SOUTH BRUNSWICK – DOT approval needed for traffic camera change

By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
   The township’s participation in the state Department of Transportation’s Red Light Running Automated Enforcement pilot program is contingent on the agency approving the switch from Henderson Road and Route 1 to Route 522 and Route 1, including Promenade Boulevard, according to township spokesman Ron Schmalz.
   Mr. Schmalz said the township is applying to the DOT to have the location switched.
   If the camera system is not moved to Route 522 and Route 1 from Henderson and Route 1, the township will not be participating in the pilot program, he said.
   ”(The Township) Council doesn’t feel it’s safe (at Henderson and Route 1),” Mr. Schmalz said.
   Motorists who run the red light at the intersection reportedly would have a picture of their vehicle and license plate taken that would be reviewed by a third party company, then reviewed by local police before a ticket would be issued to the driver, according to Mr. Schmalz.
   The red light camera cannot be at Henderson and Route 1 intersection because there is a safety issue with possible rear end collisions, and there needs to be a venue of escape so the vehicles won’t collide, Mr. Schmalz said.
   National studies show red light cameras can cause additional rear-end collisions, and Henderson Road and Route 1 is a two-lane road that has no additional lanes, which means vehicles have no way to safely leave the lane they are in to avoid a collision should a vehicle in front of them stop short for the light, Mr. Schmalz said.
   On the other hand, the intersection at routes 522 and 1 have four lanes going north and south and three lanes going east and west, which provides a venue of escape to avoid rear-end collisions, Mr. Schmalz said.
   The council previously voted and approved the proposal for South Brunswick joining the state’s red light pilot program.
   According to officials, the cameras first were discussed in December of last year and initially were approved by the state as part of a pilot program for the Henderson and Route 1 intersection.
   Mr. Schmalz said more people run red lights, and there were three times as many accidents in 2010 at Route 522 and Route 1 than at Henderson Road and Route 1.
   If the township does not participate in the pilot program, the chance to participate will be given to another city, Mr. Schmalz said.
   Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. monitored the Route 522 and Route 1 intersection for 12 hours May 9 and found 20 left-turn violations at the red light and 34 violations of driving going straight through the red light, according to survey results given to the township by the company.
   Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. is a traffic light camera company based in Phoenix, Arizona, that has more than 20 years experience in traffic light cameras, according to the company’s website.
   During the May 24 council meeting, Mr. Schmalz said that during the 12-hour period, eastbound traffic on Route 1 had six left-turn violations and three violations going through the red light across Route 522.
   Mr. Schmalz said northbound traffic had nine violations through the red light, and southbound traffic had 18 violations going through the red light on Route 1 during the 12-hour period.
   Westbound traffic had four violations of going through the red light and 14 left-turn-on-red violations on Route 1 south during the 12-hour period, Mr. Schmalz said.
   ”The numbers are there, and it’s kind of frightening in a way when you stop and see,” Mayor Frank Gambatese said.
   The council has to do some resolution work for the state to get the venue changed, Mr. Schmalz said.