant, you might think you’re reliving a scene from Saturday Night Fever when you see the flashing white lights creating a strobe effect in your rearview mirror.
But then you remember that you’re not on the dance floor and there’s no shiny disco ball overhead. Rather, you’re in the middle of a traffic intersection and may have just earned a $100 fine for blatantly disregarding a red signal — or perhaps mistiming the duration of a yellow.

As for the strobe, that’s the flash from an automated red-light camera taking photos of your license plate.

Philadelphia’s red-light camera program has been a source of controversy since the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which administers the cameras, first installed them at three Northeast intersections in 2005.

Since then, 21 more intersections have been added to the program, bringing the citywide total to 24, including 11 in the Northeast. A 25th intersection, also in the Northeast, will be added by year’s end. And just last month, Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation that extended state approval for the cameras for five years, through July 15, 2017.

A PLUS OR A MINUS?

Much of the debate over the cameras has focused on their ability to achieve the stated goal of improving roadway safety. Available data seems to show that they have made Philadelphia roads safer, with an aggregate reduction in vehicle accidents of more than 20 percent at these intersections.

On the other hand, skeptics dismiss the program as an underhanded government revenue-generating mechanism.

In fact, the PPA collected and redistributed more than $13.7 million in violation revenue in fiscal year 2011. Of that total, about $6 million covered the program’s operating expenses, while PPA returned the rest to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for use on highway safety projects throughout the state.

Yet, with the program’s recent extension and expansion in Philadelphia, some motorists and even a state lawmaker here are raising new questions about how and why intersections are chosen for the cameras. Even those involved in the process and those who have reviewed it independently concede that public input and transparency need to be improved.

“No one ever came into my office in four years thinking it’s a good idea to put red-light cameras at Bustleton (Avenue) and Byberry (Road),” said state Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th dist.), who has a district office at 14230 Bustleton Ave., about five blocks north of the often jammed-up Byberry Road intersection.



Boyle learned of the new cameras there only after driving through the intersection one day.



Now, the lawmaker says, he’s starting to get several complaints from constituents about those cameras and others that have been installed but remain in testing mode at two other Northeast intersections.



SAYING GRACE



In addition to Bustleton and Byberry, new cameras are in place at Woodhaven and Knights roads along with Grant Avenue and Academy Road. PPA officials expect those cameras to become fully operational this month. There will then be a “grace period” of 45 days when alleged red-light runners will be issued only warnings.



After that, $100 tickets will be issued to violators, who may choose to pay the fines or appeal the tickets. (Red-light camera violations do not result in points on a motorist’s license or higher auto insurance premiums.)



New cameras will soon be installed at the intersection of Byberry and Worthington roads, too.



Under state law, red-light camera locations must be “agreed upon” by the PPA as well as the state’s secretary of transportation. Sites also must be approved by passage of a city ordinance.



However, for practical purposes, no single entity is responsible for initiating consideration of a site.



“We [at PPA] look at some intersections. Council members have asked us to look at some intersections. [And] citizens have asked us” to look at some, said PPA Executive Director Vince Fenerty.



THE DECISION MAKERS



Recommendations are based on the perceptions that certain intersections are particularly dangerous or have a lot of red-light violations.



For example, City Councilman Brian O’Neill said he proposed a study of the Byberry and Worthington site last year after two women, ages 21 and 22, died in a fatal crash there. The intersection is highly traveled and is near a sharp bend in Byberry Road, O’Neill said.



However, a red-light violation was not identified as a factor in the one-vehicle crash. Rather, the driver was intoxicated when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a pole, killing her two passengers. The driver survived and is serving a state prison sentence of six to 12 years.



Nonetheless, O’Neill (R-10th dist.) consulted with nearby residents, who generally supported the idea of red-light cameras there, he said. Fenerty, who lives in the Far Northeast, joined in the unscientific survey.



“We spoke to residents last fall,” he said. “We knocked on doors. I did it myself.”



The support was “overwhelming” for the cameras, Fenerty said.



From there, it became the PPA’s and PennDOT’s job to determine if cameras were viable and warranted at the site. Again, there was no stated formula.



PPA’s red-light camera vendor, Mulvhill/American Traffic Solutions of Scottsdale, Ariz., conducted a “mechanical study” of the Worthington Road site, as it has at other prospective camera locations. Using automated equipment, the vendor counts how many red light violations occur in a specific time period, although individual violators are not tracked or ticketed, Fenerty said.



This process is independent of subsequent camera installation and testing. Cameras will not be installed if the rate of violations is deemed too low, Fenerty said. But there is no absolute threshold.



“If there are six violations in a day, it doesn’t qualify. It doesn’t have the potential for accidents,” the PPA director said. “At some intersections, there have been hundreds.”



NOT ALL CORNERS QUALIFY



At one point, PPA and its contractor did a study at Knights Road and Frankford Avenue that did not yield a high number of red light violations, so cameras were not installed there.



Meanwhile, officials also inspect the intersection to see if it has adaptable traffic signals, if it is free of low-hanging power lines and if there are sites where camera poles can be installed. Sometimes, curb cuts and other obstacles don’t allow for a proper camera configuration.



Knights Road and Frankford Avenue is one of many intersections where cameras were proposed but did not materialize.



When Pennsylvania’s red-light camera law first took effect in 2005, the enabling legislation listed nine Philadelphia intersections for consideration as camera sites.



Cameras were installed at three of those intersections that year, followed by a fourth location in January 2011. Five sites recommended in the original state legislation still do not have red-light cameras.



A report last year issued by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee, while crediting the program for reducing red-light violations and crash frequency, found that, “A potential negative with the current law is that it neither defines any intersection criteria nor requires an engineering study to be performed.



“Having this in place would confirm that there are no existing problems with the existing traffic signals, etc., at proposed [red-light camera] intersections. This would also improve accountability, as selection criteria would ensure consistency and transparency with the public.”



Boyle’s main problem with the intersections recently chosen is that they bear little resemblance to the sites along Roosevelt Boulevard for which the program was originally intended. The Boulevard is a 12-lane U.S. highway surrounded by dense commercial and residential development.



Intersections like Bustleton and Byberry or Byberry and Worthington are narrower two-lane or four-lane roads. At peak hours, traffic jams — not high speeds — are the norm.



“Before moving forward, I would like to see some evidence that they’re needed there,” Boyle said. “We have to make sure that the decisions where they’re being placed do relate to safety.” ••



Broad Street Media LLC - Eye in the Sky

[mixiboi]

Just for future reference, don't copy and paste the entire article. Even tho you gave the link to the article, it is still rude and disrespectful to the content owner, as why would anyone click on the link when the article is here?

My suggestion is to just take the parts that you want to discuss and leave the rest behind the link. That way it makes everyone happier. Lol


On the red light cameras, they are a mess..but I feel less offended because they are no longer just here in Philly and across the entire state, which the west tried to stop because they hate us. Lol

[Bixbyte]

Just for future reference, don't copy and paste the entire article. Even tho you gave the link to the article, it is still rude and disrespectful to the content owner, as why would anyone click on the link when the article is here?

My suggestion is to just take the parts that you want to discuss and leave the rest behind the link. That way it makes everyone happier. Lol


On the red light cameras, they are a mess..but I feel less offended because they are no longer just here in Philly and across the entire state, which the west tried to stop because they hate us. Lol

_________________________________
CUT and paste I also left the nice authors name. His article is great.
But sadly, I can not google the Northeast Times news.

The intersection Byberry and Bustleton now has a red light camera was obviously decided by someone that never drove by Here in NE Philly.
Just to make money on tickets at the 3 mile wait and backup location that the State of PA never fixed.
Vote all these arseholes in Harrisburg out of office.
NE Philly is a $100 bill for the stupid politicians.
How about a TURN on RED sign to allow the backup to be 1 mile instead of 3 MILES!

[carloss]

And the red-light camera cancer keeps on growing...

Like most recent intersections to get these, Byberry & Bustleton doesn't need cameras at all. Fix the f*****g lights and add left turn signals for Byberry if you want to reduce accidents and congestion. Hopefully, though, you can still cut through Lewis St. to get to Bustleton without getting any grief.

[Bixbyte]

And the red-light camera cancer keeps on growing...

Like most recent intersections to get these, Byberry & Bustleton doesn't need cameras at all. Fix the f*****g lights and add left turn signals for Byberry if you want to reduce accidents and congestion. Hopefully, though, you can still cut through Lewis St. to get to Bustleton without getting any grief.

__________________________________________________ ____
Carloss WE have to kick these a**Hole politicians out of Office.
I have been saying fix the TRAFFIC LIGHTS for 40 Years.
Imagine a turn on red at Grant and the BLVD.
That would eliminate the right lane traffic jam and 10 minute wait.
All that smog, pollution, wasted gasoline and Nutters Dream for the GREENEST CITY.
BUT No, These Bums in office just want to $100 fine the good people of City of Brotherly Love.

[Polar Cub]

Looks like Borbeck + R Blvd will be getting one too.

[Bixbyte]

Looks like Borbeck + R Blvd will be getting one too.

Most of these red light cam are making money on the NO TURN ON RED sign.
In order to make $$$$ from the no turn on red at Gary Barbera autoland.
This is in the middle of nowhere and there are never any pedestrians crossing.
If they would allow a turn on red we could allow better traffic flow, lower pollution and save gasoline.
Progress in the Big City.

[mixiboi]

Center City Top Place for Red Light Tickets in Philly | NBC 10 Philadelphia

Part 3: Redlight Camera Controversy « CBS Philly

Who Cares If Red Light Cameras “Pay for Themselves?” - Keystone Politics

Flashing yellow on red-light cameras » Editorials » The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Beat a Red-Light Camera Ticket in Philly | The Philly Post

The only slam-dunk, ethical way to get the ticket dropped is if they mailed it to you late. Check the date: Was it mailed 30 days after the violation occurred or after they discovered you were the vehicle’s owner (90 days if you’re out of state)? If that’s the case, fight that thing because the law says the ticket is no good.

However, if that’s not the case, you can still move to Plan B and bring a list of questions to your hearing. According to the law, the answers to the following questions all have to be “yes” for the ticket to be valid:

Was the ticket issued after the first 60 days of the camera’s operation?
Was the ticket issued by a Philadelphia Police Officer with primary jurisdiction over that area?
Is there a clear warning sign of the camera posted before the intersection, and if so, was it installed at least 60 days prior to when the violation occurred?
Is the yellow light at that intersection timed in accordance with the speed limit?

At this point, if you’re still out of luck and know you actually ran the light, ethics would say it’s time to take your medicine.

[Bixbyte]

center city top place for red light tickets in philly | nbc 10 philadelphia

part 3: Redlight camera controversy « cbs philly

who cares if red light cameras “pay for themselves?” - keystone politics

flashing yellow on red-light cameras » editorials » the tribune democrat, johnstown, pa

beat a red-light camera ticket in philly | the philly post

Time to eliminate the old politicians.
Out with the old, in with the new.

[iamtoocool]

Woodhaven and Knights I am not too worried about. Then again I don't know if there is a history with that intersection.

Bustleton and Byberry they should do a traffic pattern similiar to South West Philadelphia such as Bartram and Island ave where one side of traffic. I totally agree with Bustleton and Byberry. When coming from Philmont rd area it is a bitch due to two way traffic.

It's just another way for the city to make more money and screw over the residents.

[Bixbyte]

Woodhaven and Knights I am not too worried about. Then again I don't know if there is a history with that intersection.

Bustleton and Byberry they should do a traffic pattern similiar to South West Philadelphia such as Bartram and Island ave where one side of traffic. I totally agree with Bustleton and Byberry. When coming from Philmont rd area it is a bitch due to two way traffic.

It's just another way for the city to make more money and screw over the residents.

__________________________________________

Out with the OLD in with the NEW.

Someone should run for CITY of Philadelphia Traffic court judge.
Campaign promise:
I WILL FIND YOU INNOCENT IF YOU APPEAL A RED CAMERA LIGHT TICKET.
Providing you did not do anything else and you were not within 200 feet of a Church or School.
Teach those hard up city and state workers a lesson for squeezing money out of the privilege to live and/or work in the City of Philadelphia.
The pursuit of happiness and WE THE PEOPLE ...
We have to stop these lazy politicians from bullying the residents of Philadelphia around.
CITY AND STATE ARE DESPERATE NEED OF NEW MONEY.
We need Change in government officials and a lesson must be made.
WE (ARE) THE PEOPLE. WE ARE THE CONSTITUTION.
The Roosevelt Blvd and Bustelton Ave need to be fixed and not use as a revenue stream like state runned casinos and lotteries.
Next the state will be legalizing POT, gambling and prostitution.

[mixiboi]

Cant make money if you don't run a red light..stop way before when you see it is yellow and you will be fine...

[save19115]

Cant make money if you don't run a red light..stop way before when you see it is yellow and you will be fine...

AGREED!!! I am SICK, TIRED, and PISSED OFF at those who seem to believe it is their constitutional right to run red lights potentially endangering me and everyone else.

STOP and the camera doesn't get you. Seems simple enough to me.

I will vote AGAINST any politician who tries to take down the cameras. I can see the positive impact by looking at the intersections of Roosevelt and Grant and Welsh, each used to be pertpetually littered with the debris of dozens of accidents.

Go red light cameras!!!

[Bixbyte]

AGREED!!! I am SICK, TIRED, and PISSED OFF at those who seem to believe it is their constitutional right to run red lights potentially endangering me and everyone else.

STOP and the camera doesn't get you. Seems simple enough to me.

I will vote AGAINST any politician who tries to take down the cameras. I can see the positive impact by looking at the intersections of Roosevelt and Grant and Welsh, each used to be pertpetually littered with the debris of dozens of accidents.

Go red light cameras!!!

_________________________________________

Wait until I rid my CITY of all you old fuddy duddies.
I'll run for traffic court judge and invalidate all those red light cameras.
The drivers are pissed and on my side.
GOT YOU!

[19152]

AGREED!!! I am SICK, TIRED, and PISSED OFF at those who seem to believe it is their constitutional right to run red lights potentially endangering me and everyone else.

STOP and the camera doesn't get you. Seems simple enough to me.

I will vote AGAINST any politician who tries to take down the cameras. I can see the positive impact by looking at the intersections of Roosevelt and Grant and Welsh, each used to be pertpetually littered with the debris of dozens of accidents.

Go red light cameras!!!

I'm with you. Those two intersections were dangerous before. They definitely are better now since the cameras were put up.

[darthsinatra]

Here's what's next.

New type of traffic camera slated for D.C. - WTOP.com

[Bixbyte]

Here's what's next.

New type of traffic camera slated for D.C. - WTOP.com

_______________________________

The stats in 2010 for the City of Philadelphia are:

People killed in auto accidents in the city - 84

People murdered in the city - 306 (2011 was 324)

Obviously the Red Light Camera is a scam run by the crooked politicians.
They will be voted out of office.
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