ABERDEEN — The Township Council is considering the installation of red-light cameras to address concerns about problematic intersections.
“There have recently been significant crashes at the intersection of Highway 35 andAmboy Road,” Police Chief John Powers said in an interview on July 20.
Powers said residents have raised concerns about other intersections as well and said that when members of the council expressed interest in learning about red-light cameras, he arranged for several vendors to speak to the council. A representative of American Traffic Solutions
(ATS) made a presentation to the council at the July 19 workshop meeting.
Charles Callari, the N.J. Regional Business Development director for ATS, explained the benefits of the cameras as well as the potential revenues for the township.
He told the council that other municipalities that have implemented the red-light cameras have seen an improvement in driving habits and a significant reduction in accidents.
“We are seeing a considerable reduction in crashes. Obviously, people are starting to change their driving behavior and reflect the monitoring of those locations.” Callari said.
According to Callari, the volume of traffic violations is considerably higher when the program first goes into effect, but after six months the number of traffic infractions and accidents begins to decline. “In some cases, the number gets cut in half,” Calleri told the council, but he pointed out that the towns still see a revenue gain in fines for traffic offenses.
ATS receives an agreed-upon amount per camera, and there is no out-of-pocket expense for the municipality, with all costs paid by the traffic fines, he said.
“We install, maintain and operate the technology through the life of the contract,” Callari said. “We would take our portion of the revenue from the violation that is generated.”
He estimated that Aberdeen could see anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in revenue per month per intersection after ATS fees.
“If we agree upon a set fee and that set fee does not come in, we do not charge you the difference,” Callari explained.
Callari explained that ATS installs the cameras, which are set on poles as much as 100 feet from an intersection to monitor the intersection from various angles.
“We have two cameras. One camera captures the still image and then we capture the scene photo of the entire movement of the vehicle,” Callari explained. “The A-shot shows all four tires of the vehicle behind the stop line when the violation is captured. The B-shot shows the vehicle going through the intersection.”
Callari further explained that the photo and video images are then sent to ATS headquarters in Arizona, where they determine if the incident was a violation. Then the evidence is sent to the police department, where an officer would review it to ensure the violation took place. A summons is then issued.
“What happens if the owner is not driving the car and they receive a ticket and they don’t want to pay?” Councilman Owen Drapkin asked.
“From an operational standpoint, we are not seeing that happening,” Callari replied.
“I heard of an incident where the cop disregarded the red light and began to direct traffic,” Councilwoman Margaret Montone said. “You would see that on the camera?”
Callari said the review process would address those concerns.
“When our guys are reviewing it, they would know what to look for. On top of that, the police department would have to sign off on it, and they would see the entire scene,” Callari said.
“I pull into the intersection to make a turn and the light changes; that is all part of it?” Montone asked.
Callari explained, “The device only activates when the light turns red and all four tires of a vehicle pass over the white line. Even if two tires are over the white line the mechanism doesn’t fire.”
The council will continue to consider whether the use of red-light technology would be effective in Aberdeen, with another vendor scheduled to make a presentation.
“It is still early to make any decisions.” Mayor Tagliarini said. “This is the first time we have listened to anything about this, and it wouldn’t be fair to the community.”
One resident at the meeting voiced his concern.
“I am in favor of red-light cameras. I have nothing against them, and anybody who goes through red lights should get a summons,” Ben Defibaugh said. “You have to realize that anybody who gets a summons is going to say this is a money-making scheme.”
Aberdeen is among several municipalities interested in the use of redlight cameras. Eatontown and Middletown have adopted ordinances to install the cameras at major intersections.
Tagliarini said the committee plans to get feedback from the community before any decisions are made.
Another vendor is expected to make a presentation at the next Township Council meeting on Aug. 2.