A proposal to generate $2.7 billion a year for transportation in Pennsylvania recommends allowing traffic enforcement cameras at intersections and in construction zones across the state.
But PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch says the cameras wouldn't be intended as moneymakers.
"We want to reduce (speeding) violations and improve safety," Schoch said last week during a stop in Cranberry.
A report released in July by the state Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, whose members Gov. Tom Corbett handpicked, said red-light cameras reduced intersection crashes by an average of 25 percent in cities nationwide. The cameras photograph the license plate on a vehicle that runs a red light, and program administrators mail traffic tickets to violators.
Philadelphia is the only Pennsylvania city with the cameras. The Legislature did not approve a proposal to allow cameras in other cities last year.
Philadelphia began its program in 2005, after studies showed two intersections along busy Roosevelt Boulevard were among the most dangerous in the country.
"When we first implemented the program, it wasn't about the revenue. It was about trying to save lives on the most dangerous strip in Philadelphia," said Linda Miller, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
The authority administers the program with 35mm digital cameras at 19 intersections. Chris Vogler, the authority's manager of red-light photo enforcement, said no fatalities have occurred at intersections with cameras.
Last year, the cameras generated 127,514 citations and 5,605 warnings that raised almost $11.5 million, on almost $6 million in expenses. Under the law allowing cameras, Philadelphia can cover its costs but must split any extra money collected with the state.
In April, Pennsylvania used $8.4 million built up over years to award 106 grants to communities for traffic safety projects. The state gave Western Pennsylvania more than $1.8 million for traffic signs, signals, lights and other improvements. It will distribute another $1.5 million statewide this year.
The advisory commission's report recommends placing enforcement cameras in construction zones, a move it says would save lives and up to $2 million annually because state police wouldn't have to sit in cars with lights flashing to warn motorists to slow down.
"When we first put police by construction zones, it made people slow down. But police don't write a lot of tickets, so that scare tactic has worn off," Schoch said.
Maryland has run a similar program for almost two years. The cameras are installed in vehicles that move between work zones and capture the license plates of vehicles clocked at least 12 mph over the speed limit.
Administration spokesman David Buck said the program reduced work-zone speeding by 70 percent. Through March, it produced about 18,700 citations that generated about $750,000 in fines, or $40 each. Excess money will go to state police for traffic enforcement for three years, and then to the state of Maryland.
"It's been a big success," Buck said.
Although Pennsylvania lawmakers are expected to debate transportation funding this fall, Schoch said implementing camera programs doesn't hinge on passing a major funding package; legislators could approve them individually.
